With the third edition of our 2016 NBA mock draft we look at some movement with the NBA combine occurring over the weekend of May 12th through the 15th. This is also our last mock before we truly find out the order of the lottery with the draft lottery happening Tuesday May 17th. Once Tuesday passes we will have a clearer idea of who will pick where and maybe where guys will go based on needs and fits.
(NOTE: The draft positions are based on season ending standings)
2016 NBA Mock Draft: 1st Round
1) Philadelphia 76ers- PF Ben Simmons (LSU)
Best player in the draft, plain and simple. Ben Simmons is an excellent rebounder at 6’10 and can blow by other power forwards with his extreme quickness. When around the rim he can finish with both hands and we haven’t even mentioned his excellent passing skills, something rarely seen from a guy his height. Simmons is falling on some draft boards but not here. Simmons is still the best player in this draft, nothing has changed in our eyes.
2) Los Angeles Lakers- SF Brandon Ingram (Duke)
It is him and Simmons at the top and then a dramatic drop off. Ingram showed a great ability to really score the ball from all levels in his one season at Duke. As he continues to fill out he could be similar to a Kevin Durant with his scoring ability. Ingram is making a push for the number one spot on some boards. Once the lottery happens Tuesday we may bump him based on who is picking in that top spot and if he fits better than Simmons. Until then he remains number two.
3) Boston Celtics via Brooklyn Nets- PF/C Dragan Bender (Croatia)
Dragan Bender reminds many people of Kristaps Porzingis although not as tall only being 7’1 with a 7’2 wingspan. He is definitely a risk at this spot but with this class not being loaded it may be worth the risk for the Celtics at the three spot. A place he’ll most likely remain barring bad workouts in the draft lead up.
4) Phoenix Suns – PF Henry Ellenson (Marquette)
Ellenson didn’t have the hype some other freshman got this year but he might have been one of if not the most productive averaging 17 points and 9 rebounds while showing an ability to step outside and knock down the three. He could be a very nice fit in Phoenix with the team needing a power forward.
5) Minnesota Timberwolves- SG Buddy Hield (Oklahoma)
With the Timberwolves not owning a ton of guys who are great three-point shooters, I like Buddy Hield here. Hield showed this year how good of a shooter he is whether spot up catch and shoot or off the bounce. Hield could be a great fit in the back court spacing the floor for guys like Andrew Wiggins and Zach Lavine to drive the lane.
6) New Orleans Pelicans- PG Kris Dunn (Providence)
Dunn’s play-making ability would be great here to sort of help take over for an oft-injured Jrue Holiday. His pick and roll skills would be a match made in heaven with a guy like Anthony Davis as well.
7) Denver Nuggets (via New York Knicks) PG/SG Jamal Murray (Kentucky)
Murray and Emmanuel Mudiay the Nuggets 2015 1st round draft pick could form a nice combo guard duo in the Nuggets backcourt. Playing two point guards at the same time is never a bad idea considering both are comfortable without the ball especially Murray. These two would seem to compliment each other well with Mudiay more of a slasher while Murray is a deadly 3pt shooter.
8) Sacramento Kings- SF Jaylen Brown (Cal)
Brown has a knack for getting to the hole and drawing contact and he is also a good defender who could help improve the Kings perimeter defense. Supremely talented wing with physicality and he’s not just strong, but he’s also a high-level athlete so it could be a a great piece to take over for Rudy Gay after his contract expires in the next year.
9) Toronto Raptors (via Denver Nuggets)- PF Deyonta Davis (Michigan State)
Davis is a guy who could have returned to school and developed some parts of his game but is also a guy with tons of potential. Davis is 6’10 but could stand to put on some weight. The Raptors need a power forward and while Davis may be a year or two away from being a serious contributor he could help give good minutes off the bench in his early years.
10) Milwaukee Bucks- PF/C Skal Labisierre (Kentucky)
The Bucks front court isn’t loaded but it is solid allowing them to draft a player like Skal who will need time to develop. If he ever reaches that potential he could be a very good player in the league. With his 7’0 size, mid range jumper and shot blocking ability Labisierre has the chance to be a very good player in the future.
11) Orlando Magic- PF Marquese Chriss (Washington)
A prospect with lots of upside and lots of athleticism. Chriss is interesting choice here and could develop into a really good power forward. With not many can’t miss guys here Chriss is a nice high risk-reward for Orlando and sandwiched between Aaron Gordon and Nikola Vucevic, he could add another dimension to their offense.
12) Utah Jazz- SG/SF Timothe Luwawu (France)
A 6’7 wing that has “3 and D” written all over him could fit in on a Jazz squad not loaded with great wings. He could form a nice 2/3 with Gordon Hayward or play behind him as a shooter off the bench.
13) Phoenix Suns (via Washington Wizards)- Jakob Poeltl PF/C (Utah)
A seven footer who can score on the block and defend the rim. Poeltl could be a guy the Suns look to move on draft or they may trade down. With them drafting Ellenson earlier in the draft to help shore up the PF spot and no wings worthy of this spot I can see them trading down or trading a guy like Poetl for other pieces.
14) Chicago Bulls- PG Wade Baldwin IV (Vanderbilt)
Baldwin could be a nice back up option to Derrick Rose in his last years with the Bulls before they decide whether to re-sign him or not. Baldwin is loaded with potential with good athleticism, a solid 3 pt shot, but the real bonus is his 6’10 wingspan at only 6’4″.
