The 2016 NCAA Tournament ended in exciting fashion and the next thing for college basketball fans to look forward to is the professional destination for some of their favorite young stars. With the NBA season coming to an end, it means the beginning of NBA teams starting to workout and train some prospects in preparation for the 2016 NBA Draft. The first version of the 2016 NBA Mock Draft will take a look at where young collegiate stars like Ben Simmons, Buddy Hield, Brandon Ingram, Brice Johnson and Tyler Ulis may be drafted in June.
(NOTE: The draft positions are based on current standings)
2016 1st round Mock Draft
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
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.
3) Phoenix Suns- 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 Suns.
4) Boston Celtics via Brooklyn Nets- SG Buddy Hield (Oklahoma)
With the Celtics 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 with mixing and matching Avery Bradley, Marcus Smart, and Isaiah Thomas as his back court mate.
5) Minnesota Timberwolves- PF Ivan Rabb (Cal)
Matching up Rabb with Karl-Anthony Towns down low could create a nice combo of bigs in the post. Both guys can run which fits in with the sort of team the T-Wolves seem to building and both would have the ability to play down low or step outside. I like Rabb here and with good development could turn into a Chris Bosh type of player.
6) New Orleans Pelicans- PG Kris Dunn (Providence)
Dunn’s playmaking 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) Sacramento Kings- SG/PG Jamal Murray (Kentucky)
With the future of the Sacramento Kings backcourt in an ever changing flux, the Kings, looking to seemingly build ‘Kentucky west’ would be foolish to pass up on Murray. Murray is a combo guard at 6’4″ and 207 pounds so he possess the size to play both guard positions, so even if the Kings do keep or let go either Rajon Rondo or Ben McLeMore, he could play alongside either player. He has three point range that must be respected by his defender, which would help the Kings shooting and he takes open driving lanes when he sees them, so attacking the rim isn’t a problem for Murray.
8) Denver Nuggets (via New York Knicks)- SF Jaylen Brown (Cal)
Brown has a knack for getting to the hole and drawing contact and he is also a good defender and the combination of him and alongside Gary Harris Jr on the court together could help improve the Nuggets 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 another great piece added to the Nuggets young core.
9) Toronto Raptors (via Denver Nuggets)- 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 Toronto with the team needing a power forward.
10) Milwaukee Bucks- 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 Greg Monroe or an energy guy off the bench.
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) Phoenix Suns (via Washington Wizards)- SG/SF Timothe Luwawu (France)
A 6’7 wing that has “3 and D” written all over him could fit in on a Suns squad not loaded with great wings. Him and Devin Booker could form a nice 2/3 combination in the near future.
13) Houston Rockets- Jakob Poeltl PF/C (Utah)
A seven footer who can score on the block and defend the rim. Poeltl would be a nice addition to the Rockets front court and would fit in just right at that five-spot in the starting lineup but it could mean one of the young bigs they have could be on their way out in the offseason. With the future of Dwight Howard up in the air, along with the health of Donatas Motiejunas, Poeltl could be a good security option.
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) Utah Jazz- SF Taurean Prince (Baylor)
Another “3 and D” wing here and this one is going to Utah and could fit in nicely there playing behind Gordon Hayward and Rodney Hood. 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/C Skal Labisierre (Kentucky)
With the amount of picks the Celtics have they can afford 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.
17) Detroit Pistons- 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 so keeping him in Michigan could be something great for the combo guard.
18) Denver Nuggets (via Portland Trail Blazers) – PG Demetruis Jackson (Notre Dame)
Jackson could a nice back up point guard option or even start next to Emmanuel Mudiay if he proves himself right off the bat. Either way, the Nuggets might not be inclined to keep this pick but he is the best option here at 18 in a situation of taking the best player available. Their frontcourt is already loaded so adding some backcourt depth could help with the growth of both Mudiay and Gary Harris Jr.
19) Indiana Pacers- 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) Memphis Grizzlies- SG Malik Beasley (Turkey)
An athletic shooting guard, Beasley showed an ability to talk knock down the three. He would be a good addition along side Mike Conley, if he stays, and could more toughness to their backcourt.
21) Charlotte Hornets- 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 Jefferson early in his career with the Hornets.
22) Philadelphia 76ers (via Miami Heat)- SG/SF Furkan Korkmaz (Turkey)
A wing from Turkey with a nice three point stroke that could help out the Grizzlies. If other point guards fall to them I am sure they’d like to go after one of those first but if not Korkmaz could be a good option.
23) Boston Celtics- C Diamond Stone (Maryland)
With their third pick of the first round the Celtics take another big man with lots of upside but hasn’t fully put it together yet. Stone, while showing more than Labisierre from earlier, doesn’t have to the total upside of Skal and that is why he slips to the 20s, still a good pick for the C’s here.
24) Atlanta Hawks- PF/C Stephen Zimmerman (UNLV)
A 7’0 who could use some time to bulk up. Going to the Hawks would give him time to sit and really develop before becoming a contributor in the future few years. Zimmerman was thought of as a lottery pick coming into college so this could be a steal for the Hawks.
25) Los Angeles Clippers- 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 Clips at the 25 spot.
26) 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.
27) Philadelphia 76ers (via Oklahoma City Thunder)- SG Isaia Cordinier (France)
A young guy, who will be competing for the world team in the Nike Hoop Summit this Saturday and he is very athletic shooting guard with a sweet stroke from deep. It will be interesting to see how he does this weekend after shooting a scorching 47% from three in his league back in France.
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- SF/PF Juan Hernangomez (Spain)
The Spurs favorite thing to do is draft a foreign guy, stash him for a few years then bring him over and let him be a key piece in another championship run. That is what this pick will be with a young guy who is a hybrid 3/4 that in a few years will be a guy everyone says of course the Spurs drafted him.
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.
