The Official 2017 NBA Draft Talk Thread

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Booker showed you he could shoot at UK but meh on everything else. He's lived up to that profile only now we know he can score at will if he's hot.

Book's underrated when it comes to facilitating.UK slept on him in that regard.

After Tyler Ulis, he's the best passer on the team.The Suns even run him at PG a lot of the time
 

Sensitive Blake Griffin

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Booker showed you he could shoot at UK but meh on everything else. He's lived up to that profile only now we know he can score at will if he's hot.
Uhhh. as someone who watched every single game that season booker was a versatile beast in every offensive aspect. his game was smooth as fukk, needs to work on defense.
 

Sensitive Blake Griffin

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Ntilikina. Monk's been given too much credit for his shooting when in reality, he's just incredible when he blacks out in terms of scoring. He shot worse as the season went along
Monk is a streaky ass shooter at this point. settles for jumpers too often with his athleticism. dude has crazy potential. his defense is fukkong atrocious. he played awful from the sec tournament on.
 

Derek Lee

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Big Board 7.0: New ranking for top 30 NBA draft prospects
Chad Ford updates his rankings of the top 30 NBA draft prospects. Streeter Lecka/Getty Images
10:00 AM ET

With the NBA draft combine in the books and the deadline for NCAA underclassmen to withdraw from the draft coming Wednesday, it's time for another update to our Big Board.

Here's the latest intel on the top 30 prospects after consulting NBA scouts and general managers.

Note: This board projects every player who has declared for the draft. You can follow our in/out list for a complete look at every prospect and his draft stock.

1. Markelle Fultz
Previous rank: No. 1
Washington
Freshman
Guard

Fultz skipped most of the combine, deciding just to do a handful of interviews. It won't matter.

More and more scouts seem to be leaning toward Fultz as the consensus No. 1 pick in the draft. With the Celtics now holding onto No. 1, that only makes his case stronger.

It's not a sure thing that the Celtics will take Fultz No. 1 (nor is it sure they'll even keep the pick), but all signs point to him being the top pick in the draft in a month.

2. Lonzo Ball
Previous rank: No. 2
UCLA
Freshman
Guard

Ball's talent is being eclipsed somewhat by the headlines his father is generating. I was skeptical for months that it would have much of an impact on his draft stock, but at the combine there was a lot of grumbling among scouts.

Still, with the Lakers landing the No. 2 pick, he has a great shot at going No. 2 and the talent to be a star.

3. Josh Jackson
Previous rank: No. 3
Kansas
Freshman
Forward

Jackson wasn't at the draft combine, but it won't affect him much. He seems to be a popular pick among scouts as the third-best prospect in the draft.

The challenge for him will be the Sixers at No. 3. Would they really select another non-shooter given their current personnel?

Perhaps. Coach Brett Brown loves tough-nosed defenders, and Jackson is the best wing defender in this draft.

4. Jayson Tatum
Previous rank: No. 4
Duke
Freshman
Forward

Tatum's scoring acumen and NBA readiness make him a popular prospect. Among NBA scouts and GMs in Chicago, he was actually the favorite to win Rookie of the Year in 2018. He's just got to find the right fit.

Most scouts point to Boston as being the easiest fit for Tatum. Would they be willing to move down a few spots in a trade with a team like the 76ers to get him? I think the Celtics would want a lot more on top of the No. 3 pick to make that swap.

5. De'Aaron Fox
Previous rank: No. 5
Kentucky
Freshman
Guard

Fox was the highest-ranked prospect to show up at the combine and do anything besides interviews. He was measured and did medicals.

His measurements came in a little shorter than expected and his weight still isn't quite cracking 170 pounds. But he was a big hit in interviews for NBA teams and there is a handful of clubs that prefer him to Ball.

6. Jonathan Isaac
Previous rank: No. 6
FSU
Freshman
Forward

Isaac wasn't at the combine but that won't prevent him from going high in the draft.

He has picked up some momentum in recent weeks as teams watch the playoffs and see him as a perfect long-term fit in the positionless modern NBA. I could even see him creeping ahead of Jackson and Tatum with great workouts.

Oh, and our analytics team has him No. 1 on its board.

7. Malik Monk
Previous rank: No. 7
Kentucky
Freshman
Guard

Monk may end up moving up three or four spots on draft night thanks to where the Sixers and Magic fell in the lottery.

