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The NBA season is over, which means the 2017 NBA Draft is the focus of the basketball world.
Speaking of, the international deadline to withdraw from the draft has passed, and with it came several major prospects pulling out. That included a pair of likely first-round selections in French center Jonathan Jeanne and Barcelona forward Rodions Kurucs.
Jeanne is exiting the draft due to a heart condition that may sadly end his basketball career. He was almost a lock to be drafted in Round 1 and was being mocked as high as the mid teens. Kurucs simply withdrew after being projected as first-round selection in the 20s wasn’t good enough for him.
Needless to say, both of those guys exiting the draft helps Bam Adebayo’s chances of being drafted in Round 1. For much of the pre-draft process, Bam was being projected in the late first/early second-round range, but with the draft nearing, he’s being consistently mocked in the first round.
That includes the latest mock draft from ESPN’s Chad Ford, where Bam goes 20th overall to the Portland Trail Blazers:
20. Portland Trail Blazers (via Grizzlies)
Adebayo is steadily rising back up draft boards and a very strong pro day has scouts buzzing again, especially at the terrific feet that allow him to guard multiple positions.
It’s also looking like De’Aaron Fox will be the first Wildcat to hear his name called in this year’s draft. In his most recent mock, Ford has Fox going fourth overall to the Phoenix Suns:
4. Phoenix Suns: De'Aaron Fox
With Jackson off the board, Fox seems like an ideal fit. The Suns are loaded with offensive talent. Getting Fox's defensive versatility, intensity and play-making should really improve the Suns and open the door to an Eric Bledsoe trade.
It’d be unfortunate to see Eric Bledsoe traded if that’s how it plays out. He’s become a very good guard in Phoenix and played at an All-Star level in recent years. It’s more likely Brandon Knight will get dealt, as Phoenix just has too many Kentucky guards to keep all of them.
After Fox, Malik Monk is the next Wildcat to go off the board at ninth overall to the Big Apple:
8. New York Knicks: Malik Monk
Monk may be the highest upside player and best fit of the group. If he lands here, Knicks fans will love him when he heats up.
Here is how the entire first round played out:
1. Boston Celtics (via Nets) - Markelle Fultz
2. L.A. Lakers - Lonzo Ball
3. Philadelphia 76ers - Josh Jackson
4. Phoenix Suns - De'Aaron Fox
5. Sacramento Kings - Jayson Tatum
6. Orlando Magic - Jonathan Isaac
7. Minnesota Timberwolves - Lauri Markkanen
8. New York Knicks - Malik Monk
9. Dallas Mavericks - Dennis Smith
10. Sacramento Kings (via Pelicans) - Frank Ntilikina
11. Charlotte Hornets - Donovan Mitchell
12. Detroit Pistons - Luke Kennard
13. Denver Nuggets - OG Anunoby
14. Miami Heat - Zach Collins
15. Portland Trail Blazers - Harry Giles
16. Chicago Bulls - John Collins
17. Milwaukee Bucks - Ike Anigbogu
18. Indiana Pacers - TJ Leaf
19. Atlanta Hawks - Jarrett Allen
20. Portland Trail Blazers - Edrice Adebayo
21. Oklahoma City Thunder - Justin Jackson
22. Brooklyn Nets - Justin Patton
23. Toronto Raptors - Andzejs Pasecniks
24. Utah Jazz - Tony Bradley
25. Orlando Magic - Frank Jackson
26. Portland Trail Blazers - Isaiah Hartenstein
27. Brooklyn Nets - Terrance Ferguson
28. Los Angeles Lakers - D.J. Wilson
29. San Antonio Spurs - Jordan Bell
30. Utah Jazz - Tyler Lydon
And here’s a look at the latest mock from DraftExpress, which also features Fox to the Suns and Monk to the Knicks:
1. Boston Celtics (via Nets) - Markelle Fultz
2. L.A. Lakers - Lonzo Ball
3. Philadelphia 76ers - Josh Jackson
4. Phoenix Suns - De'Aaron Fox
5. Sacramento Kings - Jayson Tatum
6. Orlando Magic - Jonathan Isaac
7. Minnesota Timberwolves - Lauri Markkanen
8. New York Knicks - Malik Monk
9. Dallas Mavericks - Dennis Smith
10. Sacramento Kings (via Pelicans) - Frank Ntilikina
11. Charlotte Hornets - Luke Kennard
12. Detroit Pistons - Donovan Mitchell
13. Denver Nuggets - Zach Collins
14. Miami Heat - John Collins
15. Portland Trail Blazers - OG Anunoby
16. Chicago Bulls - Justin Jackson
17. Milwaukee Bucks - Jarrett Allen
18. Indiana Pacers - Ike Anigbogu
19. Atlanta Hawks - Justin Patton
20. Portland Trail Blazers - Harry Giles
21. Oklahoma City Thunder - TJ Leaf
22. Brooklyn Nets - Andzejs Pasecniks
23. Toronto Raptors - Terrance Ferguson
24. Utah Jazz - Edrice Adebayo
25. Orlando Magic - Isaiah Hartenstein
26. Portland Trail Blazers - Semi Ojeleye
27. Brooklyn Nets - D.J. Wilson
28. Los Angeles Lakers - Tyler Lydon
29. San Antonio Spurs - Jordan Bell
30. Utah Jazz - Derrick White