DRAFT

NBA mock draft 2.0: Post-lottery, is Markelle Fultz or Lonzo Ball at No. 1?

Adi Joseph
USA TODAY Sports
Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz dribbles the ball against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the second half at Wells-Fargo Arena.

NEW YORK — The Boston Celtics are on the clock.

The 2017 NBA Draft isn’t until June 22, but the finalization of the order via Tuesday’s NBA Draft Lottery has many fans already turning toward the new faces they covet for their team. Of course, in an unusual twist, the Celtics are still alive in the playoffs.

Thanks to the Brooklyn Nets and a 2013 trade, they get to add to their riches. Who will the Celtics select first? Team president Danny Ainge isn’t going to be the one to reveal, but the consensus seems clear.

USA TODAY Sports spoke with several NBA executives who requested anonymity in order to keep their draft leanings secret and follow league protocol. The combine helped sort out some of the risers and fallers, but the draft lottery provided more clarity.

Here’s USA TODAY Sports’ Adi Joseph’s updated post-lottery 2017 NBA mock draft, with contributions from Jeff Zillgitt and Michael Singer.

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1. Boston Celtics (via Brooklyn Nets): PG Markelle Fultz, Washington

Find any team that doesn’t have Fultz atop its big board. He has every skill NBA teams are looking for in a point guard, including the ability to play off the ball as needed. The biggest worry is about his motor, but it’s difficult to parse whether that was the result of a focusing issue or playing for such a mediocre college team.

2. Los Angeles Lakers, PG Lonzo Ball, UCLA

The Lakers-Ball pairing has seemed preordained for months, even as they might be better off going elsewhere with the pick. Still, it’s hard to deny the offensive potential that a backcourt of Ball and D’Angelo Russell would provide, as his passing would let Russell play off the ball more, and they both have limitless shooting range.

Kentucky Wildcats guard De'Aaron Fox looks to pass the ball against UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball in the second half during the semifinals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament.

3. Philadelphia 76ers, PG De'Aaron Fox, Kentucky 

The 76ers need a new backcourt, and they more than anyone would love to land Fultz. But Fox, who measured out to be 6-3, 170 pounds, is a freakish athlete who played smart in a system that has been incredibly successful with point guards. “I feel like I’m the best (point guard in the draft),” he said at the combine. “If they drafted above me I’d be fine with it, I’d be cool with it. You still have to play basketball at the end of the day."

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4. Phoenix Suns SF Josh Jackson, Kansas

The Suns are in a tricky spot in their rebuilding process, still trying to figure out exactly what they have in just about all of their prospects. But Devin Booker and whomever they draft now seem to be the centerpieces. Jackson gives them a potential ace defender whose passing is underrated and who won’t take the ball out of Booker’s hands.

5. Sacramento Kings, F Jayson Tatum, Duke

Tatum has the upside to go as high as No. 2, as he’s the most polished scorer in this class. His perimeter skills often place him as a small forward, but he should fit comfortably in the mold of a modern stretch power forward with a little added bulk. The Kings need offensive help in the worst way, though they might prefer a point guard.

6. Orlando Magic, PG Dennis Smith, North Carolina State

Smith fits with the mold of a modern NBA point guard a bit more easily than Ball, Fox, Monk or Ntilikina. He’s an explosive 6-3 with great vision and scoring ability, and the Magic can’t feel like they should stick with Elfrid Payton much longer.

Florida State Seminoles forward Jonathan Isaac reacts after a dunk against the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles during the first half in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

7. Minnesota Timberwolves,  F Jonathan Isaac, Florida State

No player in this class has as much defensive potential as Isaac. That plus his positional versatility make him a nice fit with Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins, as the Timberwolves are one of the few teams in the lottery with two established building blocks.

8. New York Knicks, G Malik Monk, Kentucky

If Phil Jackson wants to remain committed to the triangle offense, Monk makes more sense than any of the traditional point guards who might be available. He’s a natural scorer with dynamic athleticism who could play on or off ball in a triangle setting. He’s also one of the least efficient players being discussed in this range.

