2016 NBA Mock Draft: Top Prospects and 1st-Round Predictions Following Lottery
Even after an unexciting lottery on Tuesday, the official order gives us a chance to dig deep in projecting the 2016 NBA draft.
For the first time in its history, the lottery stayed with the status quo as the top three teams remained where they were in order. The Philadelphia 76ers will be selecting first, while the Los Angeles Lakers get to hold on to their pick at No. 2.
While there has been plenty of scouting up to this point, teams will start to take closer looks at prospects likely to be around when they are on the clock. They will then spend the next few weeks finalizing draft boards and getting as prepared as possible for the June 23 event.
A lot more movement is still possible, but here is an updated look at projections for the first round of the NBA draft.
| 1 | Philadelphia 76ers | Brandon Ingram | SG | Duke |
| 2 | Los Angeles Lakers | Ben Simmons | PF | LSU |
| 3 | Boston Celtics (via BKN) | Jamal Murray | SG | Kentucky |
| 4 | Phoenix Suns | Dragan Bender | PF | Croatia |
| 5 | Minnesota Timberwolves | Kris Dunn | PG | Providence |
| 6 | New Orleans Pelicans | Jaylen Brown | SF | California |
| 7 | Denver Nuggets (via NYK) | Henry Ellenson | PF | Marquette |
| 8 | Sacramento Kings | Buddy Hield | SG | Oklahoma |
| 9 | Toronto Raptors (via DEN) | Jakob Poeltl | C | Utah |
| 10 | Milwaukee Bucks | Demetrius Jackson | PG | Notre Dame |
| 11 | Orlando Magic | Marquese Chriss | PF | Washington |
| 12 | Utah Jazz | Denzel Valentine | SF | Michigan State |
| 13 | Phoenix Suns (via WAS) | Timothe Luwawu | SF | France |
| 14 | Chicago Bulls | Wade Baldwin IV | PG | Vanderbilt |
| 15 | Denver Nuggets (via HOU) | Furkan Korkmaz | SG | Turkey |
| 16 | Boston Celtics (via DAL) | Domantas Sabonis | PF | Gonzaga |
| 17 | Memphis Grizzlies | Malachi Richardson | SF | Syracuse |
| 18 | Detroit Pistons | Deyonta Davis | PF | Michigan State |
| 19 | Denver Nuggets (via POR) | Tyler Ulis | PG | Kentucky |
| 20 | Indiana Pacers | Skal Labissiere | PF | Kentucky |
| 21 | Atlanta Hawks | DeAndre' Bembry | SF | Saint Joseph's |
| 22 | Charlotte Hornets | Cheick Diallo | C | Kansas |
| 23 | Boston Celtics | Brice Johnson | PF | North Carolina |
| 24 | Philadelphia 76ers (MIA) | Thon Maker | C | Australia |
| 25 | Los Angeles Clippers | Taurean Prince | SF | Baylor |
| 26 | Philadelphia 76ers (OKC) | Dejounte Murray | PG | Washington |
| 27 | Toronto Raptors | Ben Bentil | PF | Providence |
| 28 | Phoenix Suns (via CLE) | Malik Beasley | SG | Florida State |
| 29 | San Antonio Spurs | Ante Zizic | C | Croatia |
| 30 | Golden State Warriors | Malcolm Brogdon | SF | Virginia |
Philadelphia 76ers: Brandon Ingram, SF, Duke
You obviously want to pick the best player available at No. 1, but it's also important to figure out how that player will fit within a team.
The 76ers have a pair of solid big men in Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel and are expecting contributions from Joel Embiid and Dario Saric as soon as next season. Not only will it be hard to fit all these players on the court, but all of them do their work in the post. While LSU's Ben Simmons has a much different style as a ball-handler and playmaker, he also lacks a jump shot.
No matter what position you play Simmons, this will be an ineffective offense with a clogged paint and little versatility.
On the other hand, Brandon Ingram would fit nicely as an elite perimeter scorer who can stretch the floor. The outside shot is something general manager Bryan Colangelo specifically mentioned when discussing the Duke prospect.
"As you look at a Brandon Ingram, more of a shooter, a silky-smooth small forward type," Colangelo said after the lottery, per DraftExpress. "Probably can play multiple positions as well. I think you have to look at his versatility. But, the one thing that stands out is his ability to shoot the basketball, above all else."
He also said good things about Simmons, but Ingram's shooting ability will give the 76ers what they are missing.
This isn't to say the wing is a one-dimensional player. Ingram has tons of upside as a 6'9" athlete who can create his own shot from anywhere on the floor. At 196 pounds, he needs to add strength, but he could also be unguardable at times and should have a bright future as a go-to option in the NBA.
Los Angeles Lakers: Ben Simmons, PF, LSU
This would represent quite a consolation prize for the Lakers if Ben Simmons is available at No. 2. In fact, there is a possibility Simmons will do what he can to move himself to this spot.
Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress broke down the situation:
Questions about his jump shot, defensive effort and overall focus could cause the LSU product to slide out of the No. 1 spot. However, he is still a dynamic weapon with the talent to be an All-Star at the next level.
Simmons put up incredible numbers in his one collegiate season, averaging 19.2 points, 11.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 2.0 steals per game. His best attribute is his ability to get a rebound and turn it into a fast break while using his speed and his vision to get a quick transition basket for his side.
If the Lakers are going to try to replicate the Golden State Warriors, Simmons would help out immensely as someone who can pick up the tempo on any possession. He can also play anywhere from small forward to center while defending any spot.
This is a unique player who will be tough to figure out how to use in the NBA. While he might not be best in Philadelphia, he should work out for the Lakers.
Boston Celtics: Jamal Murray, SG, Kentucky
Dragan Bender would also be a potential option for the Boston Celtics. Power forward is a position of need, and the Croatian player has plenty of upside thanks to his size at 7'1" and versatility as a scorer both inside and outside.
However, the Celtics also need to add a shooter after making just 33.5 percent of their three-point shots as a team this season.
Jamal Murray is someone who can help immediately in this regard. The guard averaged 20 points per game for Kentucky this past season while making 40.8 percent of his shots from beyond the arc.
ESPN's Chad Ford also showed the prospect isn't having any trouble adjusting to the deep line:
While Oklahoma's Buddy Hield is known as the player who can help right away, Murray isn't too far behind him with a smooth jump shot and a knack for getting himself open. Meanwhile, the 19-year-old prospect still has room to grow as he improves his handle and his decision-making.
There is also a possibility Murray can move back to point guard after playing that spot in high school, which would make him even more valuable.
Boston already has quality guards in its rotation, but Murray could be a difference-maker for a team so close to contention.
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