In 2017, we may see a draft class that contains the greatest collection of point guards in the history of the league, according to Chad Ford of ESPN.com (ESPN Now link). Ford added that as many as four point guards could be selected in the first five picks. Here’s a brief breakdown of the point guards who could have their name called early on draft night:
- Markelle Fultz is expected to be the top pick in the draft, according to Jonathan Givony of Draft Express. He averaged 23.2 points and 5.9 assists per game while sporting a 27.9 player efficiency rating during his lone season in Washington. His massive wingspan, coupled with his ability to make plays, should allow his game to translate to the next level. However, he wasn’t able to elevate his college team to the NCAA Tournament and he struggled against better competition, which are worrisome factors when evaluating the young prospect.
- Lonzo Ball is not better than Stephen Curry. He is one of the best point guards in the draft and if you can get past all the noise his father is making, you can see why teams are placing Ball near the top of their draft boards. There aren’t many 19-year-olds who can control the game the way Ball does. His passing ability and court vision are top-notch and it wouldn’t be shocking if he’s the first player to have his name called in the upcoming draft.
- Dennis Smith Jr. is an explosive athlete with great awareness on the court. He’s not the best shooter and like Fultz, Smith wasn’t able to get his team into the NCAA Tournament. Ford has him going to the Magic with the No. 5 pick in his latest mock draft.
- De’Aaron Fox outdueled Ball and UCLA to lead his team to the elite eight. Fox is one of the fastest point guards in the draft. He’s an athletic prospect who excels on the defensive end. If Fox isn’t selected in the top-5, it’ll be because of his shaky jump shot has scared teams off. He made just 23.1% of the 3-point attempts during his lone season at Kentucky.
- Frank Ntilikina is a long-armed, quick point guard from France with a smooth game that should transition well to the league. Givony believes he has plenty of room to grow and adds that the 18-year-old’s versatility and basketball IQ will reward whichever team selects him on draft night.
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Assuming all five of these prospects declare for the draft (Fox can’t declare until his team either wins the NCAA Championship or is eliminated. Fultz and Ball have officially declared. Smith is expected to declare; same with Ntilikina), which point guard selected in the 2017 draft will have the best career?
Don’t limit yourself to just a click of a button. Take to the comment section below to explain your selection. Think another point guard will have a better career than the aforementioned prospects? Let us know and make your case below. We look forward to what you have to say!
This was tough because I think as a pure point guard, Markelle is slightly ahead of Lonzo. That said, I could him Lonzo being a combo guard of sorts in this league and really becoming a star.
Lonzo is going to be the biggest bust since that fat turd the cavs took a couple years back.
Lonzo is going to b really good in the NBA. Fox is electric and exciting. Fultz has a NBA body and looks the part. Not a Dennis Smith fan. He’s a bit overrated. No idea about the French kid. But depending on the surrounding cast all 5 can play.
I’m with ya on all accounts.
Yeah I’m not surprised Fultz struggled with better competition. There’s a very small number of people who can play 5 on 1 and win.
Honesty I think lonzo will have the best career. He had all the tools physically and certainly has the talent. At 6’6″, it just adds to his potential on both ends. He may not have played the greatest game last night, but everyone has an off game. For Ball, it just happened to be the most important game of his short collegiate career. I’m not sleeping on Fox. Needs work on his right hand and shooting.
Fultz & Ball are the only two that can legitimately ball-out no pun intended. Smith should be an average PG, he’s very very ball-dominant though. And Fox, well he can’t shoot – MCW written all over him.
I just don’t want the Sixers to take Fox…. need to stick to Fultz, Ball, or Monk.
Frank Ntilikina is a complete gamble. He’s played 16 MPG in 21 games and not showing much in those minutes.
Maybe he could fall to a team like the nets or another team that’s willing to gamble.
I see the Nets packaging both picks they have and moving up to get him if he falls pretty far down.
Sounds like the perfect Sixers pick
I like the athletic ability of De’Aaron Fox. He showed it when he scored almost 40 against UCLA. Definitely pretty close if not at the level of Fultz and Ball. But that’s just me.