15) Denver Nuggets via Houston Rockets- SF Taurean Prince (Baylor)
Another “3 and D” wing here and this one is going to Denver and could fit in nicely there playing behind Gary Harris and Danilo Gallinari. Prince won’t command a bunch of shots which is something that could compliment those two scoring wings nicely.
16) Boston Celtics (via Dallas Mavericks)- PF Domantas Sabonis (Gonzaga)
An excellent rebounder that won’t be a superstar but will be a great pro. Sabonis is not flashy but he’s just a ‘come to work every day’ guy that can help you win games and he could be a nice addition up front with the crop of bigs the Celtics have.
17) Memphis Grizzlies- PG/SG Denzel Valentine (Michigan State)
Valentine is a guy who can play both back court spots with his shooting and playmaking ability. Those two skills are something that will translate very well and of course playing under Tom Izzo doesn’t hurt. With the Grizzlies about to possibly lose Mike Conley, giving Valentine a look here would be a smart idea.
18) Detroit Pistons – PG Demetruis Jackson (Notre Dame)
Jackson could a nice back up point guard option behind Reggie Jackson. The back up point guard options once Jackson went to the bench this year just weren’t good enough with an aging Steve Blake and Spencer Dinwiddie. Jackson would be an upgrade right away and at times could even co-exist with Jackson like he did as a sophomore playing alongside the Knicks’ Jerian Grant.
19) Denver Nuggets via Portland Trailblazers- PG Tyler Ulis (Kentucky)
Yes he is only 5’9 but Ulis is one of the best point guards in this draft. If he had the height of even a Chris Paul and was only 6’0 he would a top ten if not top 5 draft pick that’s how good he is. Because of his size he may never be a full-time starter in this league but he has the chance to be one of the better back up point guards in the league because of his feel for the game.
20) Indiana Pacers- SG Malik Beasley (Florida State)
An athletic shooting guard, Beasley showed an ability to talk knock down the three. He would be a good addition as back up to Monta Ellis while he continues develop after coming out as a freshman
21) Atlanta Hawks- PF/C Damian Jones (Vanderbilt)
Jones is a 6’11 PF/C with the ability to score down low with an improving outside shot. He can hit the trey but you probably don’t want him taking a bunch early on. Jones could be a nice backup to Al Horford early in his career with the Hawks.
22) Charlotte Hornets- SG Malachi Richardson (Syracuse)
The 6’6 shooting guard from Syracuse attended the combine to see where he was standing. He told reporters with a first-round guarantee he would be gone and the gamble seemed to pay off. Richardson’s smooth shooting stroke and good athleticism were enough to get him the feedback he wanted of slipping in the late first round.
23) Boston Celtics- SG Furkan Korkmaz (Turkey)
With their third pick of the first round the Celtics take a wing from Turkey with a nice three point stroke that could help out a Celtic team who need shooters. If he comes over right away could be a nice spot up guy off the bench.
24) Philadelphia 76ers via Miami Heat- PF/C Stephen Zimmerman (UNLV)
A 7’0 who could use some time to bulk up. Going to the 76ers would give him time to develop and grow behind the other multitude of bigs they have in the organization in his first couple of years. Zimmerman was thought of as a lottery pick coming into college so this could be a coup for the Sixers.
25) Los Angeles Clippers- PF/C Diamond Stone (Marlyand)
The Clippers aren’t exactly loaded in the front court so the pick of Diamond Stone here is something I like. He won’t be counted on right away but will still be able to get his feet wet some while he develops.
26) Philadelphia 76ers via Oklahoma City Thunder-C Ante Zizic (Croatia)
Ante is a 6’11 energizer bunny. He runs the floor very well for his size and he is able to pick up easy buckets that way. Could be a nice stash guy for the 76ers at the 26 spot.
27) Toronto Raptors- PF Cheick Diallo (Kansas)
After going with a guy in Ellenson earlier to help fill a need the Raptors take another freshman but one that needs some seasoning and time to learn the game. Once Diallo does he could in the mold of a DeAndre Jordan or Tyson Chandler after he puts on some weight as well.
28) Phoenix Suns (via Cleveland Cavaliers)- PF/C Thon Maker (Athlete Institute Basketball Academy)
This guy has the best high school mixtape maybe ever and has been on the scene for years now. Maker was the guy a few years back standing at 7’0 that played like a guard that had everyone salivating at the thought of him going to their school. Well he finished high school and went to a prep school in Canada so he could qualify for college and still was told he’d most likely be ineligible so has decided to just enter the draft, he won’t be a contributor for a couple of years but could be a solid role player in the future.
29) San Antonio Spurs- DeAndre Bembry (St. Joseph’s)
Bembry breaks up the run of big guys here towards the end of the first round. He is a perfect fit for the Spurs as a guy with High IQ that rebounds well for a 6’6 wing. He also showed the ability to pass well averaging 4.5 his last year at St. Joe’s.
30) Golden State Warriors- PF Brice Johnson (North Carolina)
Energy, energy, energy. That is what Brice Johnson will bring to the league, he showed a back to the basket game his senior year but he won’t be a guy you throw it down low to. He can come in bring good energy as a role player and be similar to a Thomas Robinson with a more consistent mid-range jumper.
