2017 NBA Mock Draft: Orlando Pinstriped Post edition

The NBA Draft is an event that all basketball fans seem to enjoy. Orlando Pinstriped Post community regulars and new members alike have become all too familiar with following the draft in the last half-decade. Everyone has an opinion when it comes to the draft; prospects we love, prospects we think will bust; prospects we want the Magic to target, etc.

I’m as guilty as anyone when it comes to my draft obsession, so I thought, why not celebrate my obsession with other OPP community members through a good ole’-fashioned fun, and (hopefully)-enjoyable community mock draft?

For some of the OPP community members who’ve been around for a while, you may remember that Tyler Lashbrook orchestrated this Mock Draft exercise for a couple years, and then BigMac12111 followed his lead for a couple years after that. I’m just hoping to carry on the tradition and get a little community building going with quality content happening as well.

Per your requests, I have compiled the Mock Draft Order. I did my best to pair everyone up with the team(s) they requested. A few organizations had multiple community members request them, I tried to spread the wealth as evenly as I could. A couple of you stated that you had no preference, I hope you don’t mind the teams I paired you with. And lastly, in order to have every team covered, some of you will be drafting more than once. I hope that’s not a problem. Without further delay:

Boston Celtics - Aaron Goldstone (joined OPP in 2013)
1) Markelle Fultz, Guard - Washington

Aaron says:
“Fultz is clearly and easily in a tier all by himself in this draft; there’s really no one else for the Celtics to consider (especially with the Ball camp refusing to workout for Boston)...
Thomas and Bradley are Free Agents after next season, so this pick makes sense for depth reasons as well....
Fultz can play right now in three-guard lineups for the Celtics, he can provide depth behind the veteran guards already on the roster, and he can be there for insurance ready to take the reins if Boston decides to not re-sign Bradley or Thomas next summer.”

L.A. Lakers - Raidmagic (joined OPP in 2012)
2) De’Aaron Fox, Point Guard - Kentucky

Raidmagic says:
“After going back and forth on this I’ve decided on Fox over Ball. I don’t want to get into the circus that is going to be Ball’s career (at least early on) with his father...
We (the Lakers) need to build a team that is for each other and can do that easier by not adding a player that is going to detract from that mindset.”

Philadelphia 76ers - HeyRiles (joined OPP in 2009)
3) Lonzo Ball, Point Guard - UCLA

HeyRiles says:
“Originally, my plan was to try and trade down no matter what, because I assumed the Lakers would take Ball and I figured the Kings would be trying to trade up to get whoever they wanted. That changed somewhat when the Lakers took Fox...
Philadelphia is probably fine with the baggage that goes along with Ball, if it’s even baggage at all...
I think an elite distributor like Ball will do wonders for Simmons’ and Saric’s development, and he should provide a load off from Embiid having to do so much work in the paint.”

Phoenix Suns - labs03 (joined OPP in 2012)
4) Josh Jackson, Small Forward - Kansas

labs03 says:
“The obvious pick for the Suns is a Forward, and I feel Josh Jackson is the best fit for the Suns and likely the best Forward in the draft. He has (the) all around game, both offense and defense. He will be able to play the three and 4 in small ball (lineups)...
My one concern is his FT%, but he hit the 3 at a reasonable 38%, I would think that the FT shooting will improve...”

Sacramento Kings - Bakerboy (joined OPP in 2015)
5) Dennis Smith Jr., Point Guard - North Carolina St.

Bakerboy says:
“The draw of putting together the back court of the future is too great...
I think Hield and Smith would gel together well – Smith has a high ceiling and has the athleticism that will complement the emerging Kings core...I think you can’t pass up the opportunity to take the best available for what, in my mind, has become the most crucial position.”

Orlando Magic - Ramore (joined OPP in 2014)
Minnesota Timberwolves - All about His_own-Yaah! (joined OPP in 2017)
New York Knicks - cyberstrike (joined OPP in 2012)
Dallas Mavericks - RD13 (joined OPP in 2014)
Sacramento Kings - jonata1803 (joined OPP in 2017)
Charlotte Hornets - Troll Wizard (joined OPP in 2014)
Detroit Pistons - ibleedblue84 (joined OPP in 2016)
Denver Nuggets - Mattlock687 (joined OPP in 2011)
Miami Heat - necksnappa (joined OPP in 2011)
Portland Trailblazers - FreeSharpiee (joined OPP in 2014)
Chicago Bulls - travell7288 (joined OPP in 2010)
Milwaukee Bucks - ambarrovecchio (joined OPP in 2017)
Indiana Pacers - Vice-Potentate (joined OPP in 2013)
Atlanta Hawks - Vice-Potentate
Portland Trailblazers - phil.k (joined OPP in 2013)
Oklahoma City Thunder - cyberstrike
Brooklyn Nets - yuvalbaneth (joined OPP in 2015)
Toronto Raptors - travell7288
Utah Jazz - Asianmagician#15 (joined OPP in 2016)
Orlando Magic - FreeSharpiee
Portland Trailblazers - phil.k
Brooklyn Nets - yuvalbaneth
L.A. Lakers - Raidmagic
San Antonio - labs03
Utah - Asianmagician#15

Here are the general guidelines; it’s really important that everyone follows them so things go smoothly. Everything that you will be doing in this simulation will be done BELOW in the comments section. I will be live updating this article and adding the picks after they are made below. Please keep the following in mind:

a) Pay attention to the draft order AND Pay attention to players that have already been drafted. Selecting out of order or trying to select a player that has already been taken can cause confusion. I think we will be fine if we are all cognizant to those details.

b) I’m cool with picks being traded; HOWEVER, let’s not include and PICKS FOR PLAYERS type deals during this mock draft. Things can get really confusing when talking picks, players, salaries, the salary-cap, etc. No point making trades that would never be allowed due to cap reasons. If players are involved, the trade must be ESPN Trade Machine approved. You can include picks, you can include players. BUT NO PICKS FOR PLAYERS EXCLUSIVELY deals. I don’t foresee many people trading out of their picks, otherwise you wouldn’t be able to make a mock selection, right? I guess if that’s your fancy, make deal propositions below as well....

c) Please use in the title of your comment below “With the (#) pick in the 2017 OPP Community Draft the (your assigned team) select (insert player name). Then in the comment, PLEASE WRITE 3-5 SENTENCES explaining why you picked who you picked. I will transfer that information periodically to this article.

So there you have it. I think this method is going to work best since we all are on different schedules geographically, professionally, etc. Most importantly, let’s have good discussion and have fun with this!