2016 NBA Mock Draft: Predictions for Intriguing Prospects Pre-NCAA Championship

As a showcase for the future of the NBA, the March Madness bracket did pretty well for itself.

That's not the primary function, of course. But as Villanova and North Carolina get ready to contend for a title, the 2016 NBA draft outlook certainly has a redefined look after about a month of action.

For a top prospect like Utah's Jakob Poeltl, the tournament turned out to be a disaster after a second-round exit in which he was completely neutralized. Someone like Oklahoma's Buddy Hield, though, implanted himself in minds around the globe and won't let go.

Before the title game, here's an updated look at the state of the draft.

2016 NBA Mock Draft

Pick	Team	Player
1.	Philadelphia 76ers	F Ben Simmons, LSU
2.	Los Angeles Lakers	SF Brandon Ingram, Duke
3.	Phoenix Suns	SG Buddy Hield, Oklahoma
4.	Boston Celtics (from Brooklyn)	SF Jaylen Brown, California
5.	Minnesota Timberwolves	PF/C Skal Labissiere, Kentucky
6.	New Orleans Pelicans	PG Kris Dunn, Providence
7.	Sacramento Kings	PF Dragan Bender, Turkey
8.	Toronto Raptors (from New York)	PF Henry Ellenson, Marquette
9.	Denver Nuggets	SG Jamal Murray, Kentucky
10.	Orlando Magic	PF/C Deyonta Davis, Michigan State
11.	Milwaukee Bucks	C Jakob Poeltl, Utah
12.	Phoenix Suns (from Washington)	PG Wade Baldwin IV, Vanderbilt
13.	Utah Jazz	SG Furkan Korkmaz, Turkey
14.	Chicago Bulls	PF Ivan Rabb, California
15.	Boston Celtics (from Dallas)	SG Timothe Luwawu, France
16.	Denver Nuggets (from Houston)	C Diamond Stone, Maryland
17.	Detroit Pistons	SG Denzel Valentine, Michigan State
18.	Denver Nuggets (from Portland)	PG Demetrius Jackson, Notre Dame
19.	Indiana Pacers	SF Taurean Prince, Baylor
20.	Atlanta Hawks	C Damian Jones, Vanderbilt
21.	Charlotte Hornets	SG Grayson Allen, Duke
22.	Philadelphia 76ers (from Miami)	PF Brice Johnson, North Carolina
23.	Memphis Grizzlies	SG Malcolm Brogdon, Virginia
24.	Boston Celtics	PF Domantas Sabonis, Gonzaga
25.	Los Angeles Clippers	C Cheick Diallo, Kansas
26.	Philadelphia 76ers (from Oklahoma City)	F Dorian Finney-Smith, Florida
27.	Toronto Raptors	F Paul Zipser, Germany
28.	Phoenix Suns (from Cleveland)	G Caris LeVert, Michigan
29.	San Antonio Spurs	PG Melo Trimble, Maryland
30.	Golden State Warriors	C Stephen Zimmerman, UNLV

Predictions for Intriguing Prospects

3. Phoenix Suns: SG Buddy Hield, Oklahoma

Hield got a mention in the intro because he was by far the best player in the tournament.

Entering the bracket, some had reservations about Hield in large part because of his age (22). As a senior, some would suggest his value dips. After the tournament, though, maybe it's better to think of the Oklahoma product of an example as to how adding another year of required play before entering the draft could be a good thing.

Oklahoma made it farther than most figured because Hield simply went off, doing better than his average of 25 points per game with three outings at 27 points or more, including a 37-point outburst to upend No. 1 Oregon.

Add it all up, and Hield departs the collegiate level with some notable hardware, as captured by ESPN College BBall:

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ICYMI: Buddy Hield named Naismith Player of the Year, joining Blake Griffin as only players in OU history to win. pic.twitter.com/oz2NibNbdB

— ESPN College BBall (@ESPNCBB) April 3, 2016"

At 6'4" and 214 pounds, Hield has a crazy combination of size, scoring ability and mature leadership not found in many prospects given the current rules of the draft.

It's why a team like the Phoenix Suns won't have any issue pulling the trigger in the top three. The Suns already have one of the best young shooters in the league thanks to Devin Booker, but he needs someone like Hield in the rotation alongside him as a complement. Call it the perfect fit.

6. New Orleans Pelicans: PG Kris Dunn, Providence

One of the more interesting players in college last year because he chose to stay for another year, Kris Dunn put up another strong season with averages of 16.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 6.2 assists. 

A true floor general, the only problem with Dunn sticking around was the fact he didn't improve in the one area that needed it—shooting. Instead, his percentage from the floor dipped a few points to 45 percent.

Still, Dunn didn't exit the tournament in the second round without making a statement. His Providence Friars didn't stand much of a chance against North Carolina, but in the 85-66 loss, Dunn still posted 29 points while shooting 63 percent from the field.

Providence coach Ed Cooley hasn't been shy in singing his veteran leader's praises throughout the season.

"All season long, Kris was the best player on the floor," Cooley said, according to NBA.com's Chris Dortch. "It didn't matter who we played. Arizona. Michigan State. North Carolina. He was clearly the best player on the floor. He's just a dominant, dominant guard." 

One of the best comparisons for Dunn is John Wall, as he comes in at 6'4" and 220 pounds with an iffy jumper but most everything else. Maybe the big exception here is Dunn enters the league north of 20 years old.

Alas, such a factor won't stop a team like the New Orleans Pelicans, who could do away with the Norris Cole-Jrue Holiday situation at the point and don't know what's going to happen with Eric Gordon.

With a need to build properly around Anthony Davis, the Pelicans need a leader like Dunn to come in and help as soon as possible.

22. Philadelphia 76ers (from Miami): PF Brice Johnson, North Carolina

Another intriguing senior prospect, North Carolina's Brice Johnson came on in a major way this season and now has his team fighting for a title. 

Johnson is an absolute monster in the paint this year at 6'9" and 228 pounds. Such a size won't translate to similar dominance in the Association, but it has let him put on a show in terms of what he can do.

Forget averages of 17 points and 10.5 rebounds (up from 12.9 and 7.8 last year); Johnson turned it up another notch in the bracket, posting three double-doubles with north of 20 points and 10 or more boards.

Johnson uses his size well and bumped his shooting percentage from 57 percent to 61 percent this year. In other words, he's hit on every check mark when one looks back to a scouting conclusion written by DraftExpress' Jacob Eisenberg before the season:

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All in all, Johnson's combination of athleticism and scoring instincts will certainly catch some NBA teams' radars. His skillset is fairly confined, but he manages to stay productive nonetheless. Not many big men move or finish as well as him, and if he can continue to expand his shooting range and show he can hold his own defensively, he could easily convince a team to invest a few years in him to see how much further his frame, feel and skill-level can continue to evolve. Still, with this being his senior season, he will need to show improvement if he wants to advance his chances.

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In a perfect world, the Philadelphia 76ers use their early picks to address guard spots and can add some quality depth such as Johnson here later in the round.

Though perhaps not an immediate contributor, Johnson has the potential to grow with the young core in Philadelphia and make a major impact down the road.

All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.