NBA Mock Draft 2016: Bold Predictions for Low-Profile Prospects
While we are still a long way from the 2016 NBA draft on June 23, there are a number of prospects who aren't getting the hype they deserve.
Players such as Ben Simmons and Brandon Ingram are getting the most buzz because of their standings as the likely top two picks, while college stars Buddy Hield and Denzel Valentine already have plenty of fans. Other players have generated interest, but some guys still remain relatively anonymous heading into the offseason.
Here is a look at a complete mock draft as well as a breakdown of some prospects who aren't household names quite yet but could be drafted much higher than anticipated.
| 1 | Philadelphia 76ers | Brandon Ingram | SG | Duke |
| 2 | Los Angeles Lakers | Ben Simmons | PF | LSU |
| 3 | Boston Celtics (via BKN) | Dragan Bender | PF | Croatia |
| 4 | Phoenix Suns | Jaylen Brown | SF | California |
| 5 | Minnesota Timberwolves | Henry Ellenson | PF | Marquette |
| 6 | New Orleans Pelicans | Buddy Hield | SG | Oklahoma |
| 7 | Denver Nuggets (via NYK) | Jamal Murray | SG | Kentucky |
| 8 | Sacramento Kings | Kris Dunn | PG | Providence |
| 9 | Toronto Raptors (via DEN) | Jakob Poeltl | C | Utah |
| 10 | Milwaukee Bucks | Demetrius Jackson | PG | Notre Dame |
| 11 | Orlando Magic | Ivan Rabb | PF | California |
| 12 | Utah Jazz | Timothe Luwawu | SF | France |
| 13 | Phoenix Suns (via WAS) | Marquese Chriss | PF | Washington |
| 14 | Chicago Bulls | Wade Baldwin IV | PG | Vanderbilt |
| 15 | Denver Nuggets (via HOU) | Deyonta Davis | PF | Michigan State |
| 16 | Boston Celtics (via DAL) | Denzel Valentine | SF | Michigan State |
| 17 | Memphis Grizzlies | Furkan Korkmaz | SG | Turkey |
| 18 | Detroit Pistons | Domantas Sabonis | PF | Gonzaga |
| 19 | Denver Nuggets (via POR) | Taurean Prince | SF | Baylor |
| 20 | Indiana Pacers | Skal Labissiere | C | Kentucky |
| 21 | Atlanta Hawks | Brice Johnson | PF | North Carolina |
| 22 | Charlotte Hornets | Diamond Stone | C | Maryland |
| 23 | Boston Celtics | Malik Beasley | SG | Florida State |
| 24 | Philadelphia 76ers (MIA) | Tyler Ulis | PG | Kentucky |
| 25 | Los Angeles Clippers | DeAndre' Bembry | SF | Saint Joseph's |
| 26 | Philadelphia 76ers (OKC) | Thon Maker | C | Australia |
| 27 | Toronto Raptors | Malcolm Brogdon | SF | Virginia |
| 28 | Phoenix Suns (via CLE) | Ante Zizic | C | Croatia |
| 29 | San Antonio Spurs | A.J. Hammons | C | Purdue |
| 30 | Golden State Warriors | Ben Bentil | PF | Providence |
Henry Ellenson, PF, Marquette
This year has a number of one-and-done stars, but it's tough to remember many getting less hype than Henry Ellenson.
Marquette wasn't good enough to make the NCAA tournament this season, and since Ellenson didn't come in with Simmons' background, it was easy for him to be overlooked. However, the power forward had an impressive season with the Big East team, as head coach Steve Wojciechowski told ESPN Milwaukee:
Ellenson averaged 17.0 points and 9.7 rebounds per game while showcasing a wide skill set throughout the year. The 6'11" player has great footwork to help him score in the post to go with a nice shooting touch that extends to the three-point line. Although he shot just 28.8 percent from beyond the arc, he has the talent to be a threat from outside.
On defense, the freshman made an impact with his shot-blocking and rebounding abilities, ranking third in the Big East with a 24.1 percent defensive rebounding rate, per KenPom.com.
The fifth overall pick might be considered high for this prospect, but Ellenson has what it takes to be a big-time contributor at the next level, and he could form a nice tandem next to Karl-Anthony Towns in the Minnesota Timberwolves frontcourt.
Timothe Luwawu, SF, France
While he is the No. 12 pick in this mock draft, Timothe Luwawu could easily end up in the top 10 by the time the draft comes around in June.
Fans often have an idea in their heads about European players as unathletic shooters who are afraid to go inside. Luwawu is nothing close to this stereotype as an explosive small forward with the versatility to play shooting guard and even point guard in the NBA.
Jonathan Givony of The Vertical noted the player's strengths:
"Luwawu has pretty much everything you look for in a two-way, role-playing NBA wing. He has strong physical attributes for a shooting guard or small forward, standing (in his words) 6-foot-7 without shoes with a 6-11 wingspan and he weighs 205 pounds with excellent athletic ability. He is very smooth and fluid, and can play above the rim with ease, sometimes in highlight-reel fashion.
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The highlight-reel plays aren't an exaggeration:
With the ability to attack the basket, shoot from the outside and defend at a high level, Luwawu has all the tools to be a star in the NBA. At this point, his decision-making and consistency on both ends of the court—both fixable problems—are the only things holding him back.
Drafting any international star is a risk, but Luwawu is a player who can contribute right away and will only get better. The Utah Jazz would love if a player of this ability fell to them and could help the squad get back to the playoffs.
Wade Baldwin IV, PG, Vanderbilt
The Chicago Bulls need a point guard they can count on, and few players at the position in this draft class possess as much upside as Wade Baldwin IV.
Baldwin stands at 6'3", but he has a massive wingspan of 6'10", according to DraftExpress. This especially helps him on the defensive end, which Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman pointed out during the season:
The guard gets his hands into passing lanes, and opposing players will have a hard time feeding the post when Baldwin is on the ball. His length also makes an impact on the offensive end, where he can take advantage of a high release point and get off more shots than other players his size.
While the Vanderbilt star has room to improve, he already knows how to create his own looks as well as open opportunities for others with averages of 14.1 points and 5.2 assists per game this year. He can knock down shots from the outside (42.2 percent from three-point range in his two college seasons) while also consistently finishing at the rim.
Kris Dunn is a better all-around player, and Demetrius Jackson is quicker. But in a relatively weak point guard class, Baldwin could easily jump into the lottery and have a successful NBA career.
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