Arizona Wildcats forward Lauri Markkanen (10) drives the ball past Xavier Musketeers forward Tyrique Jones (0) during the second period in the semifinals of the West Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament.

9. Dallas Mavericks: PF Lauri Markkanen, Arizona

Markkanen is the latest 7-foot European with a jumper to be labeled the “Next Dirk Nowitzki.” The unique thing this time is that the Finland native actually plays like the Mavericks legend. The scenario in which he could simply slide into the Dallas lineup as Nowitzki prepares to retire would be difficult to pass.

10. Sacramento Kings (via New Orleans Pelicans): PG Frank Ntilikina, France

Ntilikina's 6-5 frame gives him defensive versatility and an emerging jumper could allow him to become a shooting guard in the long term.

11. Charlotte Hornets: SG Luke Kennard, Duke

Other than All-Star point guard Kemba Walker and 31-year-old Marco Belinelli, the Hornets regressed big time on 3-pointers last season. Kennard would fit with team philosophy and need and should be able to play as a rookie, which coach Steve Clifford tends to value.

12. Detroit Pistons: G Donovan Mitchell, Louisville

With Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s restricted free agency and Reggie Jackson’s health situation, the Pistons know they need a guard. Mitchell showed out at the combine, with the best numbers in the sprint and no-step vertical leap as well as a 6-10 wingspan. He’s also a tenacious competitor at either guard spot who has worked hard to improve his shooting and playmaking.

13. Denver Nuggets: C Zach Collins, Gonzaga

Collins, talking with reporters at the combine, admitted he was surprised to see his name on draft boards after just one year at Gonzaga. But he took over the NCAA tournament with his blocked shots and rebounds, and his efficiency statistics are eye-popping. There’s little doubt Collins can be a rim-protector at the next level, but he has the potential to be even more.

14. Miami Heat: F OG Anunoby, Indiana

One game into the college basketball season, Anunoby’s stock was soaring. He’d defensively dominated Jackson and Kansas and shown a 3-point stroke in the process. Were it not for a knee injury that kept him out the second half of this season, he'd be a top-10 pick.

15. Portland Trail Blazers: C Jarrett Allen, Texas

Allen was the fastest and the best jumper of anyone who measured 6-10 or taller at the combine, and his 7-5¼  wingspan was 1¼ inches off the best in Chicago while his hands were second-biggest to Harry Giles. None of that would matter if he didn’t so perfectly project as a rim-protecting, rim-running modern center, a la Tyson Chandler.

16. Chicago Bulls: SF Justin Jackson, North Carolina

A series of trades left the Bulls a bit depleted on the wings, and Jackson fits the profile of what they like to draft: He’s a proven college player with a versatile skill set.

Duke Blue Devils forward Harry Giles grabs a rebound against Troy Trojans forward Alex Hicks during the first half in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

17. Milwaukee Bucks: C Harry Giles, Duke

The Bucks savor high-end potential picks in the middle of the first round. Giles may be the ultimate in that regard. It’s exceptionally rare for a player to be ranked first in his recruiting class and not end up a lottery pick, but a series of knee injuries led to some big questions about Giles. Still, he tested well in the combine, notably handling the agility course faster than any other big man.

18. Indiana Pacers: PF John Collins, Wake Forest

The Pacers want to win now to keep Paul George happy. Collins was an emergent star as a sophomore, and he showed the combination of skill, size and know-how to be a contributor quickly. One question: Will newly empowered personnel head Kevin Pritchard want to swing for the fences now that he’s replaced Larry Bird?

19. Atlanta Hawks: C Justin Patton, Creighton

Patton fits the modern game with his combination of defense, athleticism, handle and shot. Just ask him. “I’m a real versatile five,” he said at the combine. “I can dribble, I can shoot. I’m quicker than most guys. (The game is) changing in my favor, so I’m happy about that.” Give the late-bloomer a couple years behind Dwight Howard, and he might turn into something.

UCLA Bruins guard T.J. Leaf (22) reacts against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Wells-Fargo Arena.

