Will the 2017 NBA draft become synonymous with other famous years, such as 1984 (which included Hall of Famers Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon, Charles Barkley and John Stockton) and 2003 (headlined by LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and Carmelo Anthony), or will it fail to meet expectations?

The ensuing years will answer that question, but on paper, this looks to be one of the best NBA drafts in years.

Here's a look at a new mock draft alongside three themes to watch for this year.

Five Point Guards in Lottery

There will be a run on point guards in the lottery portion of the NBA draft for two reasons.

First, point guard is by far the most loaded position this year, with floor generals Markelle Fultz and Lonzo Ball in particular landing in the top three of everyone's big board this year.

Therefore, teams that are looking for the best player available, rather than striving to fill a need, may end up picking a point guard.

That being said, a few lottery teams need help there. The New York Knicks will move on from Derrick Rose, who is a free agent. Darren Collison and Ty Lawson aren't the long-term answers for the Sacramento Kings, and the Reggie Jackson era in Detroit looks over after he was benched numerous times for Ish Smith this season.

Expect no fewer than five point guards to go within the first 14 picks of this year's draft.

March Breakout Stars

Some players raised their stocks dramatically in the NCAA tournament.

Gonzaga center Zach Collins scored 14 points, grabbed 13 boards and blocked six shots against South Carolina in the Final Four. That performance will be fresh in teams' minds as they consider Collins during draft season. It also helps that he's 7'0" and just 19 years old. Don't expect him to fall outside the lottery.

Otherwise, look out for Oregon forward Jordan Bell if he decides to leave early (Bell is finishing his junior year and has not declared yet). He willed Oregon to one of the most impressive wins in the tournament, a 74-60 victory over Kansas in the Elite Eight. Not only did Bell block eight shots, but he did so in a road environment, as the game took place in Kansas City, just 45 minutes from the KU campus.

Bell is a bit undersized for a big man at the NBA level at 6'9" and 225 pounds, but he's athletic, energetic and can provide some life to a team's bench right away.

Where Have All the Big Men Gone?

Only one prototypical center (Collins) is projected to go in the lottery portion of the NBA draft.

The NBA has undergone a dramatic shift over the years, with the game evolving from the inside out. In other words, true centers no longer dominate the game like in the days of Shaquille O'Neal, Hakeem Olajuwon, Patrick Ewing, David Robinson and others.

Rather, superstar point guards (and point forwards) lead a slash-and-kick game with three-pointers raining all night.

Don't expect that shift to change any time soon given this year's draft class.

POSTED BY:OPUOMONI PRIYE

DATE:04/16/2017