2017 NBA Draft Big Board

 I’m 19 days late on the December Big Board. There’s ton of changes in this big board than the other big boards because I changed my mindset in scouting players by now just looking at traits and not just raw numbers or what players do vs. top teams. I watched some football and basketball and saw the latter is not as reliable as what a player can do on the court. Also, this is a list to ones I believe should/expected to declare. Here goes my Big Board,

1.) Markelle Fultz – He’s the best player/prospect in this class, it’s not even really close at this point. He have elite size, athletic ability, and go-to scoring moves that you don’t see as a 18 year old. He have the best traits in this years class. Every time he touches the ball he gets better. It’s insane from watching him in the Elite 24 to the McDonals All-American Game to Jordan Brand All-American Game to USA Basketball to playing now at Washington and how much better he is now in such a short amount of time. 

2.) Dennis Smith Jr. – This might be a little controversial because a lot believe Ball is either the best or second best point guard in this class. In my opinion and how I look at players now, I would rather have a player that can get you 24+ a night over a guy that would only give you 14 a night. Smith Jr. is the second best scoring prospect in this class and has impressed with his schooting ability

3.) Jonathan Isaac – He’s my riser. He’s 6’11" 215 with a 7’1"+ wingspan and have a lethal stroke from 3 point line. What seperates Isaac from Jackson and Tatum is that Isaac have positional versatility, shooting touch, and his potential. In all the aspects Isaac has the edge over the other 2 freshman.

4.) Josh Jackson – About any other draft he would be number one, but this is a very special class. He is the second best passer in this class, behind Lonzo Ball. He have a special trait in having an elite motor and have a toughness. He’s what we wanted Andrew Wiggins to be in that area. He got that lable when he was in High School, but I see more of Tracy McGrady.

5.) Lonzo Ball – He dropped on my list, not becaue of his play, but his skill set. Of course he’s a phenomenal passer and have outstanding court vision, but his scoring potential worry me for a potential number one overall pick. He only scored one time this year from mid range. Most would say that’s a good thing because the most effecient shots are at the rim and three point line. I say it’s a bad thing because he shown no pull-up moves to suggest that he can be a top notch scorer and nothing more than Ricky Rubio with a jumper.

6.) Frank Ntilikina – The gap between 5-6 is pretty big because of the unknowns in the next  couple spots. Frank Ntilikina has been killing overseas from the games and highlights that I saw. He possesses elite tools and has really grown to be a great three point shooters. Out of all the point guards in this class, he’s the best defender out of the group. What concerns me is that he don’t possess an advance handle, which limits his scoring potential and make me question if he’s actually a point guard or a shooting guard.

7.) Harry Giles – I know he’s been bad this year and have not gotten into form, but he’s an elite talent when he’s 100% healthy. I’m not knocking him down because of his injury and I have him this high because of what I saw in high school and his natual abilities.  

8.) Malik Monk – Been on the hype train since he was in high school and he have been proving me to be right in how he is a lethal shooter and elite scorer. At this point in time I have concern that he can translate to be a point guard. He didn’t shown the ability to run the team next to De’Aaron Fox. If he’s able to show point guard abilities, he would go to #6. Reminds me of Zach LaVine/JR Smith

9.) De’Aaron Fox – He’s been phenomenal in running the show at Kentucky and he should be a top 10 pick this summer. He don’t show elite abilities like Ball, Fultz, and Smith Jr., but he shown that he can be great at the next level. I have concern with his scoring ability due to his jumper and the ability to finish at rim, even though he’s hitting a high number.

10) Lauri Markannen –  I never seen anything like him at the college level. Being 7′ and having the jumer he has is pretty phenomenal. He’s like a 7′ Kyle Korver with his ability to come off screens and being able to shoot it. He shoots 45% from 3 as a 7′, that’s a need in today’s NBA. He have a lot of weaknesses, but his potential impact at the next level is evident.

11.) OG Anunoby – He’s not posting up huge numbers, but he have the size, athletic ability, and IQ to be a lethal role player in this league. He can play both forward positions in the league and be great at both. He have everything but a handle, if it improves he would have the ability to be a all star.

12.) Jayson Tatum – Probably the most controveral player on my list. Some have Tatum as high as top 3, but I don’t see it. He have great tools and an impressive mid range game, but I don’t see top level NBA talent. He’s not the playmaker Jackson is and don’t have the potential as Isaac does. His lack of explosion and 3 point shot have him at 12.

13.) TJ Leaf – Arguably UCLA best player, he’s been awesome this season and have really impressed me. He have an expremly high motor, great rebounder, can block shots, and can shoot the ball. That screems top level NBA talent.

14.) Ivan Rabb – He won’t WOW you, but his motor is unmatched. He have an translatable skill that will have him see the court early on.

15.) Miles Bridges

16.) Tyler Lydon

17.) Justin Patton

18.) DJ Wilson

19) Dwayne Bacon

20) Robert Williams

21.) Bam Adebayo

22.) Terrance Ferguson

23/) Luke Kennard

24.) Jaron Blossomgame

25.) Jonathan Motley