NBA Draft Order 2016: Fresh Mock Draft After Lottery Results
After much buildup, the 2016 NBA draft lottery was...boring.
Hey, boring isn't such a bad thing. Rather than fans worrying about some grand conspiracy because the New York Knicks or some other unpredictable element pulled in the top pick, the biggest controversy was...Sam Hinkie being right.
Kidding aside, the odds played out in a way that would have made Las Vegas smile:
With the order settled, let's take a look at an updated mock draft based on team need and prospect stock. Keep in mind this will change in the coming weeks because silly season has just begun.
2016 NBA Mock Draft
| 1. | Philadelphia 76ers | F Ben Simmons, LSU |
| 2. | Los Angeles Lakers | SF Brandon Ingram, Duke |
| 3. | Boston Celtics (via Brooklyn) | PF Dragan Bender, Croatia |
| 4. | Phoenix Suns | SG Buddy Hield, Oklahoma |
| 5. | Minnesota Timberwolves | SF Jaylen Brown, California |
| 6. | New Orleans Pelicans | SG Jamal Murray, Kentucky |
| 7. | Denver Nuggets (via New York) | C Jakob Poeltl, Utah |
| 8. | Sacramento Kings | PG Kris Dunn, Providence |
| 9. | Toronto Raptors (via Denver) | PF Henry Ellenson, Marquette |
| 10. | Milwaukee Bucks | C Thon Maker, Orangeville Prep |
| 11. | Orlando Magic | PF/C Deyonta Davis, Michigan State |
| 12. | Utah Jazz | F Marquese Chriss, Washington |
| 13. | Phoenix Suns (via Washington) | C Damian Jones, Vanderbilt |
| 14. | Chicago Bulls | SG Furkan Korkmaz, Turkey |
| 15. | Denver Nuggets (via Houston) | G Tyler Ulis, Kentucky |
| 16. | Boston Celtics (via Dallas) | SG Timothe Luwawu, France |
| 17. | Memphis Grizzlies | PG Demetrius Jackson, Notre Dame |
| 18. | Detroit Pistons | SG Denzel Valentine, Michigan State |
| 19. | Denver Nuggets (via Portland) | G Caris LeVert, Michigan |
| 20. | Indiana Pacers | PF Brice Johnson, North Carolina |
| 21. | Atlanta Hawks | C Diamond Stone, Maryland |
| 22. | Charlotte Hornets | PF Domantas Sabonis, Gonzaga |
| 23. | Boston Celtics | F Paul Zipser, Germany |
| 24. | Philadelphia 76ers (via Miami) | SG Malcolm Brogdon, Virginia |
| 25. | Los Angeles Clippers | C Skal Labissiere, Kentucky |
| 26. | Philadelphia 76ers (via Oklahoma City) | F Dorian Finney-Smith, Florida |
| 27. | Toronto Raptors | F Taurean Prince, Baylor |
| 28. | Phoenix Suns (via Cleveland) | C Cheick Diallo, Kansas |
| 29. | San Antonio Spurs | PG Wade Baldwin IV, Vanderbilt |
| 30. | Golden State Warriors | C Zhou Qi, China |
1. Philadelphia 76ers: F Ben Simmons, LSU
So Hinkie was correct: His process landed the Philadelphia 76ers the top pick in the 2016 class and gave the organization its choice of Ben Simmons or Brandon Ingram.
They are two of the better prospects to enter the draft in years, but Philadelphia has to worry about one thing—getting a motivated player.
After all, as Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders pointed out, the Los Angeles Lakers are breathing right down the 76ers' necks:
In this scenario it's all about Simmons out of LSU. He might covet a bigger market, but an ability to go out and win titles should be on the agenda, too.
This doesn't mean Philadelphia will compete for a title anytime soon. But the 76ers at least have an intriguing foundation with Jahlil Okafor, Nerlens Noel and Joel Embiid. Los Angeles, on the other hand, just endured the worst season in franchise history to throw Kobe Bryant a retirement party and also has to put up with the more competitive Western Conference.
The 76ers give Simmons the opportunity to start right out of the gates and grow with a young core. For the 76ers, adding a pro-ready prospect at 6'10" and 239 pounds who has a ceiling of being one of the league's few best looks like a major win.
2. Los Angeles Lakers: SF Brandon Ingram, Duke
Miserable showing this past season or not, the Lakers landed in the best position after the lottery.
It's otherwise known as the easiest, because all the front office has to do it take whichever prospect the 76ers pass on.
Duke's Brandon Ingram is the faller in this scenario, and he's a spectacular fit for the Lakers. At 6'10" and 196 pounds, Ingram is a dynamic two-way player with elite athleticism and deep range; he shot 41 percent from deep as a freshman last year.
As Jason McIntyre of The Big Lead pointed out, Ingram's skills give the Lakers a trait they wouldn't have easily found on the open market:
Getting Ingram at No. 2 means the Lakers can trot out a D'Angelo Russell-Jordan Clarkson-Ingram-Julius Randle lineup and use free agency this summer to chase a big name such as Al Horford.
Ingram could wind up as one of the best players in the league and a rightful successor to Bryant over the long term. But in the short term, he fills a slot well the Lakers would have had to otherwise gamble a max contract on, which allows them to focus on a bigger position of need in free agency.
6. New Orleans Pelicans: SG Jamal Murray, Kentucky
Somewhat lost in the hype of Simmons and Ingram is Kentucky's Jamal Murray, who continues to rise up draft boards.
One of the best pure shooters in the draft, Murray hit on 45 percent of his shots from the floor last year and 41 percent from deep while averaging 20 points per game. While not super athletic at 6'5" and 207 pounds, Murray could have one of the biggest impacts of any draft pick.
In this scenario, Murray makes it to No. 6. Boston needs help underneath the basket, Phoenix nabbed Devin Booker last year, and Minnesota needs a partner in crime for Andrew Wiggins.
New Orleans, on the other hand, needs all the help it can get for Anthony Davis and can afford to take the best player available. Perhaps best of all, Murray offers versatility, as an ESPN.com scouting report detailed: "Most teams seem to be convinced he can make the transition to point guard in the NBA but also feel confident he would excel as a 2-guard as well. 'I think he can play both positions, and I think that helps him,' one scout said. 'He gives teams and coaches some real versatility.'"
With the future of Eric Gordon an unknown and the Pelicans in need of a running mate for Jrue Holiday, Murray can play his natural position and knock down shots as teams focus on Davis down low.
In theory, it's the perfect trio to build around and one that is perhaps ready to help the Pelicans stop wasting Davis' talent.
All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.
