In the view of NBA general managers and scouts, The league’s 2017 draft is poised to be the strongest in a decade, according to Chad Ford of ESPN.com (Insider-only link), who has updated his big board with profiles of this year’s top 30 prospects. Washington guard Markelle Fultz remains atop Ford’s board, though he acknowledges that it’s no slam dunk that Fultz will be the No. 1 pick in June. Lonzo Ball and Josh Jackson, other candidates for that top spot, held their respective positions at Nos. 2 and 3, while Dennis Smith and Jonathan Isaac moved up to round out Ford’s top five.
Meanwhile, Jonathan Givony’s latest prospect profiles for The Vertical include a player who may be the early frontrunner to come off the board first in the 2018 draft. According to Givony, 17-year-old Luka Doncic is making waves in Europe with his play for Real Madrid this season, having become the youngest player to secure a rotation spot for a Euroleague team since Ricky Rubio in 2007. And so far, Doncic’s production is blowing away Rubio’s, Givony writes.
Let’s round up a few more odds and ends from around the basketball world…
- After appearing in 62 games last season for the Mavericks, longtime NBA big man Charlie Villanueva didn’t re-sign with Dallas or land with a new team in free agency. However, Villanueva doesn’t appear to be ready for retirement yet. The 11-year veteran issued the following tweet on Tuesday: “I want back in #NBAcomeback.”
- Rashard Lewis and Jason Williams will co-captain one of the eight BIG3 teams this summer, according to a press release from the league. The team featuring Lewis, Williams, and three additional players will be known as the 3 Headed Monsters.
- Cliff Alexander, who was in camp with the Magic in the fall and has spent the season with Orlando’s D-League affiliate, was traded on Tuesday. According to a press release, the Long Island Nets, Brooklyn’s NBADL affiliate, acquired Alexander from the Erie BayHawks in exchange for Long Island’s third-round pick in 2017. In 22 D-League games this season for Erie, the Kansas product has recorded 11.9 PPG and 8.0 RPG.
Didnt mention Fox, Monk, or Taytum who are probably right behind those guys, as well as the French PG, and i even like a few of the mid round prospects.
Fox has shooting questions, but the kid can play defense, and he is a bullet, can get into the lane, and get to the line. Also seems like a good decision maker and a good facilitator. Kind of reminds me a little of John Wall, James Harden, Russell Westbrook. Obviously needs to improve the jump shot
Question with Ball is scoring and his mechanics with his jumpshot. Also, he has questions defensively. I like him. He reminds me of Goran Dragic. I sort of see a little of the Kidd comp, but not entirely just b/c he is a good decision maker and a bigger PG. I can’t say that right now
I like Smith Jr. too. Only saw the Duke game where he was amazing, but I can see the Lillard comp, and would throw in Westbrook in there. Remains to be seen how consistent he’ll shoot it, and defensive issues, but I really liked him and thought he showed a good motor and I felt his desire to be great in that game
Josh Jackson seems like a potential all aroundsuperstar if he can fix his shooting mechanics and be more consistent with his jumpshot. Should be a really good defender off the bat. Kind of a taller Winslow.
The top of this draft is going to be really difficult to figure out. There are more than a couple really good players. It’s probably going to come down to work outs and really small details. To be honest, both times I’ve seen Fultz so far, he hasn’t wowed me to the point that he is the obvious clear cut #1, but he has gotten a lot of hype. Definitely hoping to see more of him.
I personally really liked Jonathan Isaac. He reminds me a lot of Kevin Durant, especially defensively, but he needs to improve his ball handling skills, and probaby add a little weight
The French PG you’re thinking of is Frank Ntilikina. Isaac is my favorite player to watch in this year’s draft class. His jumper is so smooth. Plus who doesn’t love the hair? Also wanna point out that a lot of people seem to be sleeping on Rade Zagorac for the Grizzlies. He’s expected to come over next season as a rookie and he’s an all around solid wing player.
Isaac is my favorite so far as well. He immediately jumped out to me