20. Portland Trail Blazers (via Memphis Grizzlies): PF T.J. Leaf, UCLA

Everyone on UCLA put up gaudy offensive numbers last season, but Leaf's were insane by any measure: He made 61.7% of his field goals and 46.6% of his 3s. At the combine, he compared his basketball IQ to a point guard's and noted, "I can score on three levels, which a lot of bigs are not able to do."

21. Oklahoma City Thunder: SF Terrance Ferguson, Australia

Ferguson brings to mind Terrence Ross in that he could win a dunk contest or 3-point contest but has major holes in his game otherwise. Which contest would he try first? “That's tough,” he said at the combine. “I feel like I can with both. That's how my head is right now. I feel like I can win both. But, I'm going to take the three-point contest first.”

22. Brooklyn Nets (via Washington Wizards): PF Jordan Bell, Oregon

No one improved his stock at the combine more than Bell, who was amazing in scrimmages and tested out as quick and athletic. He has the potential to defend at least three and possibly all five positions, an asset in an NBA that hinges more and more on switching pick-and-roll coverage.

23. Toronto Raptors (via Los Angeles Clippers): C Ike Anigbogu, UCLA

None of the college players to enter this draft early were as underwhelming as Anigbogu last season. He averaged 13 minutes and 4.7 points a game thanks to injuries and a deep Bruins team. But the combine validated that his frame is outstanding — at 252 pounds, he had half the body fat of most of the players in his weight class, and his 7-6¼ wingspan was second.

24. Utah Jazz: SF Rodions Kurucs, Latvia

Predicting which team likes which international player is always a challenge, but everyone seems intrigued by Kurucs. He has a smooth game and good size, and as a 19-year-old, he would make an ideal draft-and-stash fit to bring over in two years, when his deal with Barcelona ends.

25. Orlando Magic (via Toronto Raptors): C Bam Adebayo, Kentucky

One NBA executive, who spoke under condition of anonymity for competitive reasons, told USA TODAY Sports that Adebayo stands out among this crowded field of big men because of his natural ability to switch onto guards while still protecting the paint, a valuable skill. Think Clint Capela or Tristan Thompson. He also was tremendously productive at Kentucky and proved his athleticism at the combine.

26. Portland Trail Blazers (via Cleveland Cavaliers): C Isaiah Hartenstein, Germany

Born in America but raised in Germany, Hartenstein has proven divisive among NBA types. His playing time for Lithuania’s legendary Zalgiris team was limited to garbage time, but he has shown in youth tournaments that he is a great passer who knows how to use his size. The success of European centers in the NBA likely will help him.

27. Brooklyn Nets (via Boston Celtics): C Jonathan Jeanne, France

Jeanne is 7-2 with a 7-6½ wingspan, making him the tallest and longest player at the combine. He also weighs 207 pounds despite 8.7% body fat. For comparison, 7-footer Omer Yurtseven weighed 248 pounds with 7.6% body fat. That physique is scary, but Jeanne shows perimeter skills and has the ceiling to be a valuable long-term player.

28. Los Angeles Lakers (via Houston Rockets): SG Hamidou Diallo, Kentucky

His 44½-inch vertical leap made it clear why many call him the best athlete in the draft. But after not playing a game for Kentucky because of an eligibility situation, Diallo is one of the rare players who might be better served passing up being a late first-rounder now and returning to school, which he still can do.

29. San Antonio Spurs: C Anzejs Pasecniks, Latvia

The Spurs have a tendency to do two things with their annual late first-rounder: take the guy everyone was stunned to see slip to them or go with a foreign player. Pasecniks is a 7-2 giant who has been hyped in certain NBA circles for years, in part because he’s older than a lot of the top European prospects.

30. Utah Jazz (via Golden State Warriors): PG Jawun Evans, Oklahoma State

The biggest gap between Evans and the point guards in the top 10 is size; he measured to be under 6-foot at the combine. But he’s a brilliant natural playmaker with enough speed and strength to be a factor on pick-and-rolls. The Jazz may need a point guard, and Evans is a potential steal.

Follow USA TODAY Sports' Adi Joseph on Twitter @AdiJoseph.