2016 NBA Mock Draft: Simmons, Ingram headline weak class
It's not a good reflection on the strength of a draft class when all six teams holding the No. 3 through No. 8 selections are looking to move their pick. Ben Simmons and Brandon Ingram are bona fide blue-chip prospects, but there's a significant drop-off to the second tier.
Nevertheless, here's how the first round should pan out.
1. 76ers - SF/PF Ben Simmons, LSU
A hyperathletic wing with sharp court vision and a suspect jump shot. Can't-miss prospect.
| GP | PTS | REB | AST | FG % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33 | 19.2 | 11.9 | 4.8 | 56 |
Related: 76ers reportedly inform Simmons he'll be taken 1st overall
2. Lakers - SF Brandon Ingram, Duke
Excuse the Kevin Durant comparison, but what other wing player has a 7-foot-3 wingspan and limitless range?
| GP | PTS | REB | AST | 3-PT FG % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | 17.3 | 6.8 | 2 | 41 |
3. Celtics - SG Jamal Murray, Kentucky
A sharpshooting two with excellent size for the position. Could develop ball skills and become a deadly combo guard.
| GP | PTS | REB | AST | 3-PT FG % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | 20 | 5.2 | 2.2 | 41 |
Related: Calipari says Murray wants to be drafted by Timberwolves
4. Suns - PF Marquese Chriss, Washington
Brimming with potential. Explosive leaper, 3-point range, good frame to develop into stretch-four. Lacks polish, though.
| GP | PTS | REB | BLK | FG % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34 | 13.7 | 5.4 | 1.6 | 53 |
5. Timberwolves - PG Kris Dunn, Providence
Quick, strong, gritty, and sees the floor exceptionally well. Has every skill you want in a point guard, but will need to continue to improve on 3-point range.
| GP | PTS | REB | BLK | 3-pt FG % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33 | 16.4 | 5.3 | 6.2 | 37 |
6. Pelicans - SG Buddy Hield, Oklahoma
Best scorer in the nation, exceptional shooter, strong leader. Questionable defensively, though, and has limited upside.
Related: Pelicans won't rule out trading No. 6 pick for veteran
| GP | PTS | REB | AST | 3-pt FG % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 37 | 25 | 5.7 | 2 | 46 |
7. Nuggets - SF Jaylen Brown, Cal
Excellent physical profile, with the ability to slash and play multiple positions. Needs to improve jump shot.
| GP | PTS | REB | AST | 3-pt FG % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34 | 14.6 | 5.4 | 2 | 29 |
8. Kings - PF Dragan Bender, Maccabi Tel Aviv
Fluid 7-footer with developing jump shot. Raw prospect with tremendous wingspan and upside.
| GP | PTS | REB | BLK | 3-pt FG % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 41 | 4.5 | 2.6 | 0.7 | 36 |
Related: No. 3-8 picks reportedly all being shopped ahead of draft
9. Raptors - C Jakob Poeltl, Utah
A 7-footer with an NBA-ready body and excellent touch around the basket. Limited upside and mobility.
| GP | PTS | REB | BLK | FG % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | 17.3 | 9.1 | 1.5 | 64 |
10. Bucks - PF Deyonta Davis, Michigan State
Good frame, elite shot-blocking sense, developing jump shot. Short on focus.
| GP | PTS | REB | BLK | FG % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | 7.5 | 5.5 | 1.8 | 59.8 |
11. Magic - SG Timothe Luwawu, Mega Leks
Athletic playmaking wing with NBA-ready body. Lacks polish.
| GP | PTS | REB | AST | 3-pt FG % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 | 14.6 | 4.8 | 2.8 | 37 |
12. Hawks (via Jazz) - PF/C Skal Labissiere, Kentucky
Raw talent with excellent physical tools. Could develop into elite rim protector.
| GP | PTS | REB | BLK | FG % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | 6.6 | 3.1 | 1.6 | 52 |
13. Suns - PG Dejounte Murray, Washington
Combo guard with strong scoring ability and solid playmaking tools. Needs to bulk up.
| Games | Points | Rebounds | Assists | 3-pt Field Goal % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34 | 16.1 | 6 | 4.5 | 29 |
14. Bulls - PG Wade Baldwin, Vanderbilt
Decent all-around point guard with near-7-foot wingspan. Struggles to finish around the basket but can knock down the 3-pointer.
