Post by FLCeltsFan on May 9, 2017 14:06:43 GMT -5
Big Board 6.0: Ranking top players heading into NBA draft combine
Chad Ford ranks Lonzo Ball and the top prospects for the 2017 NBA draft. AP Photo/Mark Humphrey
May 8, 2017
Chad Ford
ESPN Senior Writer
Heading into this week's NBA draft combine, here's how our top 30 prospects rank, after consultation with 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 continues to hold on to No. 1. In our latest survey of lottery teams, Fultz looks to have a 57 percent chance of going first (based on the teams that prefer him to Lonzo Ball and their likelihood to win the top pick). His lead grows if you take the opinions of nonlottery teams.
Fultz is on the list to attend the combine, but expect him to do only interviews and possibly medical testing. I doubt we'll see him on the court.
2. Lonzo Ball
Previous rank: No. 2
UCLA
Freshman
Guard
These days, Ball is getting more attention for what he and his father are doing off the court with the Big Baller Brand than what he did on the court for UCLA.
EDITOR'S PICKS
NBA draft 2017: Complete coverage
From prospect projections to the lottery and draft night, ESPN.com has complete coverage of the 2017 NBA draft.
A number of GMs still think Ball is the best prospect in the draft because of his otherworldly passing. Kevin Pelton and I debated Fultz v. Ball on Friday, with Pelton leaning Ball while I leaned Fultz.
Ball is not expected to participate in any part of the combine this week.
3. Josh Jackson
Previous rank: No. 3
Kansas
Freshman
Forward
Jackson is the best two-way player in the draft this year.
He'll spend most of the rest of the draft process getting grilled about an off-the-court incident that has called his character into question. Teams that have done a lot of digging feel he'll remain a top pick, but his answers to those questions are key.
Jackson isn't expected to participate at the combine.
4. Jayson Tatum
Previous rank: No. 4
Duke
Freshman
Forward
Tatum is a dark horse for the No. 1 pick. A handful of teams are considering him, though it's unlikely he'll get there.
For other teams, he's not even the best small forward in the draft.
Tatum also isn't expected to participate in the combine this week.
5. De'Aaron Fox
Previous rank: No. 5
Kentucky
Freshman
Guard
Fox's stock continues to rise as teams dig into his video. His superior quickness and toughness have a handful of scouts ranking him ahead of Ball on their boards.
Questions about his jump shot and his right hand are what keep him behind Ball on most boards.
Fox plans on attending the combine, but it will likely be only for interviews, medical testing and possibly athletic testing. He would potentially test out as the best athlete in the draft.
6. Jonathan Isaac
Previous rank: No. 6
FSU
Freshman
Forward
Isaac has the biggest combination of upside and risk in the top eight or nine. His combination of size and skill set is highly alluring for a number of NBA teams willing to be patient while his body catches up with his talent.
Isaac is expected to skip the combine this week.
7. Malik Monk
Previous rank: No. 7
Kentucky
Freshman
Guard
Monk is the best scorer in the draft and will spend his workouts trying to convince teams that he can be a point guard as well.
Monk has indicated that he won't participate in the combine. That's a shame. He would have had a chance to beat his UK teammate, Fox, as the best athlete in the draft.
8. Dennis Smith
Previous rank: No. 8
NC State
Freshman
Guard
Smith's decision to not participate in the combine at all is a bit of a surprise, given that his draft stock seems to have slipped slightly over the past month.
Questions about his knee loom large among some NBA scouts, and showing off his elite athleticism should have helped him in the athletic testing.
9. Zach Collins
Previous rank: No. 11
Gonzaga
Freshman
Center
Collins continues to quietly move his way up boards as more and more scouts watch video and come away impressed. I've actually yet to find a scout who doesn't think he's a top-10 pick. His limited role at Gonzaga (combined with a lack of hype coming into the draft) does appear to keep his stock a little lower.
Collins will participate in the combine, but is expected to do only interviews, athletic testing and the physical.
