NBA Draft 2016: 1st-Round Mock Draft and Predictions for Most Talented Prospects

The 2016 NBA draft has the potential to accelerate rebuilding timelines for several franchises that are picking in the top five. 

However, it's incumbent upon those squads to nail the evaluation process and determine which top-tier prospects are capable of shouldering a significant load and setting them up for prosperous futures.

So with less than two weeks to go until things officially get underway June 23 at Barclays Center, here's a look at a fresh first-round mock draft with a focus on this year's most talented players.

Pick	Team	Selection
1	Philadelphia 76ers	Ben Simmons, F, LSU
2	Los Angeles Lakers	Brandon Ingram, F, Duke
3	Boston Celtics (via Brooklyn Nets)	Jamal Murray, G, Kentucky
4	Phoenix Suns	Dragan Bender, F, Croatia
5	Minnesota Timberwolves	Kris Dunn, G, Providence
6	New Orleans Pelicans	Buddy Hield, G, Oklahoma
7	Denver Nuggets (via New York Knicks)	Jaylen Brown, F, California
8	Sacramento Kings	Marquese Chriss, F, Washington
9	Toronto Raptors (via Denver Nuggets)	Deyonta Davis, F/C, Michigan State
10	Milwaukee Bucks	Wade Baldwin IV, G, Vanderbilt
11	Orlando Magic	Skal Labissiere, F/C, Kentucky
12	Utah Jazz	Denzel Valentine, G/F, Michigan State
13	Phoenix Suns (via Washington Wizards)	Furkan Korkmaz, G, Anadolu Efes
14	Chicago Bulls	Jakob Poeltl, C, Utah
15	Denver Nuggets (via Houston Rockets)	Timothe Luwawu, G/F, Mega Leks
16	Boston Celtics (via Dallas Mavericks)	Henry Ellenson, F, Marquette
17	Memphis Grizzlies	Domantas Sabonis, F/C, Gonzaga
18	Detroit Pistons	Demetrius Jackson, G, Notre Dame
19	Denver Nuggets (via Portland Trail Blazers)	Ante Zizic, C, Cibona Zagreb
20	Indiana Pacers	Damian Jones, C, Vanderbilt
21	Atlanta Hawks	DeAndre' Bembry, F, Saint Joseph's
22	Charlotte Hornets	Dejounte Murray, G, Washington
23	Boston Celtics	Ivica Zubac, C, Mega Leks
24	Philadelphia 76ers (via Miami Heat)	Tyler Ulis, PG, Kentucky
25	Los Angeles Clippers	Cheick Diallo, F/C, Kansas
26	Philadelphia 76ers (via OKC Thunder)	Malachi Richardson, G/F, Syracuse
27	Toronto Raptors	Thon Maker, F, Australia
28	Phoenix Suns (via Cleveland Cavaliers)	Taurean Prince, F, Baylor
29	San Antonio Spurs	Juan Hernangomez , F, Estudiantes
30	Golden State Warriors	Brice Johnson, F, North Carolina

Philadelphia 76ers: Ben Simmons, F, LSU

The Philadelphia 76ers may have a glut of big men, but adding LSU Tigers point forward Ben Simmons should be a no-brainer when they make the first selection of this year's draft. 

Philadelphia is devoid of dynamic on-ball playmakers, and Simmons would immediately represent an upgrade in that department. Not only can he distribute like crazy, but the 6'10" stud has a developing shot that has been lauded in recent weeks. 

"He’s a better shooter than people know," LSU Director of Basketball Operations Charlie Leonard told Bleacher Report's Michael Pina. "People perceive it as being a big flaw in his game, but it’s not. It’s just not something that he’s had to focus on."

In a video posted to Twitter by ESPN.com's Chad Ford, it's evident Simmons' shot isn't broken. His stroke will need work since long-range shooting hasn't been a key component of his game to this point—he attempted three triples total at LSU—but the mechanics look just fine:

If Simmons' shot can develop at a steady rate once he's putting in work with a professional coaching staff on a daily basis, the Sixers could have a monster on their hands.

"Ben is the fastest player on the floor almost any night he’s playing," LSU associate coach Brendan Suhr told Pina. "He has Russell Westbrook-type speed at 6’10". There's no one his size in basketball—maybe the closest is LeBron [James]—that can move as fast with the ball as he can. His passing is Magic-like, and I think that’s what people like about him."

Combine those traits with a reliable jumper, and Philadelphia could finally have the superstar swingman it has long coveted.  

Los Angeles Lakers: Brandon Ingram, F, Duke

Assuming Simmons comes off the board at No. 1, the Los Angeles Lakers' choice will have been made for them. 

Duke's Brandon Ingram has long been heralded as the second-best player in what's become known as a two-player draft, and he shouldn't be viewed as a consolation prize for the wing-needy Lakers. Rather, he's a key building block for a team that craves perimeter creators and versatile defenders.

D'Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson (restricted free agency pending) and Julius Randle give the Lakers a solid foundation to work with, and adding a future superstar like Ingram who can score via catch-and-shoot jumpers, dribble drives, post-ups and face-up opportunities would add several wrinkles to an offense that ranked 29th in efficiency last season. 

DraftExpress' Jonathan Givony broke down Ingram's game:

"

Ingram has significant potential as a shot-creator as well, as he's an impressive ball-handler at his size, showing terrific footwork, and big, rangy strides attacking off the dribble. He mixes in jab-steps, shot-fakes, crossovers and hesitation moves to create space off the bounce, as the threat of his jumper means he needs to be respected at all times from the perimeter.

"

Ingram will also offer new head coach Luke Walton—who helped craft some stellar and innovative five-man units alongside Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr—plenty of positional flexibility. 

Although he'll likely be viewed as a small forward upon his arrival since he checks in at 6'9" and 196 pounds, per DraftExpress, Ingram has a whopping 7'3" wingspan that will make him a menace at the 4 once he adds muscle. 

Minnesota Timberwolves: Kris Dunn, G, Providence

There's a case to be made for the Minnesota Timberwolves to select Buddy Hield with the fifth pick since they ranked 25th in three-point field-goal percentage (33.8) last season. 

However, adding Providence Friars point guard Kris Dunn could unlock a slew of new possibilities for a team that's slated to make a major leap under head coach Tom Thibodeau. 

The prospect of a tenacious defender like Dunn suiting up for Thibodeau is terrifying. The floor general was regarded as one of the nation's top defenders throughout his tenure with the Friars, and playing in an aggressive defensive scheme that encourages him to hound opponents at the point of attack could produce top-notch results. 

Brian Seltzer of Sixers.com pointed to Dunn's cluttered trophy case as an indicator that he could be a defensive menace at the next level:

"

Not only was Dunn tabbed the Big East’s top overall player in 2015 and 2016, he was selected as the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year following those seasons as well. The only other Big East product to ever twice receive Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year awards? Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Patrick Ewing, the former Georgetown center. 

"

Adding Dunn when incumbent starting point guard Ricky Rubio is in the fold through the 2018-19 season may feel a bit redundant, but the Timberwolves need additional ball-handlers to help diversify their attack.

And just think: If Minnesota does nab Dunn, it could soon wield the NBA's most athletic pick-and-roll combination, with the former Providence floor general feeding reigning Rookie of the Year Karl-Anthony Towns for pick-and-pop jumpers and emphatic slams.

Stats courtesy of Basketball-Reference.com and Sports-Reference.com unless noted otherwise. Contract information courtesy of BasketballInsiders.com.