The 2017 NBA Draft class has thus far turned out to be one of the most impressive crops in recent memory. In addition Donovan Mitchell and Jayson Tatum, poised freshmen that played significant roles in the playoffs, there are also a handful of lottery picks with tremendous opportunity for future growth.
ESPN’s Mike Schmitz (Insider) recently profiled a few players from last year’s draft class who showed impressive glimpses during their first year in the pros. Schmitz writes that Lonzo Ball deviated from what made him great at UCLA. If he’s to thrive with the Lakers he’ll need to step up as a spot-up shooter. Last year, the guard spent too much time trying to create in pick-and-roll situations.
Schmitz also discusses Josh Jackson, Dennis Smith and De’Aaron Fox, opting to exclude Markelle Fultz due to the unique circumstances of his rookie year.
There’s more from around the league:
- Sorry Hornets fans, the Charlotte franchise has been ranked as the team with the bleakest forecast over the next three seasons. Bobby Marks of ESPN (Insider) writes that turnover in the front office, coupled with limited financial flexibility, won’t bode well for the team heading forward.
- At a time when journalists scrap to be the first media personalities to tweet about player movement in the NBA, Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard has broken the news for two recent sportswriter job changes. He, alongside CJ McCollum form the most journalistic backcourt the NBA has ever seen.
- After playing one season in China and Puerto Rico, former Thunder guard Semaj Christon is open to playing in Europe, Emiliano Carchia of Sportando tweets.
I’m sure it was just an innocent typo, but the phrase is “won’t bode well” not “won’t bold well.”
Simmons will improve a lot this year, having added some shooting in the summer.
Not sure Mitchell will improve much really.
JT might have a more limited role.
Jackson should improve, Fox might as well with the situation at the Kings & DSJ will benefit by playing with Doncic.
But the most improvement will be by Fultz & it won’t even be close. He will definitely surprise people & become the guy to make the big 3 in Philly, so good they didn’t sign a big FA this summer. I know you guys will think I am crazy but that is what the famed coach Drew Hanlen has said, he has coached many all-star players & he said Fultz will be an all-star this year, so I am all for it, so excited to see how Philly plays this year. #TrustTheProcess#
Just read an article were Paul Pierce is saying that Simmons is the next LBJ, that he has the potential to be that good, Philly must have patience with the young guys & that the future is very bright & exciting for Philly. You see I have been saying all of this for a long time. Philly is gonna be unstoppable.
No one knows. He could just as easily be the next Derrick Rose as well.
Look for Lonzo to rightly claim his first NBA MVP this coming season.
Not if literally anyone else has something to say about it!