10. Lauri Markkanen
Previous rank: No. 9
Arizona
Freshman
Forward
This is the lowest that Markkanen has been on our board in a while, thanks in part to a bad shooting slump at the end of the season. Some scouts still have him in the Nos. 6-8 range on their boards.
Markkanen will not be participating at the combine.
11. Frank Ntilikina
Previous rank: No. 10
France
Age: 18
Guard
NBA GMs have been making the trip to France the past few weeks to catch Ntilikina play, as he has declined an invitation to the combine because his team is still competing.
He has been solid, though certainly not spectacular in any of the games scouts have seen. But he's 18 and starting for a pro French team. Scouts are going to cut him some slack.
There's a lot of buzz that both the Knicks and Mavericks are high on him. That would put him in the Nos. 6-9 range if the draft plays out that way.
12. Harry Giles
Previous rank: No. 12
Duke
Freshman
Forward
Don't expect Giles to participate in any basketball drills at the combine, but teams are really interested in getting his medical information and interviewing him.
Some teams worry that there might be more problems with his knees. Others worry that he's struggling with the mental aspect of overcoming two ACL tears.
If he can prove that he's healthy and regain his confidence, he's a steal in this draft anywhere outside the top 10. Given good health, he has more raw talent than any other player in this class.
13. OG Anunoby
Previous rank: No. 13
Indiana
Sophomore
Forward
Anunoby is still recovering from ACL surgery and won't be participating in any of the basketball parts of the combine. But teams are eager to have their doctors check out his knee and provide a timetable for his recovery.
Even if he ends up missing his entire rookie season, I still think he could end up going in the lottery.
14. Jarrett Allen
Previous rank: No. 14
Texas
Freshman
Center
Allen is another prospect who might go in the lottery based on raw potential alone. He has the size, athleticism and defensive skill set teams are looking for.
He'll be participating at the combine but will likely do only interviews, athletic testing and medicals.
15. Luke Kennard
Previous rank: No. 17
Duke
Sophomore
Guard
Shooting comes at a premium in the NBA right now, but unfortunately for NBA teams, there just aren't a lot of great shooters in this draft.
That explains the rise of Kennard on draft boards, though shooting isn't the only reason teams are warming to him. His ability to play the pick-and-roll gives him some playmaking upside, too.
He'll likely do athletic testing, the physical and interviews, but he won't be participating in 5-on-5 play.
16. Terrance Ferguson
Previous rank: No. 18
Australia
Age: 19
Guard
Ferguson is Kennard's main competition for best shooting guard in the draft after Monk goes off the board in the lottery. Ferguson is a bit streakier and more one-dimensional than Kennard, but he's a much more explosive athlete.
Teams were hoping to see Ferguson in the 5-on-5 at the combine (he spent the season playing pro ball in Australia), but it looks like he'll just be there for the athletic and medical testing and interviews.
17. TJ Leaf
Previous rank: No. 16
UCLA
Freshman
Forward
In an era when stretch-4s are thriving in the NBA, Leaf seems like a slam dunk to land somewhere in the teens.
He's an elite scorer with toughness. However, teams worry a bit about his lack of size and length.
Leaf will be doing interviews, athletic testing and the medicals but won't be playing 5-on-5 at the combine.
18. Ike Anigbogu
Previous rank: No. 19
UCLA
Freshman
Center
Anigbogu averaged just 13 minutes per game for UCLA as a freshman, but his upside as a physical rim protector is so great that he doesn't need to play 5-on-5 at the combine. He'll do interviews and testing, but that's it.
He's looking more and more like a lock for the top 20.
19. Justin Patton
Previous rank: No. 15
Creighton
Freshman
Center
Patton was one of the more efficient players in college basketball, but he still has a long way to go to get to his ceiling. Some teams have him as a late lottery pick, others in the 20s.
Patton will do interviews and testing but won't play 5-on-5 at the combine.
20. Tony Bradley
Previous rank: No. 22
UNC
Freshman
Center
Bradley is the highest-ranked player on our board who is still testing the draft waters. He hasn't hired an agent and is keeping open the option of returning to North Carolina for his sophomore season.
