NBA Mock Draft 2016: Projections and Predictions for Top Point Guard Prospects
Point guards don't headline the 2016 NBA draft.
Thank Ben Simmons and Brandon Ingram—two top-tier prospects who steal the shine from what is a deep class of on-court generals, both of the pro-ready and high-upside variety.
Interestingly enough, some of the top teams alive in the NBA playoffs feature quality point guards, so it's not as if anyone has a right to undersell the importance of the position going into June's draft.
In fact, it's imperative those faithful to any team have a strong grasp on the top names in the class at the spot, especially with the chance a flurry of trades goes down as soon as the commissioner walks to the podium.
Here's a mock draft with the top points detailed after the jump.
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) | G Malik Beasley, Florida State |
| 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 |
Top Point Guard Prospects
Kris Dunn, Providence
Point guards like Providence's Kris Dunn don't come around often.
An enforcer at the position standing at 6'4" and 220 pounds, Dunn is versatile but has a spotty jumper, though it's basically the only negative. He's a strong defender who sees the court well and has the ability to run a pro offense right out of the gates.
Some view Dunn's age (22) as a negative, as he played notable minutes all four years with the Friars. The numbers, though, offer encouragement:
| 2015-16 | 33.0 | 16.4 | 6.2 | 2.5 |
| 2014-15 | 34.0 | 15.6 | 7.5 | 2.7 |
| 2013-14 | 26.5 | 3.8 | 5.0 | 1.8 |
| 2012-13 | 27.2 | 5.7 | 3.2 | 1.2 |
Experience is an interesting knock to have. Some teams could avoid Dunn on the account of his having already neared his ceiling.
Others, though, could view it as a positive. Dunn can contribute right away. For those teams unable to land such a player in free agency, he offers similar production at a cheaper cost for a long time.
Given these factors and the way the board falls above, the Sacramento Kings at No. 8 look like the perfect fit. The Kings have many changes forthcoming, highlighted by the potential loss of Rajon Rondo in free agency.
Rather than splurge to find a replacement or bring Rondo back, the Kings could get a pick-and-roll monster going with Dunn and DeMarcus Cousins. That could be the beginning of a strong core for years to come.
Prediction: Dunn lands with Kings at No. 8
Demetrius Jackson, Notre Dame
Demetrius Jackson isn't far behind Dunn in many ways.
Jackson is a similar player who comes in a tad smaller at 6'1" and 194 pounds with an iffy shot from deep and three years of experience under his belt with Notre Dame.
A pass-first guard with incredible court vision and decision-making, Jackson posted averages of 15.8 points and 4.7 assists last year, though he struggled by shooting just 33 percent from deep.
Three years in college or not, Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress.com explained the upside Jackson brings to the table:
"While Jackson has some weaknesses, it's difficult to find point guards who display the same level of potential he does as a shooter, scorer, playmaker and defender, especially with his athletic tools. Many of his deficiencies are things he can continue to work on, and by all accounts he has the type of intangibles you look for in a budding prospect that will be coachable about addressing his flaws.
"
Perhaps no point in the class walks a better tightrope of pro-ready skills with alluring upside. The combination won't shoot Jackson off the board higher than he should go, but it does make him one heck of a pick for a team like the Memphis Grizzlies.
As they approach the potential loss of Mike Conley and since they need to retool some of the roster for the future anyway, the Grizzlies have to hope a player like Jackson is on the board at No. 17.
If he is, everyone wins. Jackson will get strong playing time and learn if Conley leaves. If he stays, Jackson has an incredible mentor and an even better outlook.
Prediction: Jackson lands with Grizzlies at No. 17
Wade Baldwin IV, Vanderbilt
Another physical prospect with intriguing upside, Wade Baldwin IV spent two years at Vanderbilt, exploding over his sophomore campaign with 14.1 points and 5.2 assists per game.
Baldwin is a polarizing prospect, though, in large part because he's 6'4" and 202 pounds and can struggle with a mid-range jumper at times. He's also not shy about what he wants to do upon arrival in the Association.
"I'm trying to be Russell Westbrook with a pinch of a higher basketball IQ," Baldwin said, according to an ESPN.com scouting report.
The report went on to detail how Baldwin isn't out of line, either:
"And believe it or not, according to the combine numbers he's there. Not only did Baldwin measure slightly taller and with a much longer wingspan (6-foot-11½ compared to Westbrook's 6-foot-7¾), but he actually tested better on the vertical (32-inch standing and 38-inch max, compared to a 30-inch standing and 36½-inch max for Westbrook) and in every other test besides the three-quarter-court sprint.
"
As a coveted, intriguing prospect in a class that is deep at other spots, chances are strong Baldwin takes a bit of a tumble, especially when one recalls how many talented guards like Rondo are set to hit the market.
That sets up a rich-get-richer scenario with the San Antonio Spurs. With Tony Parker aging (34), the Spurs wouldn't mind grabbing a high-upside prospect and coaching him up with a veteran core showing him the way.
Prediction: Baldwin lands with Spurs at No. 29
All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.
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