NBA Draft 2016: Latest Mock Draft for the Best Prospects Atop Round 1
Drafts are exciting because of the uncertainty surrounding the top picks. While the 2016 NBA draft initially appeared relatively structured, fans should get ready for some mayhem over the next couple of months.
Ben Simmons has been projected as the No. 1 pick since the start of the college basketball season, but his grip on the top spot is no longer secure. The latest mock draft features a change at the top as well as a few surprises throughout the first round.
Here is a look at projections for the first 30 picks in the June 23 NBA draft along with a breakdown of the most notable players at the top.
| 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 |
Breakdown of Top Picks
Philadelphia 76ers: Brandon Ingram, SF, Duke
Brandon Ingram can't do all the things Simmons does on a court. He isn't as good of a passer, isn't a great rebounder and his defense needs work. However, we know what Ingram will be at the next level, and his upside for that role remains off the chart.
Simmons doesn't fit a true position in the NBA and will have to adjust to players around him as well as the system he joins. On the other hand, Ingram can help anyone as a true perimeter scorer who can be dominant right out of the gate.
The 6'9" wing can drive to the net and finish at the rim, can make shots from the outside and has a developed mid-range game as well. Sam Vecenie of CBS Sports explained how the player uses his body to help him:
According to DraftExpress, Ingram has a 7'3" wingspan which allows him to get a shot off against any defender from anywhere on the court. The length also helps him defensively to close passing lanes and keep a man in front on isolation plays while affecting shots as a rim protector.
If the Philadelphia 76ers end up with the first pick, it would make more sense to grab an elite perimeter scorer who can help out right away than another big man they are unsure about.
Los Angeles Lakers: Ben Simmons, PF, LSU
While Ingram might have moved into the top spot, Simmons represents quite a consolation prize.
The power forward put up incredible numbers during his freshman season and is one of the more unique players to come through the draft in years, something coaches around the league seemed to agree with, per Jerry Tipton of Kentucky.com:
Missouri guard Terrence Phillips added during the year, per Tod Palmer of the Kansas City Star, "He’s very rare. He’s a 6'10" point-forward. You don’t really see that in college and high school. You only see that in the NBA."
Simmons showed off his wide skill set throughout the year at LSU, filling up the box score with averages of 19.2 points, 11.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 2.0 steals per game. His team wasn't good enough to make the NCAA tournament, but the forward was a star at this level and almost impossible to defend.
While questions remain about where he will fit on a team, there is no question he can be an elite scorer, rebounder and playmaker in the NBA. If he can develop an outside shot, he could be an even bigger star.
If Simmons does go to the Los Angeles Lakers, he could join his former high school teammate D'Angelo Russell in a nice young core to develop in the post-Kobe Bryant era.
Boston Celtics: Dragan Bender, PF, Croatia
Most playoff teams that are ready to compete now look to the draft to get an immediate fix for one small area. This shouldn't be the plan for the Boston Celtics, who are in a unique position to take an elite player this early in the first round.
Dragan Bender might not be as helpful next year as a more proven player such as Oklahoma's Buddy Hield, but the forward can be a difference-maker down the line and a potential star for a team that needs one.
The Croatian player is currently spending time with Maccabi Tel-Aviv in Israel, where he has struggled to get playing time but has impressed when on the floor. Derek Bodner for USA Today broke down the defensive work on display:
"Scouts absolutely love Bender's athleticism, particularly his mobility, a relatively unique attribute for somebody 7-1. Bender has regularly defended perimeter ball handlers, both when switching on pick and rolls and as a straight-up defensive assignment. ...
He gets himself in a good defensive stance, has extremely quick feet, and has great recovery speed when he does get beat off the dribble.
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In today's NBA, where everyone goes small and defending the pick-and-roll is important, Bender is the perfect fit defensively. On offense, he has a fluid game and the ability to stretch the floor out to the three-point line.
There is an understandable fear about drafting an unknown international like this, but Bender has all the tools to be a big-time contributor early in his career.
Phoenix Suns: Jaylen Brown, SF, California
The Phoenix Suns could use a top-notch small forward, but this pick is about more than need. Despite an up-and-down freshman year, Jaylen Brown remains one of the best players in this draft.
At 6'7" with good strength and plenty of length, Brown can become an elite defender on the perimeter, something he showed throughout his year with the Bears. Offensively, he can create his own shot either by pulling up or driving to the basket. Add this to elite athleticism, and the Georgia native seems like the complete package.
The problems at this point come from his decision-making ability. Brown made just 43.1 percent of his shots this year, including 29.4 percent from three-point range. He also turned the ball over 3.1 times per game. He does have the ability to shoot and could be a quality ball-handler, but he seemed to try to do too much and couldn't get away with it.
His 5-for-29 from the field in three postseason games was indicative of these problems.
Still, these are mental issues that the right coaching in the right system can fix. The physical tools are all there for him to be a star, which makes him a worthy pick at No. 4 overall.
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