2016 NBA Lottery Mock Draft: Ingram on top
With a fairly uneventful lottery draw in the books, the draft order for the top-14 is set. The Lakers kept their pick, the Sixers finally got the No. 1 selection after years of suffering, and the Celtics managed the third spot thanks to a silly trade with the Nets from years ago.
Here's who each team in the lottery should target:
1. 76ers - Brandon Ingram
The Sixers are in desperate need of perimeter players, so it's down to either Ingram or Simmons. Ingram gets the edge for his ability to shoot - a notable skill absent from the Sixers' current core. The Duke product is drawing comparisons to Kevin Durant for his rare combination of length, height, and shooting ability.
2. Lakers - Ben Simmons
Simmons falling to the Lakers would be a huge win for the Purple and Gold. Although Simmons' stock took a hit with LSU missing the NCAA tournament, the electric Aussie proved he's an elite talent by averaging 19.2 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game as a freshman. He should fit in beautifully in an up-tempo system led by D'Angelo Russell.
3. Celtics - Dragan Bender
Celtics general manager Danny Ainge is hell-bent on finding a superstar, and if he doesn't move the No. 3 pick, he'll take the gamble on the 18-year-old Bender. A 7-footer with a smooth inside-out game is simply too hard to pass up in the search for the next Kristaps Porzingis.
4. Suns - Jamal Murray
The Suns would create a redundancy if they add Murray to an already crowded backcourt, but they should be pivoting toward a complete rebuild anyway. Murray would allow Phoenix to part with one of Brandon Knight or Eric Bledsoe to add some talent to its frontcourt.
5. Timberwolves - Buddy Hield
The Timberwolves are set with two Rookie of the Year winners and a championship-tested head coach. All they need is a little bit more ball-handling and some shooting to open up the floor. That's where Hield - the nation's second-most prolific scorer - comes in.
6. Pelicans - Kris Dunn
The Pelicans need to pair Anthony Davis with a star on the perimeter, and Dunn fits the bill. The hyper-athletic point guard proved in his junior year that he can do a little bit of everything, averaging 16.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 2.5 steals on 37.2 percent shooting from deep.
7. Nuggets - Timothe Luwawu
There isn't a front office more invested in the international scene than the Nuggets, who've nabbed Joffrey Lauvergne, Jusuf Nurkic, Nikola Jokic, and Emmanuel Mudiay from overseas over the years. Luwawu, a do-it-all wing with excellent size, should be the next import.
8. Kings - Jaylen Brown
The Kings would be thrilled if Brown fell to eighth. Although the 19-year-old proved to be inconsistent during his freshman year and his jump shot is suspect, it's too hard to pass up a 6-foot-6 swingman with a 7-foot wingspan.
9. Raptors - Skal Labissiere
The Raptors aren't in position to draft for need. No rookie could step into their rotation anytime soon, so a gamble like Labissiere makes sense. He just needs time to gain some consistency and polish in order to leverage his immense athletic ability into elite production.
10. Bucks - Jakob Poeltl
The Bucks need some size to anchor their defense, and the enormous 7-foot-1 figure of Poeltl fits the bill. Not only is the Austrian a shot-blocking menace, but he also has a soft touch with both hands to finish reliably around the basket.
11. Magic - Marquese Chriss
Orlando has spent the past three drafts cobbling together a horde of perimeter players. Their attention should now turn to the frontcourt to find another big to pair with Aaron Gordon. Chriss, a shot-blocking presence with cat-like quickness, should complete one of the most athletic frontcourts in the league.
12. Jazz - Denzel Valentine
The Jazz have prospects at every position, and they're looking to finally make the playoffs after four fruitless seasons. They don't need another long-term project. Utah needs a polished wing like Valentine to step in right away. His leadership should also be an asset for a youthful Jazz roster.
13. Suns - Domantas Sabonis
Through three seasons, former No. 5 pick Alex Len has proven to be inconsistent and inflexible. The Suns need someone more dynamic, with more mobility and better craft around the paint - someone like Sabonis.
14. Bulls - Wade Baldwin
With Derrick Rose's disastrous contract mercifully nearing its end, the Bulls need to concern themselves with the future of their backcourt. Boasting a 6-foot-11 wingspan and a 40.2 percent mark from deep, Baldwin can handle backup duties next season before eventually taking the reins from Rose.