2016 NBA DRAFT: FINAL MOCK DRAFT

FIRST ROUND 


1. PHILADELPHIA 76ERS  
BEN SIMMONS-CF-LSU 
6-10/240/19 years old
NBA Comparison: Magic Johnson/Lamar Odom/Draymond Green 
Some feel that Simmons is the best prospect to come around since LeBron James in 2003. He's a versatile player that does everything well on a basketball court. His shooting is the only thing that needs a lot of work at this stage. He is a lock to be the first overall pick. 

2. LOS ANGELES LAKERS 
BRANDON INGRAM-SF-DUKE  
6-9/200/18
NBA  Comparison: Paul George/Rudy Gay
The Lakers have some nice young pieces in DeAngelo Russell, Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson. Ingram is a long athletic wing that can really stretch the floor with his outside shooting. If the Lakers can bring in a veteran SF this summer it will help Ingram's development as he won't be rushed to become an instant star in LA.

3. BOSTON CELTICS
KRIS DUNN-PG/SG-PROVIDENCE 
6-4/210/22
NBA Comparison: Reggie Jackson/Victor Oladipo 
I think one way or another Dunn is the pick here. Option A is that Boston will trade the pick to the 76ers in a deal that revolves around Jahlil Okafor or Boston native Nerlens Noel. Option B is that they can draft Dunn and then look to trade either Marcus Smart or Avery Bradley.

Dunn is a big guard that has the play making ability of a point guard yet has enough size and defensive skills to play the two, He doesn't have great upside but he's a safe pick that can become top 40-60 player in the league like Jackson and Oladipo.

4. PHOENIX SUNS
DRAGAN BENDER-PF-CRAOTIA 
7-0/220/18
NBA Comparison: Toni Kukoc/Donatas Motiejunas
The Suns have a really nice group of young guards in Eric Bledsoe, Brandon Knight and 2015 first round pick Devin Booker. They need young talent up front. The Suns are rebuilding so they can afford to wait a few years for Bender to develop physically. 

Bender is a great young prospect, but like many talented Euro's he is undersized and not ready to face NBA athletes. His upside is very high and has the potential to become a great Euro player like Kukoc, Dirk or Pau. But he could just as easily turn into just an average role player like Motiejunas.

5. MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES
JAMAL MURRAY-SG-UK 
6-4/204/19
NBA Comparison: Bradley Beal/CJ McCollum 
The TWolves have one of the best young cores in the NBA. They have had the #1 pick the past two seasons and ended up getting two franchise talents in Karl Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins.

The main thing they lack is shooting as they were 25th in 3 point percentage last year. Murray shot 40% from 3 last year and has the ability to become a 20 pint scorer within the next 3-5 years. He would form a great wing duo with fellow Canadian Andrew Wiggins. 

6. NEW ORLEANS PELICANS
BUDDY HIELD-SG-OKLAHOMA
6-5/212/22
NBA Comparison: Wes Matthews/JJ Redick/poor man's Klay Thompson 
Similar to Murray, Hield is a lights out shooter with good size for a 2 guard. He is NBA ready and can come in and replace Eric Gordon in New Orleans. The Pelicans have a superstar in Anthony Davis and two good play makers in Jrue Holiday and Tyreke Evans. Hield would fit perfectly in New Orleans with his ability to hit outside shots.

7. DENVER NUGGETS 
MARQUESE CHRISS-PF-WASHINGTON
6-10/233/19
NBA Comparison: Marvin Williams/Perry Jones
Chriss is a good fit as a stretch four to complement the Nuggets solid young core.  Guards Emmanuel Mudiay and Gary Harris along with big men Nikola Jokic and Jusef Nurkic give Denver some good pieces to build around.

Like Williams and Jones, Chriss has a very good skill set and NBA body but he also comes with the same toughness questions and will be drafted more on potential than production.

8. SACRAMENTO KINGS  
JAYLEN BROWN-SF-CAL
6-7/223/19
NBA Comparison: Jason Richardson/Michael Kidd-Gilchrist 
Brown is an elite athlete that already possesses a NBA ready body. He has the ability to develop into a number #3/4 scoring option on a playoff team. The Kings can use him as a backup as a rookie then look to trade Rudy Gay next off season. Brown's willingness to play defense along with his athletic gifts make him a good fit with new Head Coach Dave Joerger.

9. TORONTO RAPTORS 
HENRY ELLENSON-PF/C-MARQUETTE 
6-11/242/19
NBA Comparison: Greg Monroe/Troy Murphy
Ellenson has everything you look for in today's power forward. He has a good combination of size, power, rebounding ability and shooting. He will likely never be a star in the league but he has all the tools to be a starter for the next ten years. Ellenson's ability to stretch a defense gives him the edge here over Domantas Sabonis. 

10. MILWAUKEE BUCKS
JAKOB POELTL-C-UTAH 
7-1/239/20
NBA Comparison: Cody Zeller/Meyers Leonard
Peoltl is a highly skilled low post scorer that will be a good role playing center. He lacks power but makes up for it with great skill set. He is a very good passer and a high percentage shooter for a big man. Adding Poeltl would allow Greg Monroe to play more minutes at the four. They could also look to trade Monroe for an upgrade at PG. 


11. ORLANDO MAGIC
SKAL LABISSIERE-PF-UK 
7-0/216/20
NBA Comparison: Brandan Wright/Theo Ratliff
11 years after taking Fran Vasquez at #11 I have a hunch the Magic will once again roll the dice on a raw athletic big man. Vasquez never played a game for Orlando but has been a good player in Europe.

