2016 NBA Mock Draft: Latest Prospects' Stock Movement and Predictions
As LeBron James and Stephen Curry duke it out for the 2016 NBA title, non-contending teams are trying to find the next MVP.
Soon, a champion will be decided and attention will shift to the draft.
Let’s prepare now.
In recent weeks, there are have been risers and fallers based on team workouts and the NBA Draft Combine. With big-name franchises like the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics picking in the lottery this season, some players are under more scrutiny than ever.
Mock
| 1 | Ben Simmons (LSU) | 76ers |
| 2 | Brandon Ingram (Duke) | Lakers |
| 3 | Buddy Hield (Oklahoma) | Celtics |
| 4 | Dragan Bender (International) | Suns |
| 5 | Kris Dunn (Providence) | Timberwolves |
| 6 | Jamal Murray (Kentucky) | Pelicans |
| 7 | Jaylen Brown (Cal) | Nuggets |
| 8 | Wade Baldwin IV (Vanderbilt) | Kings |
| 9 | Marquese Chriss (Washington) | Raptors |
| 10 | Skal Labissiere (Kentucky) | Bucks |
| 11 | Henry Ellenson (Marquette) | Magic |
| 12 | Demetrius Jackson (Notre Dame) | Jazz |
| 13 | Timothe Luwawu (International) | Suns |
| 14 | Tyler Ulis (Kentucky) | Bulls |
| 15 | Deyonta Davis (Michigan State) | Nuggets |
| 16 | Domantas Sabonis (Gonzaga) | Celtics |
| 17 | Jakob Poeltl (Utah) | Grizzlies |
| 18 | DeAndre' Bembry (Saint Joseph's) | Pistons |
| 19 | Furkan Korkmaz (International) | Nuggets |
| 20 | Stephen Zimmerman (UNLV) | Pacers |
| 21 | Damian Jones (Vanderbilt) | Hawks |
| 22 | Diamond Stone (Maryland) | Hornets |
| 23 | Ivica Zubac (International) | Celtics |
| 24 | Ante Zizic (International) | 76ers |
| 25 | Taurean Prince (Baylor) | Clippers |
| 26 | Malik Beasley (Florida State) | 76ers |
| 27 | Zhou Qi (International) | Raptors |
| 28 | Juan Hernangomez (International) | Suns |
| 29 | Petr Cornelie (International) | Spurs |
| 30 | Denzel Valentine (Michigan State) | Warriors |
Movement and Predictions
Lakers decide against Marquese Chriss
Brandon Ingram or Ben Simmons.
Ben Simmons or Brandon Ingram.
That’s been the only debate in Lakerland ever since Los Angeles landed the No. 2 overall selection. But now, it appears that a new name has at least entered the conversation.
ESPN Insider Chad Ford reported on Friday that an unnamed general manager told him the Lakers should take Washington freshman Marquese Chriss, who’s projected by DraftExpress to go No. 3 to the Celtics.
Here’s Ford:
"In the past few weeks I've heard comparisons to Shawn Marion and Shawn Kemp. As we've been saying in this space for a while, he has highest ceiling in the draft after Ben Simmons and Ingram.
But does he have a higher ceiling than Ingram? Perhaps. He's a better athlete, and given his body type, he might be a better defender (if he can learn how to stay out of foul trouble).
"
The Lakers aren’t in a position to roll the dice and hope for the best. Remember when former Indiana big man Noah Vonleh was hyped as the next big thing? The Charlotte Hornets took him ninth overall in 2014.
After a flop of a rookie year for Buzz City, Vonleh found himself on the Portland Trail Blazers, where he contributed just 3.6 points a night.
This isn’t to say that Chriss is Vonleh 2.0. And sure, as Ford noted, his potential might be through the roof. But Ingram—and Simmons, should the Philadelphia Sixers throw everyone a curveball—has a much higher floor.
CBS Sports’ Sam Vecenie threw some cold water on the Chriss hype on Friday:
The Lakers bit on D’Angelo Russell in the 11th hour last year, so nothing is impossible. But after enduring yet another losing season, expect them to reward fans and snag either Ingram or Simmons.
Celtics choose certainty over potential
“Potential.”
What a word, eh?
Come this time of year, when draft talk is buzzing, the p-word gets thrown around a lot. Can anyone quantify it? Is it possible to measure?
No and no. Comparing an incoming rookie to a well-known NBA player is common, which is what Ford did with Chriss. It gives fans an idea of who the rookie plays like.
Eighteen-year-old Dragan Bender has been compared to New York Knicks star Kristaps Porzingis simply because he’s 7'1" and from overseas. But he averaged a whopping 4.5 points and 2.6 rebounds in 41 Eurocup games last year.
Selecting a guy like Bender or Chriss is investing in potential. The Celtics would be better off investing in a sure thing.
As noted by Tom Westerholm of MassLive.com, Boston needs an upgrade in perimeter shooting. Buddy Hield can provide that…if nothing else.
Here’s Westerholm:
"Few things are certain with draft prospects, but Hield seems like a sure thing as a shooter. His range is very deep, and even if he doesn't develop into an isolation scorer, in a good offensive system with plenty of screens and ball movement, he should be a legitimate threat."
Hield is currently projected by DraftExpress to go No. 6 to the New Orleans Pelicans, but it wouldn’t be the least bit shocking if the Celtics, who are within reach of contending in the Eastern Conference, opt for the sure thing.
Even as he matures as a player, Hield will be able to contribute to the Celtics right away as they try to became a real player in the East.
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