With only a couple of games left in the season most teams are gearing up for the playoffs. But for the others that won’t make it, they are now scouting young talents to help them win next season. Here is our first mock draft for 2016.
*Note: This is not the official order of the draft. This is purely based on the standings as of march 23, 2016
14. Chicago Bulls: Taurean Prince (Baylor, SF, Senior)
NBA Comparison: DeMarre Carroll
Why it will work: With Derrick Rose and Jimmy Butler doing all the ball handling and scoring for the Bulls, Taurean doesn’t need to do much offensively. He is a great defender and can provide Chicago with a solid 3-D guy, he can also run the break and with his athleticism he can finish around the basket very well.
13. Phoenix Suns: Skal Labissiere (Kentucky, PF/C, Freshman)
NBA Comparison: Poor man’s LaMarcus Aldridge
Why Phoenix: Phoenix’s future is becoming clearer every second of the day. They already have young talented guys in Booker, Warren, and Len. Tyson Chandler is not getting younger, they need to find a backup for Alex Len for the future. With his jumpshot and skill, Skal may be that guy. He may even challenged Len for the starting center position.
12. Houston Rockets: Marquese Chriss (Washington, PF, Freshman)
NBA Comparison: Andrew Nicholson
Why Marquese: Chriss has a very smooth offensive game that stretches out to the three point area, and excels at the open court. He can get off the ground and he has a great first step. He also fills Houston’s need of a power forward thay can play alongside of Dwight.
Although he needs time to adjust to the pros it won’t be too much of a problem since they have James Harden and Dwight Howard.
11. Milwaukee Bucks: Henry Ellenson (Marquette, PF, Freshman)
NBA Comparison: Markieff Morris
Why Milwaukee: With Giannis and Jabari as your starting forwards Milwaukee desperately needs shooting. Ellenson projects a prototypical stretch four, he is a servicable backup to Jabari and can even play Center if they choose to go small. With his 6’10 size he is the most polished bigman in the draft with his inside-out game.
10. Toronto Raptors (via Nuggets): Ivan Rabb (California, PF, Freshman)
NBA Comparison: Ed Davis with a Chris Bosh ceiling
Why it makes sense: Toronto desperately needs a power forward, they showed this when reports about their interest in Markieff Morris suddenly popped up. What they’re getting with Ivan Rabb is a bigman that can crash the glass, finish around the rim and block shots. He also has a midrange shot that will only improve with time.
9. Orlando Magic: Denzel Valentine (Michigan State, SG, Senior)
NBA Comparison: Danny Green with a higher ceiling
Why Valentine: Like the Bucks, Orlando needs shooting especially at the guard spot. With Valentine they get a combo guard that can really shoot and pass the ball. He has tremendous size at 6’6 and he can play with Mario Hezonja as backups to Elfrid Payton and Victor Oladipo.
8. Denver Nuggets: Buddy Hield (Oklahoma, SG, Senior)
NBA Comparison: CJ McCollum
Why Denver: Looking at Denver’s roster they need someone to run the floor alongside Mudiay. With Mudiay’s struggles from beyond the arc Buddy Hield can really excel at stretching the floor while giving room for Mudiay’s drives. He is also a terrific ballhandler and a great finisher at the rim. With Garry Harris as their starting shooting guard Buddy should be ready to play from day one.
7. Sacramento Kings: Kris Dunn (Providence, PG/SG, Senior)
NBA Comparison: John Wall
Why Dunn: Sacramento needs to find a long term replacement for Rajon Rondo. But for now he can run the floor alongside Rondo and Cousins. He’s an excellent finisher around the rim with his quickness and explosiveness. He can also find his open man with his passing skills. If he can develop a jumpshot we might see one of the most complete guards in the NBA.
6. New Orleans Pelicans: Jakob Poeltl (Utah, C, Sophomore)
NBA Comparison: Andrew Bogut
Why New Orleans: The Pelicans don’t need anymore scoring with Jrue Holiday, Eric Gordon, and Tyreke Evans in their line-up. What they need is someone to anchor the defense along side of Anthony Davis and that’s what they get in Jakob. He’s 7ft tall and he has great hands and mobility that will translate well into the pros.
5. Minnesota Timberwolves: Jamal Murray (Kentucky, SG, Freshman)
NBA Comparison: Ben Gordon/Brandon Roy
Why it will work: Jamal Murray might the the best shooter in the draft. He can come of screens and really knock it down from beyond the arc, at a young age he already has NBA range. He can also rebound very well for his size. Plus, you can’t go wrong with a player that played for Kentucky and John Calipari
Minnesota needs another shooter in their roster and with Murray they get a combo guard that provides everything they need.
4. Phoenix Suns: Dragan Bender (Croatia, PF/C, 18 years old)
NBA Comparison: Nikola Mirotic with more upside
Why it’s a perfect fit: With the surprising growth of Alex Len this season, they need to find him a running mate at the power forward position. Dragan Bender is perfect as he provides length and shooting at the 4 spot. He is not a great athlete but the room for growth in his game is tremendous. With starters like Bledsoe, Booker, Warren, and Len, Dragan fits perfectly as a high ceiling stretch 4.
3. Boston Celtics (Via Nets): Jaylen Brown (California, SG/SF, Freshman)
NBA Comparison: Jason Richardson
Why Brown: Boston is the best team in the lottery, they’re gonna be playoff bound with whoever they pick. With Brown they get a long term investment at the wing and a terrific athlete. He has great size, 6’7″, 225-pound, and he’ll only improve his jumpshot. Unlike most teams, Boston is not in a rebuilding process so it makes sense to take the best player available.
2. Los Angeles Lakers: Brandon Ingram (Duke, SF, Freshman)
NBA Comparison: Kevin Durant
Why Ingram: With Kobe retiring after this season, Los Angeles needs to fill the void left at the Small Forward position. Brandon Ingram is an amazing Small Forward that stretches the floor and runs the break. He won’t amaze you with his athleticism and ball handling like Durant but he can shoot it from anywhere on the floor. I have no doubt in my mind that he’ll fit in perfectly with Russel, Clarkson, and Randle.
1. Philadelphia 76ers: Ben Simmons (LSU, SF/PF, Freshman)
NBA Comparison: Lamar Odom/Blake Griffin
Why Simmons: Over the last three drafts Philadelphia have shown that they’re willing to take the best player available regardless of position. With that being said, Ben Simmons is the best player in the draft. He is a point forward with the skillset of Lamar Odom and the Athletic ability and the upside of Blake Griffin. He is a tremendous passer and his court vision is astounding. He can play both forward position and his body is ready for the NBA. He needs to work on his shooting but looking at guys like Anthony Davis and Blake Griffin and how they improved as shooters I think we have very little to worry about with Simmons.