He also is the highest-ranked player who is committed to participating in every event at the combine, including the 5-on-5. If he plays well there, he's probably staying in the draft.
He came off the bench for the Tar Heels this season, but a number of scouts believe he has lottery-type talent. If he returns to UNC, he'll start out as a top-10 draft prospect for 2018.
21. John Collins
Previous rank: No. 21
Wake Forest
Sophomore
Forward
Collins is an old-school power forward who showed major improvement as a sophomore. No one denies the talent, but some question if he's a great fit in the modern NBA.
He'll do interviews and athletic and medical testing but won't be participating in the 5-on-5 portion of the combine.
22. Donovan Mitchell
Previous rank: N/A
Louisville
Sophomore
Guard
Mitchell recently hired an agent, putting him fully in the draft. He's an elite athlete who showed improvement as both a shooter and a playmaker this year.
As NBA teams go back and scour video, a number of them have walked away thinking Mitchell may be a sleeper. He has moved up our board accordingly.
He'll be participating at the combine but won't play 5-on-5.
23. Edrice Adebayo
Previous rank: No. 20
Kentucky
Freshman
Forward
Adebayo has hired an agent and is now firmly in the draft. He should grade off the charts in the athletic-testing portion of the combine. It's the basketball skills that teams question.
Alas, he won't be playing in the 5-on-5 portion.
24. Ivan Rabb
Previous rank: No. 23
Cal
Sophomore
Forward
Rabb was a minor disappointment this year at Cal, and some scouts believe he's getting by more on his high school reputation than his actual production in college these days. His stock has slowly been dropping the past few months.
A good combine could've helped him, but he'll be participating in only the interviews, athletic testing and medicals.
25. Justin Jackson
Previous rank: No. 25
UNC
Junior
Forward
Jackson continues to draw mixed reviews from scouts. Some see him as a late lottery pick. Other teams don't have him in the first round. His lack of elite athleticism and questions about the sustainability of his 3-point shooting are the big drawbacks.
Expect him to participate in interviews and athletic and medical testing but no 5-on-5 at the combine.
26. Moritz Wagner
Previous rank: No. 24
Michigan
Sophomore
Forward
Wagner is still testing the waters and is using the combine to assess whether he should stay in the draft or return to Michigan for his junior year.
He had a few team workouts already and is slated to participate in all of the combine, including the 5-on-5. A strong showing there could move him up the board significantly.
He's also attractive to teams because of his draft-and-stash ability. With several teams owning multiple first-round picks combined with a relatively weak international class, his willingness to play internationally for a year or two could improve his draft stock.
27. D.J. Wilson
Previous rank: No. 26
Michigan
Junior
Forward
Wilson is also testing the draft waters and is slated to participate in every part of the draft combine, including 5-on-5 play.
The early indications from workouts have been positive for Wilson. Don't be surprised if he stays in the draft, especially if he has a strong combine.
28. Jawun Evans
Previous rank: No. 27
Oklahoma State
Sophomore
Guard
There's a major drop-off in point guard talent outside the top 10, and that has improved Evans' chances of landing in the first round of late. He's an excellent scorer and good distributor. He just lacks elite size or athleticism for his position.
He's expected to skip the 5-on-5 portion of the combine but participate in everything else.
29. Andrew Jones
Previous rank: No. 28
Texas
Freshman
Guard
Jones is the fourth player on our list who is still testing the draft waters. He hasn't hired an agent yet and will use the combine to figure out where he stands. He also had a couple of team workouts in the past week.
He'll participate in all of the combine, including the 5-on-5 portion. He should test off the charts in the athletic-testing portion.
30. Isaiah Hartenstein
Previous rank: No. 29
Germany
Age: 18
Forward
Hartenstein's play at the Nike Hoop Summit was a bit of a mixed bag. He's all over the place on NBA draft boards.
While Hartenstein was invited to the combine, he's unable to play because of a team commitment to Zalgiris in Lithuania.
