ESPN Insider
Mock Draft 3.0: Top draft picks for Lakers, Celtics, 76ers and more
It's our best stab at a full first-round mock -- assuming every eligible prospect who has yet to state his intentions on the draft declares -- after taking into account team needs and conversations with NBA scouts and general managers.
We'll be using ESPN's Basketball Power Index (BPI) to project the order for Mock Draft 3.0.
1. Boston Celtics (via Nets)*
Markelle Fultz
Washington
Freshman
Guard
Celtics president Danny Ainge was in Seattle last week, watching Fultz go head-to-head with UCLA's Lonzo Ball and USC's De'Anthony Melton. Fultz was good but not spectacular in both games, but blame much of that on a lackluster roster at Washington.
The Celtics don't really need a point guard (they passed on Kris Dunn last year because of how loaded they are at the position). However, I don't think that will stop Boston from drafting Fultz.
Fultz has the size and natural scoring ability to play either the 1 or the 2. And his 3-point shooting should be especially appealing to the Celtics. In the two games Ainge watched, Fultz was 9-for-18 from 3.
Odds of winning lottery (if Brooklyn finishes with the worst record: 25 percent (Boston owns the rights to swap picks with Brooklyn.)
Projected record (Nets): 17-65
2. Los Angeles Lakers*
Lonzo Ball
UCLA
Freshman
Guard
The Lakers are up to a 44.4 percent chance of landing a top-three pick in the draft, according to BPI. That's up 10 percent from last month. So while the odds still favor the 76ers landing this pick, things are looking up for Lakers fans at this point.
Kevin Pelton and I recently went deep on what the Lakers would do if they got the No. 1 pick. Despite the solid play of second-year point guard D'Angelo Russell, both of us felt like they'd grab Ball or Fultz if they were on the board.
Ball is especially appealing to the Lakers. His elite passing ability combined with his unselfishness has the potential to make everyone on the roster better and allow head coach Luke Walton to play the sort of game at which the Warriors have excelled. Russell can swing to the 2 and, along with Ball and Jordan Clarkson, would give the Lakers three ballhandling guards.
Odds of winning lottery: 19.9 percent (Sixers get the Lakers' pick if it falls outside the top three)
Projected record: 27-55
3. Phoenix Suns
Josh Jackson
Kansas
Freshman
Forward
Jackson has been terrific in Big 12 play and has certainly made a strong case for being the No. 1 pick. I don't see teams taking him over Fultz or Ball, but it doesn't mean he's not worthy of such a high selection.
His motor and versatility on both offense and defense make him a high-impact player. And that hitchy jump shot is starting to fall with more consistency this year. He should be a great fit on the wing next to Devin Booker.
Odds of winning lottery: 15.6 percent
Projected record: 27-55
4. Philadelphia 76ers
Malik Monk
Kentucky
Freshman
Guard
Falling to No. 4, paired with the Lakers moving up to No. 2, is a bit of a worse-case scenario for the Sixers when it comes to the draft lottery. But this draft is so loaded, it won't stop them from landing another major building block.
Monk makes a lot of sense for the Sixers. Ben Simmons can play the point, so what they need is a dynamic scorer and shooter to pair with him. Monk is the most electric scorer to come into the draft in some time. He can be streaky, but when he gets going he's difficult to stop. He should be able to instantly transform the Sixers' offense.
Odds of winning lottery: 11.9 percent
Projected record: 27-55
5. Orlando Magic
Dennis Smith
NC State
Freshman
Guard
The Magic are a mess and could end up in a major front office and roster overhaul this summer. That makes projecting team needs a bit difficult.
There are several good options on the board for Orlando here, but Smith seems like a solid fit. Elfrid Payton is up and down and even when he's on, it wouldn't prohibit the Magic from grabbing Smith. Smith's elite athleticism and dynamic scoring ability should give the Magic some real offensive punch in their backcourt.
Odds of winning lottery: 8.8 percent
Projected record: 31-51
6. New Orleans Pelicans
Jonathan Isaac
FSU
Freshman
Forward
The Pelicans are still searching for the right players to complement Anthony Davis. Last year's lottery pick, Buddy Hield, was supposed to be that guy, but so far he has been one of the bigger disappointments from the 2016 draft. The Pelicans opted for now instead of the future -- which is why they passed on Jamal Murray -- and once again it has burned them.
I expect that at some point they have to take a more aggressive and risky swing, and drafting Isaac here represents that. Based on pure upside and talent, he may be a better overall prospect than Brandon Ingram. He just needs to add a lot of strength.
The Pelicans don't feel like they can afford to be patient. But Isaac is worth the wait.
