2016 NBA Mock Draft: Predictions for Elite Frontcourt Prospects
Most NBA fans are focused on what's going on in the postseason right now. But with a diminishing field of remaining teams, more and more people are looking at which players their favorite squads should be targeting in the annual draft.
The lottery is May 17, at which point we'll know the official order for the draft. Many teams' futures hinge significantly on the results of that night, so you'll certainly want to tune in.
Before that happens, though, let's go through a preliminary mock draft and predict the draft destinations of the three top players who project at either the forward or center position in the NBA.
| 1 | Philadelphia 76ers | Ben Simmons, F, LSU |
| 2 | Los Angeles Lakers | Brandon Ingram, F, Duke |
| 3 | Boston Celtics (via Brooklyn Nets) | Dragan Bender, F, Croatia |
| 4 | Phoenix Suns | Jaylen Brown, F, California |
| 5 | Minnesota Timberwolves | Buddy Hield, G, Oklahoma |
| 6 | New Orleans Pelicans | Kris Dunn, G, Providence |
| 7 | Denver Nuggets (via New York Knicks) | Timothe Luwawu, G/F, France |
| 8 | Sacramento Kings | Jamal Murray, G, Kentucky |
| 9 | Toronto Raptors (via Denver Nuggets) | Skal Labissiere, F/C, Kentucky |
| 10 | Milwaukee Bucks | Jakob Poeltl, C, Utah |
| 11 | Orlando Magic | Furkan Korkmaz, G/F, Turkey |
| 12 | Utah Jazz | Malik Beasley, G, Florida State |
| 13 | Phoenix Suns (via Washington Wizards) | Henry Ellenson, F, Marquette |
| 14 | Chicago Bulls | Deyonta Davis, F/C, Michigan State |
| 15 | Denver Nuggets (via Houston Rockets) | Domantas Sabonis, F, Gonzaga |
| 16 | Boston Celtics (via Dallas Mavericks) | Denzel Valentine, G/F, Michigan State |
| 17 | Memphis Grizzlies | Demetrius Jackson, G, Notre Dame |
| 18 | Detroit Pistons | Marquese Chriss, F, Washington |
| 19 | Denver Nuggets (via Portland Trail Blazers) | Tyler Ulis, G, Kentucky |
| 20 | Indiana Pacers | Thon Maker, F/C, Australia |
| 21 | Atlanta Hawks | Stephen Zimmerman, C, UNLV |
| 22 | Charlotte Hornets | Damian Jones, C, Vanderbilt |
| 23 | Boston Celtics | Caris LeVert, G, Michigan |
| 24 | Philadelphia 76ers (via Miami Heat) | Wade Baldwin IV, G, Vanderbilt |
| 25 | Los Angeles Clippers | Brice Johnson, F, North Carolina |
| 26 | Philadelphia 76ers (via Oklahoma City Thunder) | Malachi Richardson, G, Syracuse |
| 27 | Toronto Raptors | Taurean Prince, F, St. Joseph's |
| 28 | Phoenix Suns (via Cleveland Cavaliers) | Dejounte Murray, G, Washington |
| 29 | San Antonio Spurs | Juan Hernangomez, F, Spain |
| 30 | Golden State Warriors | Malcolm Brogdon, G, Virginia |
Predictions For Top Frontcourt Prospects
No. 1, Philadelphia 76ers: Ben Simmons, F, LSU
The 76ers badly need help in the backcourt. Their biggest minute-getters at the 1- and 2-guard spots last season were Isaiah Canaan, Ish Smith, T.J. McConnell, Nik Stauskas and Hollis Thompson. Not one of those guys is even an average NBA player in terms of skill.
But the 6'10" Simmons is a quintessential point forward, and the best option here with no truly elite backcourt prospects in the class. While Simmons will likely be slotted mostly at small forward to start his NBA career, he can initiate the offense and be the de facto point guard on offense.
In an NBA that is becoming more and more infatuated with playing small lineups, the 76ers could find success doing the opposite. With Jahlil Okafor, Nerlens Noel and potentially Joel Embiid and Dario Saric all on the roster in the fall, the team could build an identity around its big men and have Simmons and some defensive-minded shooters (Robert Covington and Hollis Thompson, perhaps?) as its key guys on the perimeter.
A trade down from the No. 1 pick is also an option for the Sixers, as many other squads would jump at the chance to nab Simmons or Brandon Ingram with the No. 1 pick. Philly could then land a guard prospect such as Jamal Murray or Kris Dunn a bit later in the lottery.
Of course, there's still a chance Philly gets the Los Angeles Lakers' pick if it falls outside of the top three. That would give them an abundance of options moving forward.
No. 2, Los Angeles Lakers: Brandon Ingram, F, Duke
Ingram to the Lakers at No. 2 makes too much sense.
Los Angeles needs outside shooting, as its 31.7 percentage from three-point range was dead last in 2015-16. Ingram made 2.2 three-pointers per game for Duke last season on a success rate of 41 percent.
Too many of the Lakers' young members are ball-dominant. The team could use a guy who is comfortable off the ball, and Ingram is an ace scorer off of spot-ups and running around screens.
Los Angeles needs a small forward with Kobe Bryant now retired. Ingram happens to be best suited for that position.
Of course, it doesn't hurt that many feel Ingram is actually the best prospect in the draft, ahead of Simmons. Ingram's slender 6'9", 190-pound frame likely means he'll be poor on defense early in his career, but the combination of his talent and the fit in Los Angeles works too well.
No. 3, Boston Celtics: Dragan Bender, F, Croatia
The Celtics need a star player to become a true contender.
Boston has a championship-caliber head coach in Brad Stevens and a cupboard full of championship-caliber role players, but it doesn't have one guy to rely on for big contributions on both ends of the floor.
The 5'9" Isaiah Thomas is an All-Star, but he's no Chris Paul. He's not quite dynamic enough as a playmaker or a strong enough defender to be the best player on a title contender.
If he reaches his potential, Dragan Bender could turn into the guy Boston is looking for. With his shooting and passing ability, he has the upside to become a stretch 4 a team can run its offense through. His agility for a 7-footer is impressive and should make him a versatile defender and a weapon in transition.
Even if Bender doesn't turn into a superstar, he can one day turn into the best big man for a Celtics squad that has capable players in its frontcourt (Kelly Olynyk, Jared Sullinger and Amir Johnson, to name a few) but no true standouts.
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