NBA AM: 2017 NBA Mock Draft 4/20/2017

More Mocking Of The Draft

As we have done virtually every Thursday, it’s time to take another look at the 2017 NBA Draft. The NBA broke all of the ties this week, so until the actual NBA Draft Lottery on May 16, the draft order is basically set.

While there are still three days before the Early Entry Deadline, several players have already made their draft intentions clear, with a number of named guys opting to return to school for another season. These include:

Allonzo Trier, G, So., Arizona
Robert Williams, PF, Fr., Texas A&M
Grayson Allen, SG, Jr., Duke
Bonzie Colson, PF, Jr., Notre Dame
Devonte Graham, PG, Jr., Kansas
Dedric Lawson, F, So., Memphis
Tyus Battle, PG, Fr., Syracuse
Marques Bolden, C, Fr., Duke
Miles Bridges, F, Fr., Michigan State
Bruce Brown, SG, Fr., Miami
Chimezie Metu, C, So., USC
Malik Pope, F, Jr., San Diego State

There are some dates to keep in mind as more and more teams drop into draft mode, April 23 is the NBA Early Entry Deadline by which all underclassmen who wish to declare for the 2017 NBA Draft must submit their names to the NBA. The NCAA requires all players wishing to return to school after “testing the waters” to do so no later than May 24th. The 2017 NBA Draft Combine is set for May 9 to May 14 in Chicago. The 2017 NBA Draft Lottery will be May 16, with the actual draft itself set for June 22 in New York.

So, with that out of the way, let’s dive into my latest NBA Mock Draft, featuring all 60 picks:

There are a few notable first-round trades to keep in mind as it pertains to where picks are currently slated based on the final regular-season standings.

The Boston Celtics have the right to swap picks with the Brooklyn Nets, who would currently hold the top overall pick if the draft lottery holds true to the final standings.

Philadelphia does have the right to swap picks with Sacramento. However, their own pick is currently more favorable.

Sacramento gets the New Orleans Pelicans’ first pick as part of the DeMarcus Cousins trade—it is top three protected for the 2017 draft and would convey to the Kings based on the final standings.

Philadelphia is currently owed a first-round pick from the Lakers, which is top-three protected. If the draft lottery holds true to the final regular season standings, it will not convey this year.

Chicago is owed a pick from Sacramento, which is currently top-10 protected. If Philadelphia passes on the swap rights on the pick, the pick will not likely convey to Chicago, based on the final regular-season standings. This mock draft currently reflects the pick staying with the Kings.

The Portland Trail Blazers will receive the Memphis Grizzlies’ first round pick for their role in the Mason Plumlee deal with Denver just before the deadline. Denver obtained the pick in the Timofey Mozgov trade with the Cavaliers in 2015.

The Brooklyn Nets will receive the Washington Wizards’ first-round pick as part of the Bojan Bogdanovic trade at the deadline.

The L.A. Lakers receive the Houston Rockets’ first-round pick as part of the Lou Williams trade to Houston at the trade deadline.

The Orlando Magic received the Los Angeles Clippers’ first-round pick as part of the Serge Ibaka deal with Toronto. The Raptors obtained the pick from the Milwaukee Bucks as part of the Greivis Vasquez trade in 2015. The Magic will receive the lesser of the two picks Toronto controls, the Clippers pick and their own. The Clippers pick is currently the least favorable.

The Utah Jazz will receive the Golden State Warriors’ pick from the Andre Iguodala salary dump that sent Andris Biedrins, Richard Jefferson and Brandon Rush to the Jazz to clear room to sign Iguodala in 2013.

More Twitter: Make sure you are following all of our guys on Twitter to ensure you are getting the very latest from our team: @stevekylerNBA, @MikeAScotto, @LangGreene, @EricPincus, @joelbrigham, @SusanBible @TommyBeer, @MokeHamilton , @jblancartenba, @Ben_Dowsett, @CodyTaylorNBA, @SpinDavies, @BuddyGrizzard, @JamesB_NBA, @DennisChambers_, and @Ben__Nadeau .