It’s too early for definitive conclusions, but what might the 2017 NBA Draft lottery look like if it happened today?
For Philadelphia 76ers fans, the 2017 NBA Draft is quickly becoming a nightmare. After trading a future pick to move up and select Markelle Fultz first overall, the former Washington standout has forgotten how to shoot. Now, we’re left wondering what his future holds at the NBA level.
That alone has left many around the league baffled. The man who was touted as the best point guard prospect since Kyrie Irving somehow, someway — whether it be shoulder-related or not — changed his shooting mechanics in the worst way possible. The fact that we don’t know how it happened makes it even worse.
But that isn’t the only intriguing storyline from this year’s draft class. There’s also a ton of impressive talent outside of Fultz, something many projected given the depth of this year’s class. Rick Carlisle is even comparing it to the 1984 draft.
There are plenty of players with star potential, both in the lottery and outside of it. Kyle Kuzma was the 27th pick and now he’s a key part of the Lakers’ future. O.G. Anunoby went 23rd and looks like a stud on both ends for a much-improved Raptors team.
All of those storylines lead us to now, the season’s midway point. It’s too early for concrete assessments of any player (even Fultz), but we do have a solid sample size to work with. The sheer depth of talent makes re-drafting this class even more challenging/entertaining/impossible.
Let’s dive in and give it a shot.