IMHO Ball is the safest bet of the group. It’s going to be interesting to see what Boston does if they do get the number one overall. I could see the Lakers moving up to secure Ball and Boston taking Jackson if played right. Tough time believing the Celtics want to spend the pick on a point guard when it’s currently their strongest position, unless they pull a Sixers and stockpile a position.
They already did that with Rozier, they literally can’t add another guard because Zeller is their 3rd real big man behind Johnson and Olynyk. If the Lakers had Lou Williams still then I think Boston would move down and draft someone else, but I can’t think of anyone appealing on that roster who would incentivize them to move down now. I mean, obviously there’s value there, but not equivalent of moving down a couple spots while still making it worth it for both teams.
The biggest problem with lonzo ball is dealing with LaVar. I could see teams lean away from lonzo if they think his dad will be a headache, both for him, and for the organization, fans, and media
Yeah. I’m less worried about it with Boston because the media will eat him alive so fast he’ll have to shut up.
Lonzo Ball is the best point guard in the draft.
I’m going to go with Fox. He reminds me a lot of John Wall. Wouldn’t be surprised if Ball of Fulz prove me wrong though.
Question with Ball is scoring and his mechanics with his jumpshot. Also, he has questions defensively. I like him. He reminds me of Goran Dragic. I sort of see a little of the Kidd comp, but not entirely just b/c he is a good decision maker and a bigger PG. I can’t say that right now. He plays with great energy, and his teammates will love him. I also like that he plays well off the ball too. Fun to watch. If he consistently knocks down shots like he did in college, he’ll likely be a big star
Fox has shooting questions, but the kid can play defense, and he is a bullet, can get into the lane, and get to the line. Also seems like a good decision maker and a good facilitator. Kind of reminds me a little of John Wall, James Harden, Russell Westbrook. Obviously needs to improve the jump shot. I like him. I think he might be the best all around player of all these guys, to be honest. It’s really going to come down to that jumpshot for him
I like Smith Jr. too. Saw the Duke game where he was amazing, and a few other games, but I can see the Lillard comp, and would throw in Westbrook in there. Remains to be seen how consistent he’ll shoot it, and defensive issues, but I really liked him and thought he showed a good motor and I felt his desire to be great in that game especially
The top of this draft is going to be really difficult to figure out. There are more than a couple really good players. It’s probably going to come down to work outs and really small details. To be honest, 6 of 8 times I’ve seen Fultz, he hasn’t wowed me to the point that he is the obvious clear cut #1, but he has gotten a lot of hype. Definitely was hoping to see more of him, but I don’t think I’d have changed my opinion on him. I’ve heard that a lot of people get turned off by him for the same reasons as me. He doesn’t seem like he is trying all that hard. But that’s how talented he obviously is. He does have a way of making it look easy. Dude takes long strides, and can get to the rim with ease. His jumpshot should also be at least decent-good. He has questions defensively, although he does block shots at his size, and with his motor, as I mentioned. For me, I’m interested to see how he evolves in the NBA style and pace.
Wish I knew more about Ntilikina, but I havent had the chance to see him play, really. I like what I’ve heard, but I can’t comment further on him until I get a chance to see more, probably soon. A couple of his Euroleague games are on the Internet
If we’re only talking about the PGs, I’d say Fultz is the obvious most ready prospect. Ball is right there with him, but I think Fox could end up being better than both eventually, b/c of the other areas of his game…
Then there’s still Josh Jackson, Jonathan Isaac, Jayson Tatum, and Miles Bridges. This is a really fun draft
To be honest none have wowed me sure they’ve had moments but imo all should benefit from at least another year in college but being what it is they will come out faults and all, seems like three years away from being good NBA ers for the Lakers they need a real point guard not a combo move Dlo either to the two or package with a bad contract for a vet. Lakers don’t need any more wins Boston if they have #1 is interesting if I were them I’d trade down get Josh Jackson or and have an extra pick. Ball has never shown the game his father claims lol . Love to see MJ crush him , won’t happen but a PPV hmm
Your underestimating the delusions of the senior ball.