Re-drafting the 2017 NBA Draft lottery

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 22: Potential top draftees Lonzo Ball (L), Markelle Fultz (C) and De'Aaron Fox (R) look on before the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 22, 2017 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 22: Potential top draftees Lonzo Ball (L), Markelle Fultz (C) and De'Aaron Fox (R) look on before the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 22, 2017 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
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(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

I’ve always been lower on Fox than most, so 12th feels like a pretty natural landing spot. Reggie Jackson is fading fast and the Pistons are running low on point guard depth, so Fox could easily step in as a short-term backup and long-term replacement.

The concerns with Fox are universally known at this point. He has an impressive blend of speed and agility but lacks a relibale jumper. He showed some flashes of a pull-up mid-ranger at Kentucky, but he hasn’t been terribly consistent with it this season. Being a rookie point guard is tough, though, so he deserves some more time to work things out.

Defensively, Fox hasn’t quite lived up to the hype. His thin frame was always a concern, albeit one that often got overlooked. He makes a lot of rookie mistakes, but the energy and physical tools are there. Future improvement can be expected.