Minnesota Timberwolves: Mock Lottery Draft 2.0

110. For the second consecutive lottery simulator, the Miami Heat stayed put at number 14. Due to that, they again chose to select the reigning ACC Player of the Year, Justin Jackson. Jackson is a great offensive talent that will be able to diversify the Heat’s scoring attack. He can hit some threes and extend the defense. As for the other end of the floor, his liabilities on defense should be at least partially masked by Hassan Whiteside patrolling the painted area.. SF. North Carolina. Justin Jackson. 14. player

SF. Indiana. OG Nunoby. 13. player. 73. OG Anunoby is a wildcard at this point in the draft. He tore his ACL in January and we are unsure where he is at in his recovery. This pick is made by the Nuggets with one eye towards the future as both Wilson Chandler and Danilo Gallinari are set to be free agents in the next couple of years. While Anunoby has a long way to go before he can be productive, he will be able to take his time in adjusting to the learning curve. However, he may be able to make an impact on defense right away.

Texas. Jarett Allen. 12. player. 64. Jarrett Allen comes in at number 13 on The Step Back’s big board but number 12 in our mock draft. Allen will be able to learn behind Andre Drummond for a couple years as he is still a raw prospect at this point. Drummond had a down year but the Pistons aren’t ready to give up on him yet. This pick will also provide the Pistons with some security should Drummond not return to his 2015-16 All-Star form.. C

The Charlotte Hornets decide to go with the young point guard out of France, Frank Ntilikina. Ntilikina has a lot of potential as a shooter and defender and could be the key that makes the Hornets engine go. Due to Ntilikina’s size, the Horntes should be able to pair him with Kemba Walker on both sides of the court. If he were more of an athlete he would likely go in the top five of this year’s draft.. PG. France. Frank Ntilikina. 11. player. 170

Zach Collins. 10. player. 67. The Kings acquire the New Orleans Pelicans pick at number 10 as it is only top-three protected. Sacramento decides to shake things up and select Zach Collins out of Gonzaga. Collins is one of the most skilled 7-footers in this year’s draft class. He played limited minutes during his only year at Gonzaga but was able to show off his scoring ability, rebounding tenacity, and defensive intensity in that short amount of time. Collins should be able to fit in along with the core of Willie Cauley-Stein, Buddy Hield, and the Kings other first round pick this year.. PF. Gonzaga

player. 79. The Dallas Mavericks stay put at number nine in this version of the Lottery Mock Draft. The Mavs decide to go with De’Aaron Fox who is yet another point guard in this loaded class. He is a great athlete who has amazing quickness and handles. While his shooting still needs to be developed, a Fox and Nerlens Noel pick and roll would be very fun to watch.. PG. Kentucky. De'Aaron Fox. 9

SG. Kentucky. Malik Monk. 8. player. 67. The Sacramento Kings stay put at number eight as we have not seen any shakeups thus far in the draft order. Pairing Malik Monk with Buddy Hield would provide the Kings with a lethal scoring combination at the wing positions. While both players lack ideal height, there is enough playmaking and toughness between the two of them to make things work on both sides of the floor.

27. As far as players falling to the Knicks, this the best case scenario as New York ends up with the number five player on The Step Back’s big board. Smith is a great scorer who reminds me of a blend of Kyle Lowry and Russell Westbrook. His athleticism may be better than Lowry’s however as Smith can fly through the lane and throw down huge dunks over opponents. Smith would form a formidable scoring duo with Kristaps Porzingis.. PG. North Carolina St.. Dennis Smith Jr.. 7. player

Lauri Markkanen is the benefactor of the Timberwolves desperation for a player who can shoot from outside. The Timberwolves will be sure to gobble up the big man as he shot 42.3 percent from downtown last season with Arizona. He also showed that he has the potential to score off the dribble as well. The 7-footer isn’t the best rebounder but was able to hold his own in college. The Wolves will be more than happy to land Markkanen at number 6.. PF. Arizona. Lauri Markkanen. 6. player. 86

Jayson Tatum. 5. player. 38. The Magic are stuck in a tough position at this point in the draft. Their best options are Tatum or Dennis Smith Jr. Neither of those players fit a position of need for the Magic but are the best players on the board. In the end, Orlando decides to go with Tatum. Tatum has a good offensive game and can shoulder some of the offensive load for the Magic. The problem is that he struggles with his outside shot, similar to Aaron Gordon. Gordon also played the majority of his minutes at small forward last season which may create a log jam. In the end though, taking the best player available and figuring out how the rest works is the strategy the Magic decide to imploy.. SF. Duke

Picks 4-14 fell as projected, meaning that there isn’t going to be a huge shakeup unless it comes with these first three picks. The 76ers will be more than happy to select Jonathan Isaac with the fourth pick if he falls to them. Even after drafting Ben Simmons last year, Isaac can play some time at the four, allowing him to be on the court at the same time as Simmons. He will also be able to fit in nicely and compliment Joel Embiid, if he can stay healthy that is.. SF/PF. Florida St.. Jonthan isaac. 4. player. 93

SF. Kansas. Josh Jackson. 3. player. 20. The Los Angeles Lakers exhale a sigh of relief as their pick stays at number three, meaning they get to keep it for another year. The Lakers decide to go with the dynamic player out of Kansas, Josh Jackson. Jackson showed that he can be a playmaker and a lock-down defender on the wing and will provide the Lakers with a good forward tandem of Jackson and Brandon Ingram.

UCLA. Lonzo Ball. 2. player. 18. Finally! The first shakeup of the lottery order comes at number two as the Boston Celtics slip in the lottery order for the second consecutive season. This time, however, the Celtics still land one of the premiere talents in the NBA in point guard Lonzo Ball. Ball is a true point guard and will make a great backcourt combination with Isaiah Thomas. Ball is big enough to guard two’s and can allow Thomas to play off the ball more on the offensive side of the floor. He should also mesh well with Marcus Smart and Avery Bradley.. PG

66. The Phoenix Suns end up winning this version of the Mock Lottery Draft. They decide to go with the best overall player on The Step Back’s big board, Markelle Fultz. Fultz would give the Suns a fearsome backcourt of Eric Bledsoe, Fultz, and Devin Booker. They all bring something unique to the table and should be able to thrive off one another. Even though Fultz is listed as a point guard, he can play off the ball as well due to his size and shooting ability. That would be a terrible trio.. PG. Washington. Markelle Fultz. 1. player