The 2017 OPP Community Mock Draft Debrief

Per some of your requests, I have decided to put together a review of this year’s Orlando Pinstriped Post Mock NBA Draft.

However, first I wanted to take a moment to thank everyone that participated. The Mock Draft ended up taking exactly two weeks, which may have been a bit longer than some of you anticipated (or signed up for). I’m okay with that; I think the time added to the quality of this exercise.

Yes, we hit a couple bumps in the road during the mock draft; it’s not easy getting people located all over the world operating under different schedules on the same page. I figured that out pretty quickly.

But still, I was blown away with how well you all did making your picks, explaining your reasons why you picked who you picked, and just your basketball knowledge in general. Moderating this draft took A LOT more (constant) attention than I anticipated, but I was glad to do it. I hope everyone involved, whether you were drafting or just commenting, enjoyed the Mock Draft.


Here are a few quick facts about our Mock Draft:

• 21 OPP Community Members combined to make 30 selections
• 3 trades were successfully completed
• 5 of the first 8 picks were Point Guards/”Lead” Guards
• 10 of the first 11 picks were Freshmen in college this past season
• 16 total selections were Freshmen in college last year
• 0 Seniors were selected; Semi Ojeleye (4th year Junior, Transfer) was the oldest prospect selected
• 4 International/Non-college prospects were selected
• Justin Patton, who is ranked as the 28th-best prospect in this draft by Draft Express (and is mocked by the same site to be selected #19), was selected in the OPP Mock Draft by Minnesota (All About His_Own-Yah!) at #7
• The Brooklyn Nets (yuvalbaneth) were part of two of the three trades: Brook Lopez, Jeremy Lin, Quincy Acy, and the 22nd pick (Harry Giles) were shipped out; Timofey Mozgov, Ivica Zubac, Mario Hezonja, DJ Augustin, the 25th pick (Ike Anibogu), and the 28th (Frank Jackson) were brought in

Bam Adebayo, Derrick White, Tyler Lydon, Kyle Kuzma, Tony Bradley, Jonah Bolden, and Jordan Bell are some notable names that were not selected

• Below is a list of all the selections without explanation. The picks with explanations, that again were excellently crafted by all of you, can be found here.
  
  Boston Celtics - Aaron Goldstone (joined OPP in 2013)
  1) Markelle Fultz, Guard - Washington
  
  Los Angeles Lakers - Raidmagic (joined OPP in 2012)
  2) De’Aaron Fox, Point Guard - Kentucky
  
  Philadelphia 76ers - HeyRiles (joined OPP in 2009)
  3) Lonzo Ball, Point Guard - UCLA
  
  Phoenix Suns - labs03 (joined OPP in 2012)
  4) Josh Jackson, Small Forward - Kansas
  
  Sacramento Kings - Bakerboy (joined OPP in 2015)
  5) Dennis Smith Jr., Point Guard - North Carolina St.
  
  Orlando Magic - FreeSharpiee (joined OPP in 2014)
  6) Jayson Tatum, Forward - Duke
  
  Minnesota Timberwolves - All about His_own-Yaah! (joined OPP in 2017)
  7) Justin Patton, Center - Creighton
  
  New York Knicks - cyberstrike (joined OPP in 2012)
  8) Frank Ntilikina, Guard - France (Strasbourg)
  
  Dallas Mavericks - RD13 (joined OPP in 2014)
  9) Jonathan Isaac, Forward - Florida State
  
  Sacramento Kings - jonata1803 (joined OPP in 2017)
  10) Lauri Markkanen, Power Forward - Arizona
  
  Charlotte Hornets - Troll Wizard (joined OPP in 2014)
  11) Malik Monk, Shooting Guard - Kentucky
  
  Detroit Pistons - ibleedblue84 (joined OPP in 2016)
  12) Justin Jackson, Small Forward - North Carolina
  
  Denver Nuggets - Mattlock687 (joined OPP in 2011)
  13) OG Anunoby, Forward - Indiana
  
  Miami Heat - necksnappa (joined OPP in 2011)
  14) Luke Kennard, Shooting Guard - Duke
  
  Portland Trailblazers - FreeSharpiee
  15) Zach Collins, Center - Gonzaga
  
  Chicago Bulls - travell7288 (joined OPP in 2010)
  16) Donovan Mitchell, Guard - Louisville
  
  Milwaukee Bucks - ambarrovecchio (joined OPP in 2017)
  17) John Collins, Power Forward - Wake Forest
  
  Indiana Pacers - Vice-Potentate (joined OPP in 2013) traded the 18th pick, along with Monta Ellis and Lavoy Allen, to the Dallas Mavericks for the rights to Wes Matthews
  18) (DALLAS - RD13) Jawun Evans, Point Guard - Oklahoma St.
  

Atlanta Hawks - Vice-Potentate
19) Jarrett Allen, Center - Texas

Portland Trailblazers - phil.k (joined OPP in 2013)
20) Terrance Ferguson, Shooting Guard - Adelaide (Australia)

Oklahoma City Thunder - cyberstrike
21) Semi Ojeleye, Forward - SMU

Brooklyn Nets - yuvalbaneth (joined OPP in 2015)
22) Harry Giles, Center - Duke
***The Brooklyn Nets (yuvalbaneth) agreed to trade Jeremy Lin, Quincy Acy, and the rights to Harry Giles (22nd pick) to the Orlando Magic (Ramore) for D.J. Augustin, Mario Hezonja and the 25th pick.

Toronto Raptors - travell7288
23) T.J. Leaf, Power Forward - UCLA

Utah Jazz - Asianmagician#15 (joined OPP in 2016)
24) Anzejs Pasecniks, Center - Gran Canaria (Spain) via Latvia

Orlando Magic - Ramore (joined OPP in 2014) traded the 25th pick, along with D.J. Augustin and Mario Hezonja, to the Brooklyn Nets for Jeremy Lin, Quincy Acy, and the rights to the 22nd pick (Harry Giles)
25) (Brooklyn - yuvalbaneth) Ike Anibogu, Center - UCLA

Portland Trailblazers - phil.k
26) Isaiah Hartenstein, PF/C - Zalgiris (Lithuania) via Germany

Brooklyn Nets - yuvalbaneth
27) D.J. Wilson, Power Forward - Michigan

Los Angeles Lakers - Raidmagic traded the 28th pick, along with Timofey Mozgov and Ivica Zubac, to the Brooklyn Nets for the rights to Brook Lopez
28) (Brooklyn - yuvalbaneth) Frank Jackson, Guard - Duke

San Antonio - labs03
29) Caleb Swanigan, PF/C - Purdue

Utah - Asianmagician#15
30) Ivan Rabb, Power Forward - California

So, there it is. Thank you again to all participants; this really was a joint effort. I’m glad we were able to get it done. I encourage you all to comment below with draft grades, evaluations of who you think did well, not so well (keep it constructive, of course), etc.

The Magic hold, at the moment, the 33rd and 35th picks in this upcoming draft as well. Please check out the “Diving for Draft Diamonds” articles I’ve put out the last few weeks. One runs down Second Round backcourt options; the other front-court possibilities.

Enjoy the real draft Thursday night, everyone, see you on the other side!