Five Winners From the 2017 NBA Draft
The NBA draft, is a night when teams look to the future by adding the best young talent in the country, and from around the world. This year a new crop of rookies look to make their names on the world’s biggest basketball stage. Here are 5 teams that won the 2017 NBA draft.
- Minnesota Timberwolves:
- Acquired SG Jimmy Butler from the Chicago Bulls
- C Justin Patton – Creighton (16th overall)
No one had a better night than the Minnesota Timberwolves. Jimmy Butler is one of the 20 best players in the NBA, and all they gave up was Zach Lavine, Kris Dunn and the 7th overall pick which became Lauri Markkanen. Minnesota has one of the youngest teams in the NBA, but the addition of Jimmy Butler as a veteran leader should be enough to lead the Timberwolves back to the playoffs.
2.Sacramento Kings:
- PG De’Aaron Fox – Kentucky (5th overall)
- SG Justin Jackson – UNC (15th overall)
- PF Harry Giles – Duke (20th overall)
- PG Frank Mason – Kansas (34th overall)
The Kings have been notorious for having horrible drafts over the past few years. After trading All-star Center Demarcus Cousins to the New Orleans Pelicans for Buddy Hield, Tyreke Evans and the 10th overall pick, it was evident that the Kings were set on a rebuild. The Kings’ great night started with the selection of De’Aaron Fox 5th overall. Fox is a tone setter for the franchise, and an excellent young point guard. Landing Harry Giles, Justin Jackson, and Frank Mason were also great moves.Jackson has the chance to be a solid starter in the league, and if Giles regains his athleticism, he could be the steal of the draft.
3.Charlotte Hornets:
- SG Malik Monk – Kentucky (11th overall)
- SF Dwayne Bacon – Florida State (40th overall)
Charlotte is here in the number three spot for winners for one reason and one reason only: Malik Monk at eleven. Monk is an elite scorer and tremendous athlete. He could’ve easily gone as high as sixth, so to get him at 11 was a great value pick for the Hornets. Monk is the best two guard that the Hornets have had in the Kemba Walker era, so watch for those two to absolutely torch the rest of the league.
4.Philadelphia 76ers:
- PG Markelle Fultz – Washington (1st overall)
- C Andzejs Pasecniks – Latvia (25th overall)
- F Jonah Bolden – Australia (36th overall)
- SG Sterling Brown – SMU (46th overall)
- F Mathias Lessort – France (50th overall)
Philly got the best player in the draft, and lucky for them, he’s also the presumed final piece of “the process”. Fultz is the best point guard Philly has had since Jrue Holiday, and the best scoring point guard since Allen Iverson. Fultz will work mainly off the ball, since former 2016 top pick Ben Simmons will be running the point. The other picks are draft and stash players who will possibly contribute down the line.
5.Atlanta Hawks:
- PF John Collins – Wake Forest (19th overall)
- SG Tyler Dorsey – Oregon (41st overall)
- F Alpha Kaba – France (60th overall)
The Hawks could lose PF Paul Millsap to free agency, and drafting a top 15 prospect like John Collins with the 19th overall pick is a good start to replacing him. Collins stood out his sophomore season at Wake Forest by averaging a double-double, by being a strong rebounder and for having a decent jump shot. If the Hawks do not retain Millsap, look for Collins to start right away for the rebuilding Hawks.
