NBA Mock Draft 2016: Updated 1st-Round Predictions, Analysis for Top Prospects

The 2016 NBA draft is less than two months away, and clarity is still elusive regarding where this year's top prospects will land come June 23. 

But that's what we're here for.

While there's still plenty to be sorted out over the coming weeks, there are several intriguing fits that deserve to be analyzed as preparation for the annual selection process ramps up.  

As a reminder, the following projections were made based on the season-ending selection order that's subject to change following the May 17 draft lottery.  

Team	Pick
1. Philadelphia 76ers	Brandon Ingram, F, Duke
2. Los Angeles Lakers	Ben Simmons, F, LSU
3. Boston Celtics (via Brooklyn Nets)	Dragan Bender, F, Maccabi Tel Aviv
4. Phoenix Suns	Jamal Murray, G, Kentucky
5. Minnesota Timberwolves	Buddy Hield, G/F, Oklahoma
6. New Orleans Pelicans	Kris Dunn, G, Providence
7. Denver Nuggets (via New York Knicks)	Jaylen Brown, F, California
8. Sacramento Kings	Timothe Luwawu, G/F, Mega Leks
9. Toronto Raptors (via Denver Nuggets)	Henry Ellenson, PF, Marquette
10. Milwaukee Bucks	Demetrius Jackson, PG, Notre Dame
11. Orlando Magic	Skal Labissiere, PF/C, Kentucky
12. Utah Jazz	Denzel Valentine, G/F, Michigan State
13. Phoenix Suns (via Washington Wizards)	Deyonta Davis, PF/C, Michigan State
14. Chicago Bulls	Jakob Poeltl, C, Utah
15. Denver Nuggets (via Houston Rockets)	Furkan Korkmaz, SG, Anadolu Efes
16. Boston Celtics (via Dallas Mavericks)	Marquese Chriss, PF, Washington
17. Memphis Grizzlies	Wade Baldwin, PG, Vanderbilt
18. Detroit Pistons	Tyler Ulis, PG, Kentucky
19. Denver Nuggets (via Portland Trail Blazers)	Diamond Stone, C, Maryland
20. Indiana Pacers	Domantas Sabonis, PF/C, Gonzaga
21. Atlanta Hawks	Brice Johnson, PF, North Carolina
22. Charlotte Hornets	Damian Jones, C, Vanderbilt
23. Boston Celtics	Ivica Zubac, C, Mega Leks
24. Philadelphia 76ers (via Miami Heat)	Malik Beasley, SG, Florida State
25. Los Angeles Clippers	Cheick Diallo, PF/C, Kansas
26. Philadelphia 76ers (via Oklahoma City Thunder)	DeAndre Bembry, F, St. Joseph's
27. Toronto Raptors	Dejounte Murray, G, Washington
28. Phoenix Suns (via Cleveland Cavaliers)	Taurean Prince, F, Baylor
29. San Antonio Spurs	Thon Maker, PF/C, Orangeville District
30. Golden State Warriors	Malcolm Brogdon, G/F, Virginia

Philadelphia 76ers: Brandon Ingram, F, Duke

Ben Simmons may be the most upside-laden prospect in this year's draft, but the Philadelphia 76ers need to start shifting away from the best-player-available strategy and focus on filling some gaping holes on their roster. 

In this case, that means opting for Duke's Brandon Ingram over Simmons should they wind up with the first pick on May 17. 

Not only are the Sixers stacked with frontcourt options in Jahlil Okafor, Joel Embiid and Nerlens Noel, but 2014 stash pick Dario Saric may finally be bound for the States. Citing a source, Bleacher Report's David Pick reported that Saric "told his teammates he intends to leave Europe" this summer and head to the City of Brotherly Love. 

And considering Saric is a hybrid forward like Simmons who can handle the rock, Ingram would be the most logical addition for a Sixers team that finished the 2015-16 season ranked last in offensive rating, 29th in field-goal percentage and 24th in three-point conversion rate. 

With face-up skills, catch-and-shoot prowess and the ability to blow past defenders in the half court with long strides, Ingram is the type of alpha scorer the Sixers should covet come draft day. 

Detroit Pistons: Tyler Ulis, PG, Kentucky

The Detroit Pistons showed some serious fight in the first round of the NBA playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers, but a sweep at the hands of the Eastern Conference's top seed reinforced that they're in serious need of a solid backup point guard. 

While Reggie Jackson offers tremendous stability in the starting lineup, Detroit is without a viable backup ball-handler. Steve Blake is slated to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, while youngsters Spencer Dinwiddie and Darrun Hilliard are on nonguaranteed deals—albeit inexpensive ones—that could be cast aside by the Pistons this summer to open up more cap space. 

But even if the Pistons retain one or both of the youngsters, they'll need a more dynamic floor general who can provide some peace of mind behind Jackson. 

With that criteria in mind, Kentucky's Tyler Ulis could wind up being a no-brainer selection if he's still available when the Pistons are on the clock at No. 18 overall. 

Although Ulis is undersized for the NBA at 5'9'', he became renowned as the toughest player at Kentucky during his two seasons playing for Big Blue Nation, as DraftExpress' Jonathan Givony explained on Twitter: 

There's also the matter of Ulis' savvy in the pick-and-roll.

"Once he gets into the lane, Ulis has high-level vision for picking out teammates, and can find awkward passing angles due to his size," CBSSports.com's Sam Vecenie wrote. "His pick-and-roll instincts are also superb." 

Considering the Pistons ran the second-most plays for pick-and-roll ball-handlers this season, per Synergy Sports data provided to NBA.com, Ulis looks like a natural fit in the Motor City. 

Indiana Pacers: Domantas Sabonis, PF/C, Gonzaga

The Indiana Pacers struck gold when they nabbed Myles Turner with the 11th pick in the 2015 draft, and they could wind up basking in the glow of similar success if they're able to snag Gonzaga's Domantas Sabonis on draft day.

While he'd be intriguing based simply on his smooth footwork in the post, Sabonis demonstrated skills throughout the 2015-16 season that indicated he could fit the mold of a prototypical modern NBA big. 

Not only did the 19-year-old shoot 71.9 percent at the rim, per Hoop-Math.com, but he made a stellar 47.7 percent of his two-point jumpers and drilled five of 14 attempts from beyond the arc. 

"[Domantas] is as impressive of a person and player as I've ever coached,'' Gonzaga head coach Mark Few said, per the Associated Press (via ESPN.com). "He has an insatiable desire to get better.''

If Sabonis can parlay that desire into a more refined stroke from 15 feet and beyond, the Pacers could have a dynamite one-two punch on their hands. Between Sabonis' low-post polish, Turner's ability to protect the rim and both players' evolving mid-range games, Indiana could boast one of the league's most impressive young frontcourts in no time. 

And with Ian Mahinmi set to cash in on a career year when he becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer, the Pacers figure to have a big void to fill when the offseason rolls around. 

Stats courtesy of Basketball-Reference.com unless noted otherwise. Contract info courtesy of Spotrac.