We've reached the moment where practically everyone maintains hope.

For potential draftees, the declarations have been made. No teams have yet explained why they cannot expect to be called in the first round, or the second round, or with a summer league invite later that evening.

And the lottery teams all maintain various levels of hope, hope in the form of ping pong balls, allowing them to dream about a Fultz-ful or Ball-errific future.

So just which players are the priority in these marriages of the mind? Let's take a look at the prospect board, independent of team need, to get a sense of where things stand right now, before the cruel realities of ball bounces and team workouts cull the ranks and end the best-laid plans of lottery general managers.

2017 NBA Draft Prospect Rankings

Rank Player School Year POS HGT WGT
1 Markelle Fultz Washington Fr. PG 6-4 195
The only question is this: just whose roster wouldn't he fit on?
2 Josh Jackson Kansas Fr. SF 6-8 207
Simply does too many things well for teams to let off-the-court issues scare them away.
3 Lonzo Ball UCLA Fr. PG 6-6 190
Generational passer and elite 3-point shooter as exciting as ever.
4 Jayson Tatum Duke Fr. SF 6-8 205
Note Tatum's ability to create for himself, which has jumped him above some other wings at this point.
5 Jonathan Isaac Florida State Fr. SF 6-10 210
Elite two-way efficiency, a big who can guard the perimeter.
6 Dennis Smith Jr. NC State Fr. PG 6-3 190
The way things ended in college has not scared off many suitors.
7 Lauri Markkanen Arizona Fr. PF 7-0 230
That sour taste he left with the disappearance in the NCAA tournament doesn't change a year of elite shooting.
8 De'Aaron Fox Kentucky Fr. PG 6-3 187
The 3-point shot has improved to the point that it may not even be a weakness anymore.
9 Malik Monk Kentucky Fr. PG 6-3 200
The best argument for Fox has to be his elite shot-making from mid-range, which goes a long way toward covering for his still-missing 3-point shot.
10 Justin Jackson North Carolina Jr. SF 6-8 210
Strong perimeter defender, solid 3-point shooter and NCAA champion is a pretty good NBA resume.
11 Frank Ntilikina International - PG  
Not as advanced as his American counterparts at the top of this draft, but might have more potential than any of them.
12 Zach Collins Gonzaga Fr. C 7-0 230
There's a theory that Mark Few hoped to hide Collins by having him come off the bench this season. If so, it didn't work.
13 Donovan Mitchell Louisville Soph SG 6-3 195
Such leaping ability, fantastic perimeter defensive stopper makes up for lack of height.
14 Justin Patton Creighton Fr. C 7-0 230
A late fade for Patton doesn't change the raw tools and rare athleticism at his size, a true five.
15 Johnathan Motley Baylor Jr. PF 6-10 230
Motley does everything you'd want out of a stretch-four.
16 Isaiah Hartenstein International - PF  
Plenty of reasons to dream on this versatile import with NBA size and strength.
17 Ike Anigbogu UCLA Fr. C 6-10
The defensive tools have turned into skills, almost universally—all that's left is the offensive development, and he's so young.
18 Ivan Rabb California Soph. PF 6-11 220
Assume the rebounding and passing from the wing is legit, hope for more from 3-point range and developing post game.
19 OG Anunoby Indiana Soph SF 6-8
The wing defender every team needs.
20 Jarrett Allen Texas Fr. C 6-11 235
His offensive game is more impressive than he showed in school.
21 Caleb Swanigan Purdue Soph. PF 6-9 250
A plus rebounder who can stroke it from 3-point range.
22 TJ Leaf UCLA Fr. PF 6-10 225
Getting better at defending power forwards all the time, a vital addition to his skill set allowing him to be a potential crunch time rotation player at the next level.
23 John Collins Wake Forest Soph. PF 6-10 235
Never stopped producing, whatever questions still exist about the versatility of his offensive arsenal and inconsistent defensive approach.
24 Tacko Fall UCF Soph. C 7-6 290
A potential paradigm-changer in the NBA, further along than most 7-6 players of the past entering the pros.
25 Thomas Bryant Indiana Soph. PF 6-10 255
The inside-outside game should translate nicely.
26 Tyler Lydon Syracuse Soph. SF 6-9 223
Lydon's defensive skills were hidden by the 2-3 zone, but he should be strong NBA defender of wings.
27 Sindarius Thornwell South Carolina Sr. SG 6-5 211
Defensive motor and ability to sink big shots made Thornwell the breakout prospect of the NCAA Tournament.
28 Monte Morris Iowa State Sr. PG 6-3 175
Does not turn it over, elite playmaker and even a solid rebounder for his position.
29 Frank Mason III Kansas Sr. PG 5-11 190
Runs the precision Kansas offense quite well, drains 3-pointers, easily a rotation player at the next level even at his size.
30 Alec Peters Valparaiso Sr. PF 6-9 235
Sadly, an injury ended his season early, but this is an NBA player in versatility and body already.
31 Harry Giles Duke Fr. PF 6-10 240
A lottery ticket because of health, but not in terms of aptitude or attitude.
32 Kennedy Meeks North Carolina Sr. C 6-10 260
Will not stop rebounding at the next level.
33 Semi Ojeleye SMU Jr. SF 6-7 235
Dominated the AAC and opened eyes with his jaw-dropping dunks, fine complement for his efficient shot.
34 Terrance Ferguson International - SG 6-7
Length for a small forward as he gets older, the shot shooting guard-quality already.
35 Luke Kennard Duke Soph. SG 6-6 202
No one had a better season for the Blue Devils. Louisville's Rick Pitino wasn't sure whether Kennard or Tatum would be the better pro.
