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2017 NBA Mock Draft — 3.0: Can Ball possibly drop out of the top 5?

By Simon Hannig

Feb 4, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) passes UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) during the second half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. UCLA won 107-66. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 4, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) passes UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) during the second half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. UCLA won 107-66. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 17, 2017; Greenville, SC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jayson Tatum (0) shoots the ball against Troy Trojans forward Alex Hicks (30) during the second half in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2017; Greenville, SC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jayson Tatum (0) shoots the ball against Troy Trojans forward Alex Hicks (30) during the second half in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

3.) Boston Celtics (via Philadelphia) — Jayson Tatum, Duke — Small Forward

With the Celtics making that blockbuster trade and Lonzo Ball not coming in for a workout, I can see the Celtics taking the second best small forward in the draft in Jayson Tatum.

Tatum is a scoring machine and the Celtics already have a ton of defensive two’s and three’s. They need someone to take the load off of Isaiah Thomas in terms of scoring and Tatum can do just that. Tatum can also help space the floor for the Celtics.

This makes the most sense for Boston. Tatum averaged 16.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.1 blocks per game in 33.3 minutes for Duke.

Tatum does not have the ceiling of Jackson, but his physique along with his shooting will be a huge reason that the Celtics take him.