The 2017 NBA Draft is drawing close. Celebratory hats are being purchased for the draftees. And more important, all over the country, workouts are being conducted and interviews held so teams can get a direct line into the thinking and physical skills of those players they plan to build their futures around.
One such player is Zach Collins of Gonzaga, whose time with Mark Few meant a bench role, but who is quickly climbing draft boards all over the league.
Who else is rising and falling? Let's go to the draft board!
| 1 |  |
Markelle Fultz, PG, Washington: Pity opponents who have to figure out the way to guard both Fultz and Isaiah Thomas next season. | |
| 2 |  |
Josh Jackson, SF, Kansas: Defensive game-changer will alter the way teams prepare for the Suns. | |
| 3 |  |
Lonzo Ball, PG, UCLA: No sneaker contract, no problem: Lonzo is still the best passer in this draft. | |
| 4 |  |
Jonathan Isaac, SF, Florida State: You better believe Brett Brown will design his defense around Isaac next season. | |
| 5 |  |
Jayson Tatum, SF, Duke: The unimaginative pick in this lottery, and the Magic are just the team to make it. | |
| 6 |  |
Dennis Smith Jr., PG, NC State: So many new toys for Smith to play with, given the keys to this offense. | |
| 7 |  |
Frank Ntilikina, PG, France: The Knicks don't mind taking chances on overseas players, and they are doing due diligence on him now. | |
| 8 |  |
Lauri Markkanen, PF, Arizona: The Kings won't be able to resist Markkanen's range and size. | |
| 9 |  |
De'Aaron Fox, PG, Kentucky: Apologies to Yogi Ferrell, but the Mavericks need an elite defender at point guard. | |
| 10 | |
Justin Jackson, SF, North Carolina: Versatile wing will bring championship pedigree to Sacramento, a place that, well, doesn't have a championship pedigree. | |
| 11 |  |
Malik Monk, SG, Kentucky: At last, a shooter for Steve Clifford to build around. | |
| 12 |  |
Zach Collins, C, Gonzaga: If this happens, expect the Andre Drummond era to be over in Detroit. | |
| 13 |  |
Tyler Lydon, SF, Syracuse: Length and defending are precisely what this Nuggets team needs at this position. | |
| 14 |  |
Donovan Mitchell, SG, Louisville: A next-level athlete who can defend on day one is a prototype Pat Riley player. | |
| 15 |  |
Justin Patton, C, Creighton: Terry Stotts can mold Patton -- another workout all-star -- into the passing big he wants. | |
| 16 |  |
TJ Leaf, PF/C, UCLA: You all know the Bulls need more shooting, right? | |
| 17 |  |
Semi Ojeleye, SF, SMU: Versatile player who will allow Giannis Antetokounmpo to focus on the things he does best when the two play together. | |
| 18 |  |
Sindarius Thornwell, SG, South Carolina: A defender actually able to implement what Nate McMillan wants. | |
| 19 |  |
John Collins, PF, Wake Forest: If Dwight Howard goes, the Hawks could actually improve their efficiency around the basket with Collins replacing him. | |
| 20 | |
Monte Morris, PG, Iowa State: He hordes possessions and can give the best backcourt in basketball some rest. | |
| 21 |  |
Johnathan Motley, PF, Baylor: Expect Billy Donovan to utilize Motley in that hybrid power forward-center role right away. | |
| 22 |  |
Harry Giles, PF/C, Duke: A lottery ticket for a team bereft of lottery picks for the foreseeable future. | |
| 23 |  |
Frank Mason III, PG, Kansas: A worthy Kyle Lowry understudy, if not a replacement. | |
| 24 |  |
Rodions Kurucs, SF, Latvia: Stash that shooter, let him develop: The Jazz have reached this point. | |
| 25 | |
Ivan Rabb, PF/C, California: Necessary rebounding, with a real chance to be the stretch-five complementing Aaron Gordon. | |
| 26 | |
OG Anunoby, F, Indiana: A vital defensive upgrade on the wing for a Trail Blazers team in need of more stops. | |
| 27 | |
Isaiah Hartenstein, PF, Germany: The chance to be Brook Lopez-plus is worth the Nets taking a shot here on the German import. | |
| 28 | |
Tacko Fall, C, Central Florida: They simply don't make 7-foot-6 players this advanced this soon on a regular basis. | |
| 29 |  |
Alec Peters, PF, Valparaiso: Watch Gregg Popovich turn Alec Peters' diversified offensive game into an unsolvable problem as soon as next year's postseason. | |
| 30 | |
Luke Kennard, SG, Duke: Shooter, but also capable of getting to the basket, and some Gordon Hayward insurance. | |