36 Jaron Blossomgame Clemson Sr. SF 6-7 220
Defense will get him minutes from the start, and his shot is clean enough that potential two-way production is quite possible.
37 Marcus Marshall Nevada Sr. SG 6-3 200
Polished enough to help out as a combo guard if he gets a chance.
38 Josh Hart Villanova Sr. SG 6-5 195
NBA build, efficient shooter, Jay Wright training.
39 PJ Dozier South Carolina Soph. SG 6-6 205
When you can guard anybody 1-4, the inconsistent shot is less determinative of future upside.
40 Tony Bradley North Carolina Fr. PF 6-11 240
Don't overlook Bradley's soft hands and rebounding when evaluating why UNC was so good this year.
41 Mathias Lessort France - PF 6-9
European import has a monster NBA body now, and the rebounding overseas to match.
42 Tyler Dorsey Oregon Soph SG 6-4
Better than break-even from 3-point range, NBA athleticism.
43 Justin Jackson Maryland Fr. SF 6-7
That wingspan manifested itself in making Jackson a defensive weapon as a freshman.
44 Dwayne Bacon Florida State Soph. SG 6-7 221
Inconsistent performances, but elite athleticism and the shot looks like it should get better.
45 Kobi Simmons Arizona Fr. PG 6-5 175
Probably could use another year for his draft stock, but height and quickness will excite NBA teams looking for a point guard to develop.
46 Dillon Brooks Oregon Jr. SF 6-7 225
No one questions the offense, but who will he guard at the next level?
47 Isaiah Briscoe Kentucky Soph. PG 6-3 210
Still needs to find his shot consistently, but a guy who can guard both guard spots is valuable.
48 L.J. Peak Georgetown Jr. SG 6-5 215
His finisher/shooter combo will attract interest in the second round.
49 Austin Nichols Virginia Jr. SF 6-7
7-3 wingspan, will make Cavaliers wonder with every made shot about what might have been.
50 Cam Oliver Nevada Soph. PF 6-8
Jumps through the roof, or is it the ceiling? Some team will want to find out.
51 Bryce Alford UCLA Sr. SG 6-3 185
One NBA skill, but that skill is shooting 3-pointers.
52 Angel Delgado Seton Hall Jr. PF 6-10 240
Proved he could carry a team to the NCAA Tournament with his scoring and rebounding.
53 Jordan Bell Oregon Jr. PF 6-9 225
Bell largely put health questions to bed, and was born to join an NBA rotation and rebound.
54 Nigel Williams-Goss Gonzaga Soph. SG 6-4
Can shoot 3-pointers (with free throw percentage suggesting more growth there), plus size for a point guard.
55 Rodions Kurucs Latvia
SF 6-8
Potential, particularly from the perimeter.
56 Edrice Adebayo Kentucky Fr. PF 6-10 260
Came on late in the season, a traditional five for the Wildcats, but talent suggests this may be low.
57 Jawun Evans Oklahoma State Soph. PG 6-1 185
He'll give his next team quality minutes running a second unit, strong scoring/passing combo, though finishing needs work.
58 Wesley Iwundu Kansas State Sr. SF 6-7 205
The length and improved perimeter shot is exciting to consider in a league that is looking for wings.
59 Billy Garrett Jr. DePaul Sr. PG 6-6 213
No one smarter in the college game, and his rugged defending of shooting guards and small forwards will be his calling card.
60 Justin Robinson Monmouth Sr. SG 5-8 175
No one works harder, and Robinson can score with anyone. Big question is height relative to who he defends at the next level.
61 Trevon Bluiett Xavier Jr. SF 6-6
Prolific 3-point shooter and offensive creator from the wing.
62 D.J. Wilson Michigan Soph PF 6-10
On the raw side, but plenty to love about Wilson's game, particularly the way he shoots 3s at his size.
63 Hamidou Diallo Kentucky Fr. SF 6-5
The Wildcat who almost was will need to do work in workouts to make his case.
64 Frank Jackson Duke Fr. G 6-3
Showed capability of helping teams at either guard spot, improved as year went on.
65 Andrew Jones Texas Fr. PG 6-4
Solid height for a point guard and a young, projectable frame.
66 Peter Jok Iowa Sr. SG 6-6 205
Let's be clear: shooting is what will get him looks at the next level, absent the NBA athleticism or defensive matchup, but few can shoot it better.
67 Tim Kempton Lehigh Sr. PF 6-10 245
Too bad Lehigh missed the tournament, and national audience didn't get to see the next Mike Muscala out of the Patriot League.
68 Edmond Sumner Xavier Soph PG 6-4
Even as he recovers from ACL tear, this point guard will draw interest, though his athleticism was a big part of the draw.
69 Kris Jenkins Villanova Sr. SF 6-6 235
Big shot history, NBA body and Jay Wright-infused instincts.
70 Sterling Brown SMU Sr. SG 6-6
Shot better than 44 percent from 3-point range, and will create his own shot at next level.
71 Devin Robinson Florida Jr. SF 6-8 200
Terrific rebounder for his size, shoots better than 39 percent on 3-pointers, finisher who will entertain and impress teams at workouts. Could be low here.
72 Nigel Hayes Wisconsin Sr. PF 6-8 240
At some point, all the winning and intelligence is enough to get the undersized power forward a chance at the next level.
73Chance ComancheArizonaSoph.PF6-11210
Improved efficiency significantly, while his athleticism remains NBA-ready, and one of Arizona's better interior defenders.
74Aaron HolidayUCLASoph.PG6-1187
A starter virtually anywhere else in the country, Holiday manages games effectively while shooting better than 41 percent from 3-point range.
75Eric MikaBYUSoph.PF6-10230
NBA-power forward size, diversifying offensive game, and elite rebounder already. Could use adding a 3-point shot to his game, and that's far from impossible.