This year’s top overall draft pick, Markelle Fultz, caught the Sixers’ injury bug at the start of his rookie campaign. Fultz is sidelined indefinitely with a shoulder injury, continuing Philadelphia’s tough-luck run with lottery picks.
Despite Fultz’s injury, the 2017 draft class has quickly made its mark. Numerous first-round selections have made major impacts in just a few short weeks.
The second overall pick, Lonzo Ball, may have a broken jumper (31.4%) but he’s lived up to his billing as a prolific distributor (7.4 APG) and surprisingly strong rebounder (6.8 RPG). Ball’s teammate, power forward Kyle Kuzma, has already proven to be a steal with the No. 27 overall pick. Kuzma leads the draft class in scoring (15.2 PPG) and field-goal percentage (51.6%) while tying Ball for third in rebounding (6.8 RPG).
Bulls forward Lauri Markkanen took full advantage of additional playing time due to the Nikola Mirotic–Bobby Portis dust-up. He ranks third among 2017 draft picks in scoring (14.5 PPG) and first in rebounding (7.8 RPG).
The third overall pick, Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, saw his role expand in the wake of Gordon Hayward‘s season-ending injury. He’s provided immediate help (13.6 PPG, 5.8 RPG). The rebuilding Hawks have thrown power forward John Collins into the fire and he’s responded by ranking second to Markkanen in rebounding (7.3) and second in blocks (1.15) while also delivering double-digit scoring (1o.2 PPG).
Ball is far from the only guard in the draft class to show poise beyond his years. Jazz combo guard Donovan Mitchell (13.9 PPG) has earned a starting spot. Dennis Smith (14.8 PPG, 4.9 APG) has been one of the Mavericks’ few bright spots. The Kings’ De’Aaron Fox (11.9 PPG, 5.2 APG) looks like their long-term solution at the position.
Several others, such as the Suns’ Josh Jackson and the Knicks’ Frank Ntilikina, have shined at times.
This brings us to our question of the day: Which 2017 draft pick has impressed you the most during the first few weeks of the season? What has made him a standout?
Please take to the comments section to weigh in on this topic. We look forward to hearing your opinion on this subject.
Malik Monk and Dwayne Bacon from Charlotte have also played well in limited roles.
Fox and Tatum I still think were best in class. At least lakers didn’t waste the #27 pick. Kuzma looks like the steal of draft early on.
MANGOK MATHIANG WILL EAT YOUR BABIES.
Ben Simmons ROY
Looking at the numbers, it would appear that Mitchell, despite unsuper stats, and Joe Ingles have displaced Rodney Hood, who is hitting 38% from 3. Hood should be a better defender in the manner of Paul George. Mitchell will be something when his percentages uptick with experience!
Mitchell was as good a prediction as ’17 surpriser as Swanigan was a bad one as instant Portland starter! TJ Leaf is shooting as advertised but also fouling.
Kuzma is ALSO Philly-tough (the city, not the team) and Tatum’s pre-existing NBA game has not been deterred by the actual NBA. A fine draft year but Simmons might be the ROY!
They said Lonzo’s 31% shooting is 2nd worse since they started tracking numbers.
Ben simmons is the next lebron. He just needs to develop his jumper so he has a decent one. But he is physical and long and get beat up fowards
Kuzma