Gallery: 1/12
So, apparently there's some kind of football draft going on right now. But while that meanders into its seemingly millionth hour of coverage on Saturday, it seems like a good a time as any to turn your attention over to the hardwood and the NBA.
With college basketball now well in the rear-view mirror, the playoffs in full swing, the combine still a week-and-a-half away, and the all-important lottery (May 16) even further away than that, this is somewhat of a dead period for the NBA draft. Nevertheless, there are still important things happening--like last week's early entrant deadline, which saw an absurd 137 college basketball underclassmen (now down to 136 after USC's Bennie Boatwright announced his decision to return to school) declare for the draft. Throw in 45 international players, as well as the NCAA seniors, and that comes out to about 200 players battling it out for just 60 draft spots. Obviously, many players who haven't signed agents will still opt to return to school a la Justin Jackson last year, but it's going to be a crowded draft class nonetheless.
Elsewhere in draft news, the meddling of Lonzo Ball's dad has forced Nike, Under Armour and Adidas all to pass on potential endorsement deals with Lonzo. It's ultimately not a major development in terms of the actual draft, but it's pretty unprecedented that those three giants all choose not to work with a potential No. 1 pick, and it's evidence that Lavar Ball's antics are rubbing important people--not just the general public--the wrong way. As Ball battles with Markelle Fultz and Josh Jackson for the top overall selection, this will continue to be a storyline to monitor.
With all of that in mind, you can click through the gallery for my newest NBA mock draft and projections for the first 30 picks. (Getty)
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NBA Mock Draft 2017: Full 1st-Round Projections & Updates