He's the best shooter and scoring guard in the draft -- by a long shot.

8. Dennis Smith
Previous rank: No. 8
NC State
Freshman
Guard

Smith's draft stock has been on the rebound the more NBA teams have dug back into his tape and talked to his coach.

His team struggled, but Smith is a ready-made modern NBA point guard. It speaks to the incredible depth of this draft that he still is this low on the Big Board. In other drafts he'd be a top-three pick.

9. Zach Collins
Previous rank: No. 9
Gonzaga
Freshman
Center

Collins' combination of size, athleticism and skill set is super intriguing for NBA teams -- many of which are now projecting him as more of a stretch-4 than a center.

His biggest obstacle is the teams drafting in the top 10 in this draft. Almost all of them are after guards or wings.

10. Lauri Markkanen
Previous rank: No. 10
Arizona
Freshman
Forward

Kelly Olynyk's clutch play against the Wizards in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semis highlighted the value of 7-foot shooters.

Markannen is probably a better shooter and athlete than Olynyk, but the draft is so crowded at the top that the Wolves and Mavs appear to be the only teams that would pick him in the top 10.

11. Frank Ntilikina
Previous rank: No. 11
France
Age: 18
Guard

Ntilkina appears to be almost a lock to go in the top nine with the Knicks (No. 8) and Mavericks (No. 9) hungry for a point guard and in love with his skill set.

Other teams worry that he's moving up the board based on his position and not his talent. But I'll be surprised if he's still on the board at pick No. 10.

12. Harry Giles
Previous rank: No. 12
Duke
Freshman
Forward

Giles showed up at the combine and did the athletic testing, interviews and medicals. The medical evaluations (which teams haven't received yet) will be key.

If he's cleared, he has a great shot at the lottery. If he's red or yellow flagged, he could fall a few spots, depending on what the doctors say. But based on pure talent he remains one of the top prospects in this draft.

13. OG Anunoby
Previous rank: No. 13
Indiana
Sophomore
Forward

You can say the same thing about Anunoby that you do about Giles. Teams love him as a prospect. They just need to figure out how his ACL is healing after his January injury.

If things look promising, he's a potential lottery pick. If they don't, I still think he goes in the high 20s. There's just too much raw talent there.

14. Luke Kennard
Previous rank: No. 15
Duke
Sophomore
Guard

Kennard didn't do the athletic testing at the combine, disappointing some NBA GMs.

But he knows teams aren't drafting him because he's an elite athlete. They want shooting, high basketball IQ and toughness.

Kennard has several teams in the late lottery looking at him. Nos. 12-17 seem to be his range right now.

15. Donovan Mitchell
Previous rank: No. 22
Louisville
Sophomore
Guard

Mitchell had the best combine of anyone, and he didn't play a minute of five-on-five. His elite athletic testing numbers -- combined with a crazy, Dwayne Wade-esque wingspan of 6-10 -- have some lottery teams targeting him now.

He's not the shooter that Kennard is, but he's a better athlete and defender and equally good playmaker. You'll see teams asking those two to workout against each other.

Mitchell also appears to be in that Nos. 12-17 range.

16. John Collins
Previous rank: No. 21
Wake Forest
Sophomore
Forward

Collins produced solid athletic testing numbers at the combine (including an impressive 37.5-inch vertical). But the big key for him will be his ability to prove to scouts that he can stretch the floor.

He didn't do it a lot at Wake Forest, but some scouts think he can make the transition.

17. Terrance Ferguson
Previous rank: No. 16
Australia
Age: 19
Guard

Ferguson did interviews, athletic testing and medicals at the combine. His 38-inch vertical confirmed how explosive he can be. And everyone knows he can shoot the ball.

It's about consistency for Ferguson at the moment, and teams are all over the place on whether he'll be able to put it all together anytime soon.

18. Jarrett Allen
Previous rank: No. 14
Texas
Freshman
Center

Allen's elite wingspan (7-foot-5) and his solid athletic testing numbers helped him at the combine.

However, after interviews some NBA scouts wondered just how long it was going to take him to be an impact player in the NBA. That's caused his stock to drop slightly.

19. Ike Anigbogu
Previous rank: No. 18
UCLA
**Freshman
Center**

Anibogu's freakish 7-foot-6 wingspan is an obvious plus, but he tested below average as an athlete at the combine and that may put a pause in his rise on the draft board.

