Chad Ford's 2017 Mock Draft 1.0

http://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/17360738/chad-ford-nba-mock-draft-10-picks-los-angeles-lakers-philadelphia-76ers-boston-celtics-more

I'll post the top 10 from the article since most of us would feel picking anywhere outside of the top 5 with the Net's pick would be disappointing:

1. Philadelphia 76ers*

Markelle Fultz
Washington
Freshman
Guard

Will the Sixers win the No. 1 pick for a second straight year? It's hardly a sure thing, because they'll be significantly better than they were last season, and they'll have more "competition" for the No. 1 pick.
Regardless of where they land, look for them to consider grabbing the top point guard available in a draft loaded with potential franchise PGs.
Fultz was terrific all summer for Team USA's under-18 squad. Although he isn't currently No. 1 on our Big Board, many scouts think he might end up there by the end of the season. And he can play off the ball as a 2-guard, making him more compatible with point forward Ben Simmons.
Fultz has size, athleticism and one of the most well-rounded games you'll find in an 18-year-old guard.
Odds of winning lottery (if they finish with the worst record): 25 percent
Projected record: 20-62

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2. Boston Celtics (via Nets)*

Harry Giles
Duke
Freshman
Forward

The Billy-King-for-Celtics-MVP campaign continues, as Boston gets richer once again thanks to the infamous 2013 trade with King, the Nets' former GM.
Last year, the Celtics landed the No. 3 pick, Jaylen Brown, with a pick that previously belonged to Brooklyn. This year, the Celtics have the right to swap picks with Brooklyn. Given the Nets' roster, it's looking very likely that this pick will land in the top three or four.

If the Celtics pick here, Giles would be a very strong candidate. He was the consensus No. 1 player in his class before he tore his ACL prior to his senior season. If he's back to his explosive self as a freshman at Duke, he's a steal at No. 2. Think the nextChris Webber.
Odds of winning lottery (via Nets): 19.9 percent
Projected record: 20-62

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3. Los Angeles Lakers*

Josh Jackson
Kansas
Freshman
Forward

The trade for Steve Nash is still hanging over the Lakers franchise.
If the Lakers land in the top three, then they keep their pick, just as in 2016.
If they fall to fourth or lower in the lottery, and they must send the pick to the 76ers. If the Lakers finish with the fourth-worst record, the lottery odds indicate there is a 62.2 percent chance that they'll send the pick to Philly. Right now, our ESPN Forecast crew has them right on the bubble.
If they keep the pick, they must send their unprotected first-rounder to Philly in 2018.
We're assuming for now that they will keep the pick, and want Josh Jackson.
Jackson is actually ranked No. 1 on our Big Board right now. He is super explosive, has an unbelievable motor and competes on both ends of the floor. He's a jump shot away from being a superstar.
Odds of winning lottery: 15.6 percent
Projected record: 25-57

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4. Phoenix Suns

Dennis Smith
NC State
Freshman
Guard

The Suns already have two starting point guards on their roster:Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight. But at least one of them could be gone by the trade deadline or draft day in 2017.
Smith missed his senior season because of a torn ACL but looked like a monster this summer at the Adidas Nations camp. He's the most athletic point guard in the draft.
Odds of winning lottery (via Nets): 11.9 percent
Projected record: 26-56

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5. Sacramento Kings*

Frank Ntilikina
France
Age: 18
Guard

The Kings keep trying to find their way out of lottery purgatory, but our Forecast crew thinks it won't happen this year.
The last thing the Kings really need right now is more rookies. Still, a long-term answer at point guard is on the wish list, and Ntilikina, a pass-first PG from France, is the real deal.
Odds of winning lottery: 8.8 percent (if the Kings move ahead of Philadelphia in the lottery, and are within the top 10, they swap spots with the Sixers)
Projected record: 30-52

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6. Denver Nuggets

Jonathan Isaac
FSU
Freshman
Forward

The Nuggets have stockpiled some serious backcourt talent in the past two drafts. A combination of Emmanuel Mudiay, Jamal Murray and Gary Harris looks like the backcourt of the future.
Isaac reminds some scouts of Brandon Ingram. He's a super tall, super skinny small forward who can shoot.
Odds of winning lottery: 6.3 percent
Projected record: 34-48

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7. Orlando Magic

Lonzo Ball
UCLA
Freshman
Guard

Elfrid Payton might have the starting point guard job right now, but the team could always use long-term depth, and Ball could be a star with a rare combination of elite court vision and scoring ability.
He averaged a triple-double as a high school senior. His game is a bit more a subject of debate among scouts than that of the other point guards on the list, but if he hits, he'll hit big.
Odds of winning lottery: 4.3 percent
Projected record: 35-47

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8. New Orleans Pelicans

Jayson Tatum
Duke
Freshman
Forward

The Pelicans are another team that will be deeply disappointed if they don't make the playoffs, but in a crowded West, someone has to miss out.
Tatum is a prototypical NBA small forward on just about every metric but one: He doesn't have a great 3-point shot yet. Most of his damage is done in the midrange. Given the Pelicans' current lineup, he would be a long-term upgrade at the 3.
Odds of winning lottery (via Knicks): 2.8 percent
Projected record: 35-47

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9. Miami Heat

Ivan Rabb
Cal
Sophomore
Forward

The Heat took a significant step backward this summer, when they lost both Dwyane Wade and Luol Deng. If Chris Bosh can't play again, the Heat's decline could get steeper. But there is still some real talent at this pick.
Rabb had a very strong freshman season at Cal. If he can get stronger and improve his outside shooting, he would be a great fit in Miami, especially as a potential Bosh replacement.
Odds of winning lottery: 1.7 percent
Projected record: 36-46

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10. Milwaukee Bucks

De'Aaron Fox
Kentucky
Freshman
Guard

Jason Kidd has been churning through point guards, and the current crop of Michael Carter-Williams and Tyler Ennis was on the trade block all summer. Although Matthew Dellavedova was a solid pick-up, he isn't the long-term answer.
Fox is often compared to a young John Wall. He's super quick and aggressive getting to the basket. If he can get stronger, cut down on turnovers and improve his jumper, he'd be a very interesting addition.
Odds of winning lottery: 1.1 percent
Projected record: 39-43

I also think as of right now there are two big sleepers in this draft:

- Isaiah Hartenstein, 18, Germany, 6'10" 230lbs

- Omer Yurtseven, 18, Turkey, 7' 230lbs

These guys will rise late like many international players do and freshman who struggle (my money is on Ball and Fox) will fall.

If the worst case scenario for the Celtics is falling to 5 or 6 in this draft and picking Isaac or Tatum, or trading down a bit to a PG desperate team and taking Hartenstein, Yurtseven, Jarrett Allen or Rabb in the 10-14 range it will still be a huge win for the franchise.

Bump