Odds of winning lottery: 6.3 percent
Projected record: 31-51
Mock Draft 3.0: Top draft picks for Lakers, Celtics, 76ers and more
-
Chad Ford ESPN Senior Writer
It's our best stab at a full first-round mock -- assuming every eligible prospect who has yet to state his intentions on the draft declares -- after taking into account team needs and conversations with NBA scouts and general managers.
We'll be using ESPN's Basketball Power Index (BPI) to project the order for Mock Draft 3.0.
1. Boston Celtics (via Nets)*
Markelle Fultz
Washington
Freshman
Guard
Celtics president Danny Ainge was in Seattle last week, watching Fultz go head-to-head with UCLA's Lonzo Ball and USC's De'Anthony Melton. Fultz was good but not spectacular in both games, but blame much of that on a lackluster roster at Washington.
The Celtics don't really need a point guard (they passed on Kris Dunn last year because of how loaded they are at the position). However, I don't think that will stop Boston from drafting Fultz.
Fultz has the size and natural scoring ability to play either the 1 or the 2. And his 3-point shooting should be especially appealing to the Celtics. In the two games Ainge watched, Fultz was 9-for-18 from 3.
Odds of winning lottery (if Brooklyn finishes with the worst record: 25 percent (Boston owns the rights to swap picks with Brooklyn.)
Projected record (Nets): 17-65
2. Los Angeles Lakers*
Lonzo Ball
UCLA
Freshman
Guard
The Lakers are up to a 44.4 percent chance of landing a top-three pick in the draft, according to BPI. That's up 10 percent from last month. So while the odds still favor the 76ers landing this pick, things are looking up for Lakers fans at this point.
Kevin Pelton and I recently went deep on what the Lakers would do if they got the No. 1 pick. Despite the solid play of second-year point guard D'Angelo Russell, both of us felt like they'd grab Ball or Fultz if they were on the board.
Ball is especially appealing to the Lakers. His elite passing ability combined with his unselfishness has the potential to make everyone on the roster better and allow head coach Luke Walton to play the sort of game at which the Warriors have excelled. Russell can swing to the 2 and, along with Ball and Jordan Clarkson, would give the Lakers three ballhandling guards.
Odds of winning lottery: 19.9 percent (Sixers get the Lakers' pick if it falls outside the top three)
Projected record: 27-55
3. Phoenix Suns
Josh Jackson
Kansas
Freshman
Forward
Jackson has been terrific in Big 12 play and has certainly made a strong case for being the No. 1 pick. I don't see teams taking him over Fultz or Ball, but it doesn't mean he's not worthy of such a high selection.
His motor and versatility on both offense and defense make him a high-impact player. And that hitchy jump shot is starting to fall with more consistency this year. He should be a great fit on the wing next to Devin Booker.
Odds of winning lottery: 15.6 percent
Projected record: 27-55
4. Philadelphia 76ers
Malik Monk
Kentucky
Freshman
Guard
Falling to No. 4, paired with the Lakers moving up to No. 2, is a bit of a worse-case scenario for the Sixers when it comes to the draft lottery. But this draft is so loaded, it won't stop them from landing another major building block.
Monk makes a lot of sense for the Sixers. Ben Simmons can play the point, so what they need is a dynamic scorer and shooter to pair with him. Monk is the most electric scorer to come into the draft in some time. He can be streaky, but when he gets going he's difficult to stop. He should be able to instantly transform the Sixers' offense.
Odds of winning lottery: 11.9 percent
Projected record: 27-55
5. Orlando Magic
Dennis Smith
NC State
Freshman
Guard
The Magic are a mess and could end up in a major front office and roster overhaul this summer. That makes projecting team needs a bit difficult.
There are several good options on the board for Orlando here, but Smith seems like a solid fit. Elfrid Payton is up and down and even when he's on, it wouldn't prohibit the Magic from grabbing Smith. Smith's elite athleticism and dynamic scoring ability should give the Magic some real offensive punch in their backcourt.
Odds of winning lottery: 8.8 percent
Projected record: 31-51
6. New Orleans Pelicans
Jonathan Isaac
FSU
Freshman
Forward
The Pelicans are still searching for the right players to complement Anthony Davis. Last year's lottery pick, Buddy Hield, was supposed to be that guy, but so far he has been one of the bigger disappointments from the 2016 draft. The Pelicans opted for now instead of the future -- which is why they passed on Jamal Murray -- and once again it has burned them.
I expect that at some point they have to take a more aggressive and risky swing, and drafting Isaac here represents that. Based on pure upside and talent, he may be a better overall prospect than Brandon Ingram. He just needs to add a lot of strength.
The Pelicans don't feel like they can afford to be patient. But Isaac is worth the wait.
Odds of winning lottery: 6.3 percent
Projected record: 31-51
