Yeah, I think so.
From ESPN Insider
Mock Draft 1.0
Chad FordESPN Senior Writer
The next draft class looks absolutely loaded. Check out where the next generation of stars is likely to land.
For NBA execs and scouts of teams such as the Sixers, Lakers and Celtics, it's never too early to start talking draft. And to help determine the most likely draft order, we have the ESPN Summer Forecast.
Remember: In a mock draft, we don't tell you where a player should go, but rather what each team in the draft will likely do with its pick. If you want a ranking of players............
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
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 next Chris Webber.
Odds of winning lottery (via Nets): 19.9 percent
Projected record: 20-62
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
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
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
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
From ESPN Insider
Mock Draft 1.0
Chad FordESPN Senior Writer
The next draft class looks absolutely loaded. Check out where the next generation of stars is likely to land.
For NBA execs and scouts of teams such as the Sixers, Lakers and Celtics, it's never too early to start talking draft. And to help determine the most likely draft order, we have the ESPN Summer Forecast.
Remember: In a mock draft, we don't tell you where a player should go, but rather what each team in the draft will likely do with its pick. If you want a ranking of players............
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
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 next Chris Webber.
Odds of winning lottery (via Nets): 19.9 percent
Projected record: 20-62
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
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
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
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