Next five in
Caleb Swanigan, PF, So., Purdue;
Rodions Kurucs, SF, Latvia;
Tyler Lydon, F, So., Syracuse;
Jonathan Jeanne, F/C, France;
Hamidou Diallo, SG, Fr., Kentucky
Chad Ford ranks Lonzo Ball and the top prospects for the 2017 NBA draft. AP Photo/Mark Humphrey
May 8, 2017
Chad Ford
ESPN Senior Writer
Heading into this week's NBA draft combine, here's how our top 30 prospects rank, after consultation with 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 continues to hold on to No. 1. In our latest survey of lottery teams, Fultz looks to have a 57 percent chance of going first (based on the teams that prefer him to Lonzo Ball and their likelihood to win the top pick). His lead grows if you take the opinions of nonlottery teams.
Fultz is on the list to attend the combine, but expect him to do only interviews and possibly medical testing. I doubt we'll see him on the court.
2. Lonzo Ball
Previous rank: No. 2
UCLA
Freshman
Guard
These days, Ball is getting more attention for what he and his father are doing off the court with the Big Baller Brand than what he did on the court for UCLA.
EDITOR'S PICKS
NBA draft 2017: Complete coverage
From prospect projections to the lottery and draft night, ESPN.com has complete coverage of the 2017 NBA draft.
A number of GMs still think Ball is the best prospect in the draft because of his otherworldly passing. Kevin Pelton and I debated Fultz v. Ball on Friday, with Pelton leaning Ball while I leaned Fultz.
Ball is not expected to participate in any part of the combine this week.
3. Josh Jackson
Previous rank: No. 3
Kansas
Freshman
Forward
Jackson is the best two-way player in the draft this year.
He'll spend most of the rest of the draft process getting grilled about an off-the-court incident that has called his character into question. Teams that have done a lot of digging feel he'll remain a top pick, but his answers to those questions are key.
Jackson isn't expected to participate at the combine.
4. Jayson Tatum
Previous rank: No. 4
Duke
Freshman
Forward
Tatum is a dark horse for the No. 1 pick. A handful of teams are considering him, though it's unlikely he'll get there.
For other teams, he's not even the best small forward in the draft.
Tatum also isn't expected to participate in the combine this week.
5. De'Aaron Fox
Previous rank: No. 5
Kentucky
Freshman
Guard
Fox's stock continues to rise as teams dig into his video. His superior quickness and toughness have a handful of scouts ranking him ahead of Ball on their boards.
Questions about his jump shot and his right hand are what keep him behind Ball on most boards.
Fox plans on attending the combine, but it will likely be only for interviews, medical testing and possibly athletic testing. He would potentially test out as the best athlete in the draft.
6. Jonathan Isaac
Previous rank: No. 6
FSU
Freshman
Forward
Isaac has the biggest combination of upside and risk in the top eight or nine. His combination of size and skill set is highly alluring for a number of NBA teams willing to be patient while his body catches up with his talent.
Isaac is expected to skip the combine this week.
7. Malik Monk
Previous rank: No. 7
Kentucky
Freshman
Guard
Monk is the best scorer in the draft and will spend his workouts trying to convince teams that he can be a point guard as well.
Monk has indicated that he won't participate in the combine. That's a shame. He would have had a chance to beat his UK teammate, Fox, as the best athlete in the draft.
8. Dennis Smith
Previous rank: No. 8
NC State
Freshman
Guard
Smith's decision to not participate in the combine at all is a bit of a surprise, given that his draft stock seems to have slipped slightly over the past month.
Questions about his knee loom large among some NBA scouts, and showing off his elite athleticism should have helped him in the athletic testing.
9. Zach Collins
Previous rank: No. 11
Gonzaga
Freshman
Center
Collins continues to quietly move his way up boards as more and more scouts watch video and come away impressed. I've actually yet to find a scout who doesn't think he's a top-10 pick. His limited role at Gonzaga (combined with a lack of hype coming into the draft) does appear to keep his stock a little lower.
Collins will participate in the combine, but is expected to do only interviews, athletic testing and the physical.
10. Lauri Markkanen
Previous rank: No. 9
Arizona
Freshman
Forward
This is the lowest that Markkanen has been on our board in a while, thanks in part to a bad shooting slump at the end of the season. Some scouts still have him in the Nos. 6-8 range on their boards.
