2016 NBA Mock Draft: Breakdown of Top PG Prospects and 1st-Round Predictions
A quality point guard is essential to success in the NBA, which means desperate teams better do whatever they can to select one of the top players available in the 2016 draft.
While the position isn't quite as deep as it has been in past years, there are still a handful of prospects who could end up being impact players at the next level. Each of them have vastly different styles and strengths in their games, but all could be useful down the line.
Needs for each team will dictate where they ultimately end up, but here is a breakdown of the top players with predictions for the entire first round.
| 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 |
Top Point Guards in Draft
Kris Dunn, Providence
There seems to be a clear tier at the top of the draft with Ben Simmons and Brandon Ingram ahead of everyone else, but the competition for the third spot will be fierce. Kris Dunn is squarely in this race as the best point guard in the class and true star in the making.
The two-time Big East Player of the Year can affect a game in all areas, filling up the stat sheet with at least 15 points, six assists, five rebounds and two steals per game in each of the past two seasons. He wasn't always a big-time scorer—Ben Bentil often took that role—but he was always in control of the game and had the ball in his hands in key moments.
At 6'4", he has ideal size for the position with the athleticism necessary to attack the rim as well as create plays for others.
Additionally, Dunn makes a major impact on the defensive end, something that impressed Rookie of the Year Karl-Anthony Towns, per the Tiki and Tierney Show:
If he ends up with the Minnesota Timberwolves, a definite possibility, they would have the best young core in the NBA and be a force on both ends of the court down the road.
Demetrius Jackson, Notre Dame
Although he stands at just 6'1", Demetrius Jackson more than makes up for it with athletic ability. The Notre Dame star posted a max vertical jump of 43.5 inches, second highest at the combine, according to NBA.com.
Jackson also has elite quickness, which allows him to break defenders off the dribble and get to the lane almost at will. From there, he can attack the basket or dish to open teammates anywhere on the floor.
The biggest question at this point is whether he can be a lead guard, as he struggled at times as the go-to option with Notre Dame.
When he was able to play off the ball with Jerian Grant running the show, Jackson averaged 12.4 points per game while shooting 50.8 percent from the field and 42.9 percent from three-point range. As a junior, Jackson improved to 15.8 points per game but saw his shooting drop to 45.1 percent overall and 33.1 percent from beyond the arc.
He needs to work on creating his own shot as well as consistency within the offense.
Still, the athletic tools are there for Jackson to be successful at the next level. He just needs a chance to show what he can do.
Wade Baldwin IV, Vanderbilt
Those who like Wade Baldwin IV trust the physical tools.
According to NBA.com, the point guard measured at 6'4" in shoes at the combine with an incredible 6'11.25" wingspan. While this measurement is sometimes considered overrated, it will help him in a number of areas on the court. He can deflect passes in the lane, hassle opponents on the perimeter and get extra shots off that others his size couldn't.
Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman provided his thoughts on the point guard:
Beyond just possible off-court concerns, Baldwin lacked consistency on the court and never really produced the way he was capable of at Vanderbilt. It wasn't a great system for him, but he still struggled at times.
The upside is obvious, and a team like the Chicago Bulls could use a point guard of the future, but there is plenty of risk involved in the lottery pick.
Tyler Ulis, Kentucky
There is no better way to sum up Tyler Ulis as a prospect than his own thoughts, per NBA.com:
It was hard to find a better pure point guard in college basketball last season than Ulis, who won SEC Player of the Year while averaging 18.8 points and 7.6 assists per game. He has excellent vision and decision-making that allowed him to finish with a 3.5-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio, third best in college basketball.
A year earlier, he finished with a 3.6-to-1 ratio in limited time, showing this wasn't a fluke.
The problem is Ulis stands at just 5'9" without great athleticism to make up for it. The success of Isaiah Thomas with the Boston Celtics will help his argument, but there are still plenty of doubts about him handling himself on both ends of the court.
At the very least, however, Ulis could stick around the NBA as a backup point guard who can run the offense and be a fan favorite for a long time.
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