This is a no doubter. Markelle Fultz is the best player in this Draft by far. He has a great feel for the game and plays at a good rhythm. He is the guy the Philadelphia 76ers were going to trade up for. And for good reason. He can do it all.
Perhaps stealing the 76ers’ thunder is the rumor the Chicago Bulls and Minnesota Timberwolves are close to a deal that would send Jimmy Butler to the Wolves. We will see how that affects the draft. Minnesota picks seventh, right after the Magic.
Another easy pick. Lonzo Ball is the second best player in this Draft. No young point guard may control the pace of a game quite like Ball. He can shoot the ball well and is a great passer. For all the bluster coming from his camp, Ball is a hard worker who has a great feel for the game. This is a fantastic pick.
Meanwhile, we have a trade:
The Bulls have agreed in principle to deal Jimmy Butler to the Timberwolves, per source.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) June 22, 2017
The Bulls are getting Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn and the 7th pick, per sources. Bulls keep 16th pick.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) June 22, 2017
We finally saw a big deal. And it is a doozy. One that shifts a major All-Star player to the Western Conference’s most promising young team, giving them a veteran that should make them players and ready to compete for a Playoff spot. And it significantly weakens one of the Eastern Conference’s Playoff teams.
This is the first big decision for the Draft. I would have taken Josh Jackson. I think he is a better fit defensively and can play a role immediately for the Celtics as they try to compete for a championship. This is still a good pick. Jayson Tatum is a great isolation scorer. It is definitely a different pick for a team that needs help now. Maybe a trade is in the works.
The plot thickens…
Indiana and Boston are engaged in serious talks on a Paul George trade, league sources tell @TheVertical.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 22, 2017
Josh Jackson is probably my favorite prospect in this Draft. I love his feel for the game. He is a strong defender and a great attacker to the basket. He has to improve his shooting, which might be a concern in Phoenix. But considering that team with so many young, long wings, Jackson will find a perfect.
So far the draft has gone exactly as I expected in my mock draft — four for four! — the Magic are likely to have their pick between Dennis Smith and Jonathan Isaac.
The NBA Draft has gone according to plan. The Sacramento Kings get their point guard. And a darn good one.
The Orlando Magic are on the clock…
And they take Jonathan Isaac. Thoughts coming soon…