Markkanen will not be participating at the combine.
11. Frank Ntilikina
Previous rank: No. 10
France
Age: 18
Guard
NBA GMs have been making the trip to France the past few weeks to catch Ntilikina play, as he has declined an invitation to the combine because his team is still competing.
He has been solid, though certainly not spectacular in any of the games scouts have seen. But he's 18 and starting for a pro French team. Scouts are going to cut him some slack.
There's a lot of buzz that both the Knicks and Mavericks are high on him. That would put him in the Nos. 6-9 range if the draft plays out that way.
12. Harry Giles
Previous rank: No. 12
Duke
Freshman
Forward
Don't expect Giles to participate in any basketball drills at the combine, but teams are really interested in getting his medical information and interviewing him.
Some teams worry that there might be more problems with his knees. Others worry that he's struggling with the mental aspect of overcoming two ACL tears.
If he can prove that he's healthy and regain his confidence, he's a steal in this draft anywhere outside the top 10. Given good health, he has more raw talent than any other player in this class.
13. OG Anunoby
Previous rank: No. 13
Indiana
Sophomore
Forward
Anunoby is still recovering from ACL surgery and won't be participating in any of the basketball parts of the combine. But teams are eager to have their doctors check out his knee and provide a timetable for his recovery.
Even if he ends up missing his entire rookie season, I still think he could end up going in the lottery.
14. Jarrett Allen
Previous rank: No. 14
Texas
Freshman
Center
Allen is another prospect who might go in the lottery based on raw potential alone. He has the size, athleticism and defensive skill set teams are looking for.
He'll be participating at the combine but will likely do only interviews, athletic testing and medicals.
15. Luke Kennard
Previous rank: No. 17
Duke
Sophomore
Guard
Shooting comes at a premium in the NBA right now, but unfortunately for NBA teams, there just aren't a lot of great shooters in this draft.
That explains the rise of Kennard on draft boards, though shooting isn't the only reason teams are warming to him. His ability to play the pick-and-roll gives him some playmaking upside, too.
He'll likely do athletic testing, the physical and interviews, but he won't be participating in 5-on-5 play.
16. Terrance Ferguson
Previous rank: No. 18
Australia
Age: 19
Guard
Ferguson is Kennard's main competition for best shooting guard in the draft after Monk goes off the board in the lottery. Ferguson is a bit streakier and more one-dimensional than Kennard, but he's a much more explosive athlete.
Teams were hoping to see Ferguson in the 5-on-5 at the combine (he spent the season playing pro ball in Australia), but it looks like he'll just be there for the athletic and medical testing and interviews.
17. TJ Leaf
Previous rank: No. 16
UCLA
Freshman
Forward
In an era when stretch-4s are thriving in the NBA, Leaf seems like a slam dunk to land somewhere in the teens.
He's an elite scorer with toughness. However, teams worry a bit about his lack of size and length.
Leaf will be doing interviews, athletic testing and the medicals but won't be playing 5-on-5 at the combine.
18. Ike Anigbogu
Previous rank: No. 19
UCLA
Freshman
Center
Anigbogu averaged just 13 minutes per game for UCLA as a freshman, but his upside as a physical rim protector is so great that he doesn't need to play 5-on-5 at the combine. He'll do interviews and testing, but that's it.
He's looking more and more like a lock for the top 20.
19. Justin Patton
Previous rank: No. 15
Creighton
Freshman
Center
Patton was one of the more efficient players in college basketball, but he still has a long way to go to get to his ceiling. Some teams have him as a late lottery pick, others in the 20s.
Patton will do interviews and testing but won't play 5-on-5 at the combine.
20. Tony Bradley
Previous rank: No. 22
UNC
Freshman
Center
Bradley is the highest-ranked player on our board who is still testing the draft waters. He hasn't hired an agent and is keeping open the option of returning to North Carolina for his sophomore season.
He also is the highest-ranked player who is committed to participating in every event at the combine, including the 5-on-5. If he plays well there, he's probably staying in the draft.