He's got great length and strength, but as an athlete he is more powerful than explosive.
 

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20. TJ Leaf
Previous rank: No. 17
UCLA
Freshman
Forward

Leaf put up solid numbers in the athletic testing portion of the combine and everyone knows he's one of the most skilled players in the draft.

However, scouts continue to be concerned that his lack of length and lateral quickness will limit his defensive potential.

21. Justin Patton
Previous rank: No. 19
Creighton
Freshman
Center

Patton has great size for his position, but he tested as one of the three poorest athletes in the draft.

He's efficient as a low post scorer and rebounder. Will his lack of explosiveness and foot speed hurt him in the NBA?

22. Tony Bradley
Previous rank: No. 20
UNC
Freshman
Center

Bradley faces the same challenges as Patton.

He's huge and he has a terrific wingspan. He's also a great rebounder and efficient in the paint. But teams worry about his foot speed.

23. Edrice Adebayo
Previous rank: No. 23
Kentucky
Freshman
Forward

Adebayo tested off the charts in his measurements and athletic testing portion of the combine. Teams were also impressed with his interviews.

He seems to be putting himself back into the mix as a mid-first-round pick.

24. Ivan Rabb
Previous rank: No. 24
Cal
Sophomore
Forward

Rabb continues to struggle to gain any real momentum as a draft prospect. Neither his measurements nor his athletic testing numbers wowed teams.

He'll need really strong workouts against players like Adebayo, Allen, Collins and Leaf if he wants to move up in the draft.

25. Justin Jackson
Previous rank: No. 25
UNC
Junior
Forward

Jackson's solid athletic testing numbers should help his stock a bit. For someone often described as a non-athlete, he tested pretty well.

When his jump shot is falling, he's an intriguing prospect, especially if teams are convinced he can defend in the NBA.

26. Jonathan Jeanne
Previous rank: N/A
France
Age: 19
Center

Jeanne was one of the few breakout stars of the combine. He didn't necessarily wow -- except for that huge 7-foot-6.5 wingspan -- but most international players struggle at the combine and Jeanne more than held his own.

He played with toughness and had 14 points, nine rebounds and three blocks in his second game. He now looks like a lock to be a late-first-round pick.

27. Hamidou Diallo
Previous rank: N/A
Kentucky
Freshman
Guard

Diallo posted the second-highest max vertical in draft combine history. He was one of the best athletes in Chicago. Whether or not he has an offensive game to match is the big question.

He has had workouts with the Celtics, Bucks, Bulls and Nets. He could become a top-10 pick in 2018 after another year at Kentucky, but only if he can prove that he can hit his jumper. Scouts are watching closely.

28. Frank Jackson
Previous rank: N/A
Duke
Freshman
**Guard**

Jackson was another winner of the combine. He tested as one of the best athletes there, played well in the first game of the five-on-five and ultimately decided he would hire an agent and go all in.

Many scouts think he has a great shot at cracking the first round as a Jerryd Bayless-type combo guard.

29. D.J. Wilson
Previous rank: No. 27
Michigan
Junior
Forward

Wilson had a quad injury that kept him off the court at the combine, but teams continue to be intrigued by his combination of size, athleticism and shooting.

He's still on the fence about the draft. He could be a potential mid-first-round pick in 2018.

30. Moritz Wagner
Previous rank: No. 26
Michigan
Sophomore
Forward

Wagner played five-on-five at the combine and was just OK. He hit some shots and played hard, but also appeared to be a bit out of shape and his jump shot was really inconsistent.

He probably needs another year at Michigan, but if he stays in the draft he might still crack the first round, especially for a team that wants him as a draft-and-stash prospect.

Next five in
Link: Ford: New ranking for top NBA draft prospects
 

str8up

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I like the move despite the fact he'll probably go early second round.
 

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Who offers up a great player for Boston's pick as we approach the Draft?
:jbhmm:
 

Brozay

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and boston will most likely go :camby:

bulls should be talking to philly,minnesota or phoenix about jimmy.They're too scared to trade him it's about to get ugly for the bulls if they don't
Im not saying the Celtics will take the offer, just that the Bulls will offer it
 

str8up

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Phoenix should only make an offer for Butler if they can't get Josh.
 

Th3G3ntleman

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Why would Tatum be a good fit for Boston? They just drafted Brown.....and if Tatum is playing the 4 in Boston and Horford is still around something went terribly wrong.
 
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