NBA Draft: Ranking every draft class from 1996-2020
By Corey Rausch
Ranking NBA Draft classes from 1995-2020: 21. 2017
The 2017 NBA Draft is still coming into its own, as the rookie contracts are coming due and it is the season of extensions for those drafted. So far, there is a lot to like about this class. There have already been three All-Stars named and one player has made an All-NBA team. Funny enough, neither of these accolades has found the top two picks.
Markelle Fultz never quite fit with the Philadelphia 76ers but was starting to find his footing with the Orlando Magic before tearing his ACL this season. Lonzo Ball is a transcendent passer and has grown as a perimeter shooter (37.8 percent on 8.3 attempts this season) but he is not a star. However, the rest of the class is rounding out nicely.
Jayson Tatum is the crown jewel of the class and is an elite scorer. He accelerated the rebuild of the Boston Celtics and helped propel the team to three Conference Finals appearances in four seasons. Donovan Mitchell and Bam Adebayo may have been picked 13th and 14th respectively, but they have blossomed into franchise pillars. Mitchell has regularly put magical postseason performances and Adebayo is one of the best two-way big men in the league.
Beyond this top three, the potential is still very real. De’Aaron Fox is a star waiting for a stage. If Jonathan Isaac can ever remain healthy he is a transformative defensive force. Malik Monk and Luke Kennard are stellar shooters. John Collins has flourished with the Atlanta Hawks. Rounding out the first round with Jarrett Allen, OG Anunoby, Kyle Kuzma, Derrick White and Josh Hart is impressive. Second-rounders like Frank Jackson, Wes Iwundu, Thomas Bryant, Dillon Brook and Monte Morris have already taken major strides. When the class hits its prime it is likely to skyrocket up this list.