He came off the bench for the Tar Heels this season, but a number of scouts believe he has lottery-type talent. If he returns to UNC, he'll start out as a top-10 draft prospect for 2018.
21. John Collins
Previous rank: No. 21
Wake Forest
Sophomore
Forward
Collins is an old-school power forward who showed major improvement as a sophomore. No one denies the talent, but some question if he's a great fit in the modern NBA.
He'll do interviews and athletic and medical testing but won't be participating in the 5-on-5 portion of the combine.
22. Donovan Mitchell
Previous rank: N/A
Louisville
Sophomore
Guard
Mitchell recently hired an agent, putting him fully in the draft. He's an elite athlete who showed improvement as both a shooter and a playmaker this year.
As NBA teams go back and scour video, a number of them have walked away thinking Mitchell may be a sleeper. He has moved up our board accordingly.
He'll be participating at the combine but won't play 5-on-5.
23. Edrice Adebayo
Previous rank: No. 20
Kentucky
Freshman
Forward
Adebayo has hired an agent and is now firmly in the draft. He should grade off the charts in the athletic-testing portion of the combine. It's the basketball skills that teams question.
Alas, he won't be playing in the 5-on-5 portion.
24. Ivan Rabb
Previous rank: No. 23
Cal
Sophomore
Forward
Rabb was a minor disappointment this year at Cal, and some scouts believe he's getting by more on his high school reputation than his actual production in college these days. His stock has slowly been dropping the past few months.
A good combine could've helped him, but he'll be participating in only the interviews, athletic testing and medicals.
25. Justin Jackson
Previous rank: No. 25
UNC
Junior
Forward
Jackson continues to draw mixed reviews from scouts. Some see him as a late lottery pick. Other teams don't have him in the first round. His lack of elite athleticism and questions about the sustainability of his 3-point shooting are the big drawbacks.
Expect him to participate in interviews and athletic and medical testing but no 5-on-5 at the combine.
26. Moritz Wagner
Previous rank: No. 24
Michigan
Sophomore
Forward
Wagner is still testing the waters and is using the combine to assess whether he should stay in the draft or return to Michigan for his junior year.
He had a few team workouts already and is slated to participate in all of the combine, including the 5-on-5. A strong showing there could move him up the board significantly.
He's also attractive to teams because of his draft-and-stash ability. With several teams owning multiple first-round picks combined with a relatively weak international class, his willingness to play internationally for a year or two could improve his draft stock.
27. D.J. Wilson
Previous rank: No. 26
Michigan
Junior
Forward
Wilson is also testing the draft waters and is slated to participate in every part of the draft combine, including 5-on-5 play.
The early indications from workouts have been positive for Wilson. Don't be surprised if he stays in the draft, especially if he has a strong combine.
28. Jawun Evans
Previous rank: No. 27
Oklahoma State
Sophomore
Guard
There's a major drop-off in point guard talent outside the top 10, and that has improved Evans' chances of landing in the first round of late. He's an excellent scorer and good distributor. He just lacks elite size or athleticism for his position.
He's expected to skip the 5-on-5 portion of the combine but participate in everything else.
29. Andrew Jones
Previous rank: No. 28
Texas
Freshman
Guard
Jones is the fourth player on our list who is still testing the draft waters. He hasn't hired an agent yet and will use the combine to figure out where he stands. He also had a couple of team workouts in the past week.
He'll participate in all of the combine, including the 5-on-5 portion. He should test off the charts in the athletic-testing portion.
30. Isaiah Hartenstein
Previous rank: No. 29
Germany
Age: 18
Forward
Hartenstein's play at the Nike Hoop Summit was a bit of a mixed bag. He's all over the place on NBA draft boards.
While Hartenstein was invited to the combine, he's unable to play because of a team commitment to Zalgiris in Lithuania.
Next five in
Caleb Swanigan, PF, So., Purdue;
Rodions Kurucs, SF, Latvia;
Tyler Lydon, F, So., Syracuse;
Jonathan Jeanne, F/C, France;
Hamidou Diallo, SG, Fr., Kentucky