| Games | Points | Rebounds | Assists | 3-pt Field Goal % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33 | 14.1 | 4 | 5.2 | 41 |
15. Nuggets - PF Domantas Sabonis, Gonzaga
Mobile 7-footer, elite motor, blossoming post-up game. Has questionable upside, though, and it's unclear what position he'll play.
| GP | PTS | REB | AST | FG % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | 17.5 | 11.8 | 1.8 | 61 |
16. Celtics - SF Malachi Richardson, Syracuse
Springy wing with ability to defend any position on perimeter. Needs to improve scoring ability but can hit spot-up 3-pointers.
| GP | PTS | REB | AST | 3-pt FG % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 37 | 13.4 | 4.3 | 2.1 | 35 |
Related: Celtics' draft night likely busy thanks to cache of picks
17. Grizzlies - SF Taurean Prince, Baylor
Ideal small-ball four. Great size, fast, tremendous motor, all-around scoring ability. Four-year senior.
| GP | PTS | REB | AST | 3-pt FG % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33 | 16 | 6 | 2.3 | 36 |
18. Pistons - PF Henry Ellenson, Marquette
NBA-ready 7-footer. Decent touch around the basket, developing 3-point shot. Limited mobility, though, and needs to cut weight.
| GP | PTS | REB | BLK | FG % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33 | 17 | 9.9 | 1.5 | 45 |
19. Nuggets - SF Juan Hernangomez, Spain
Versatile power forward with inside-out game. Poor rebounder and doesn't block shots.
| GP | PTS | REB | 2-pt FG % | 3-pt FG % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34 | 9.7 | 5.7 | 52 | 36 |
20. Pacers - SG Denzel Valentine, Michigan State
All-around wing playmaker with strong leadership profile. Willing but poor defender with below-average athleticism.
| GP | PTS | REB | AST | 3-pt FG % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | 19.2 | 7.5 | 7.8 | 44 |
21. Hawks - SG Furkan Korkmaz, Anadolu Efes
Elite jump-shooter with promising handle, but needs to bulk up. Didn't receive many minutes in Turkish league.
| GP | PTS | REB | AST | 3-pt FG % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | 2.7 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 42 |
22. Hornets - PG Demetrius Jackson, Notre Dame
Explosive athlete and strong scorer, but is a streaky jump-shooter, lacks size, and has questionable handle.
| GP | PTS | REB | AST | 3-pt FG % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | 15.8 | 3.5 | 4.7 | 33 |
23. Celtics - C Ivica Zubac, Mega Leks
Excellent size, strong frame, solid finisher. Lacks polish, spotty injury history.
| GP | PTS | REB | BLK | FG % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 6.8 | 3 | 1.2 | 58 |
24. 76ers - SF DeAndre Bembry, Saint Joseph's
Versatile scorer, prototypical combo guard, good length. Needs to improve 3-point shot.
| GP | PTS | REB | AST | 3-pt FG % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | 17.4 | 7.8 | 4.5 | 27 |
Related: 76ers looking to swap late 1st-rounders for top 8 pick
25. Clippers - SG Malik Beasley, Florida State
Pure scorer. Accurate jump-shooter who can score in traffic and draw fouls. Slender frame, weak defender.
| GP | PTS | REB | AST | 3-pt FG % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34 | 15.6 | 5.3 | 1.5 | 39 |
26. 76ers - PF Diamond Stone, Maryland
NBA-ready body who's a bruising presence around the basket, and shows flashes of outside shot. Needs to cut weight to become more mobile.
| GP | PTS | REB | BLK | FG % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34 | 12.4 | 5.5 | 1.6 | 57 |
27. Raptors - PF Thon Maker, Athlete Institute (high school)
Raw prospect. Fluid 7-footer with signs of developing jump shot.
| GP | PTS | REB | BLK | 3-pt FG % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 29 | 14.2 | 3.7 | 32 |
28. Suns - PF Brice Johnson, North Carolina
Hyperathletic senior. Strong shot-blocker but lacks prototypical size for center. Limited upside.
| GP | PTS | REB | BLK | FG % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | 17 | 10.5 | 1.5 | 61 |
29. Spurs - C Ante Zizic, Cibona Zagreb
Good size, can finish around basket with either hand. Likely to be stashed overseas.
| GP | PTS | REB | BLK | FG % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | 13.4 | 8 | 1.4 | 64 |
30. Warriors - C Zhou Qi, Xinjiang
Largest wingspan in the draft (7-foot-8), fairly athletic, fluid athlete, decent defender. Needs to bulk up.
| GP | PTS | REB | BLK | FG % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42 | 15.8 | 9.8 | 3.2 | 60 |