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NBA lottery mock draft: Teams get crazy with trades, Heat land the perfect fit

By Wes Goldberg

Mar 23, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Josh Jackson (11) looks to pass as Purdue Boilermakers guard Ryan Cline (14) defends during the first half in the semifinals of the midwest Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Sprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Josh Jackson (11) looks to pass as Purdue Boilermakers guard Ryan Cline (14) defends during the first half in the semifinals of the midwest Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Sprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 19, 2017; Greenville, SC, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Luke Kennard (5) shoots the ball against South Carolina Gamecocks guard Sindarius Thornwell (0) during the first half in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2017; Greenville, SC, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Luke Kennard (5) shoots the ball against South Carolina Gamecocks guard Sindarius Thornwell (0) during the first half in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

7. Dallas (from Minnesota): Frank Ntlikina, Point Guard, International

We have a trade!

The Mavericks leap frog the New York Knicks to get the player they want, Frank Ntlikina.

Dallas is looking for their point guard of the future (and as well as Yogi Ferrell played last season, he’s more likely their future J.J. Barea) and they get a guy who is long, athletic, and can run an offense. He’s been compared to George Hill, which wouldn’t be a bad end result. A player who can hit 3’s and defend at an elite level.

Rick Carlisle will simplify the offense for him early, but the future looks promising with Ntlikina, Nerlens Noel and Harrison Barnes.

8. New York: Luke Kennard, Guard, Duke

With Ntlikina off the table, the Knicks could go with Dennis Smith Jr., the athletic point guard out of N.C. State. However, Phil Jackson has preached the Triangle all summer long, and he’s going to get a point guard who fits that system. That point guard–who isn’t really a point guard–is Duke’s Luke Kennard.

Kennard can handle the ball enough, but what is really appealing about him is his 3-point shooting and intangibles. Kennard can stroke it from deep, and he’ll provide spacing for the Knicks immediately. He’s a monster competitor and a leader, which the Knicks could use right about now.

Is this a reach? Yes. Are there better players with more upside on the board? Absolutely. Could this end up being Phil Jackson’s last consequential draft pick? Probably. I don’t agree with it, I just calls it as I sees it.

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