Similar to Brandan Wright in 2007, Labissiere came into college over hyped and undersized and like Wright, he didn't put up good numbers as a Freshman. Wright has had average journeyman career since being picked #8 in 2007. Labissiere will likely become a good role player and at best has a chance to become an elite shot blocker and decent scorer similar to Ratliff in the early 2000's.

12. ATLANTA HAWKS via trade with UTAH JAZZ
DOMANTAS SABONIS-PF/C-GONZAGA 
6-10/231/20
NBA Comparison: Luis Scola/Kris Humphries 
Sabonis is good value here. He is a traditional low post four that is an absolute beast on the glass. There's a good chance the Hawks lose Al Horford in free agency this year so drafting a big man that can score and rebound is key in this draft. 

13. PHOENIX SUNS
DEYONTA DAVIS-PF-MICHIGAN ST.   
6-11/237/19
NBA Comparison: Derrick Favores/Antonio Davis
The Suns need to upgrade their frontcourt with young players in this draft. Davis already has a NBA ready body at such a young age. Davis is very raw but he can learn a lot from watching and working with Tyson Chandler.

14. CHICAGO BULLS
WADE BALDWIN-PG-VANDERBILT 
6-4/202/20
NBA Comparison: Jrue Holiday/Randy Foye

With Derrick Rose beign traded to New York, the Bulls will look to find his replacement here. Baldwin is a long combo guard that is developing as a floor general. His size and upside give him the slight edge here over Demetrius Jackson. 

15. DENVER NUGGETS 
FURKAN KORKMAZ-SG-TURKEY
6-7/185/18
NBA Comparison: Evan Fournier/Rudy Fernandez
Korkmaz is a lights out shooter and a very good athlete compared to most Euro prospects. The Nuggets are in a long term rebuild. They can afford to wait a few years for Korkmaz to develop. 


16. BOSTON CELTICS
TIMOTHE LUWAWU-SF-FRANCE 
6-7/205/21
NBA Comparison: Thabo Sefolosha/Richard Jefferson
Luwawu is an athletic defensive wing with solid range (40%-3 point shooter). He is also a bit older than the other Euro prospects in this draft and is ready to contribute right away. 

17. MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES
TAUREAN PRINCE-SF-BAYLOR
6-8/220/21
NBA Comparison: DeMarre Carroll
Prince is a role player that does all of the little things well. He can hit an open jumper and defend the two, three and four spots. 

Memphis needs to get younger on the wings as they have no wings under contract under the age of 34 (Tony Allen is 34 and Vince Carter is 39). New coach David Fizdale comes from the Pat Riley school of coaching. So the pick at #17 better be ready to come in a defend from day one. 

Many reports say that Memphis is very high on Syracuse wing Malachi Richardson

Keep in mind this is the time for smoke screens.The main problem with drafting Richardson is that he is more of a long term project and the Grizzlies are still in win now mode. 



18. DETROIT PISTONS
DENZEL VALENTINE-SG-MICHIGAN ST.   
6-6/210/22
NBA Comparison: Evan Turner/Jared Dudley
Valentine is a local kid with a very versatile skill set. He will be an instant contributor where ever he lands. With a solid starting five, the Pistons have no major needs so they will look to draft the best player available.



19. DENVER NUGGETS
DEJOUNTE MURRAY-CG-WAHSINGTON
6-5/170/19
NBA Comparison: Larry Hughes/Jamal Crawford 
Murray is a long combo guard out of Washington. Murray has a good skill set but needs to cut down on turnovers. He would make an ideal backup to the starting backcourt of Emmanuel Mudiay and Gary Harris. 


20. INDIANA PACERS
CHEICK DIALLO-C/PF-KANSAS
6-9/219/19
NBA Comparison: Tyrus Thomas
The Pacers need to get younger and more athletic up front. Diallo is a raw, extremely long (7.5 wingspan) young prospect from Kansas. Diallo could develop into a solid pro if he hits the weight room and works on his offense.

21. ATLANTA HAWKS 
DEANDRE BEMBRY-SG/SF-ST. JOE'S 
6-6/207/21
NBA Comparison: Chris Douglas Roberts/Trevor Ariza
Bembry is a NBA ready wing that could be the biggest steal of the draft. He was ultra productive in college averaging 17, 8 and 4 and really helped his stock at the NBA Draft Combine. 

22. CHARLOTTE HORNETS 
MALIK BEASLEY-SG-FSU
6-5/190/19
NBA Comparison: Courtney Lee
Charlotte may lose incumbent shooting guard Courtney Lee. What better way to replace him than with a young player with a similar skill set. Beasley was one of the best Freshman in college basketball last year averaging 15.6 ppg while shooting over 50% from the field. He can come in a compete with Jeremy Lamb for minutes at the two.

23. BOSTON CELTICS
ANTE ZIZIC-C-CROATIA
6-11/240/19
NBA Comparison: Nikola Pekovic
Boston could use some depth at center. They should have their choice of Zizic, Damian Jones, Diamond Stone,Thon Maker and Stephen Zimmerman, My feeling is that they will take Zizic and keep him in Europe for another year or two. Ainge has scouted him in Europe this past season, and he fits the bill as a high energy big man that the Celtics like. 

24. PHILADELPHIA 76ERS 
DEMETRIUS JACKSON-PG-NOTRE DAME 
6-2/194/21
NBA Comparison: Jeff Teague/Eric Bledsoe
Jackson can provide Philly with a NBA ready player with good play making ability. He will never be a star but he has the skill set to become a top 20 point guard eventually. He could go as high as #14 to Chicago, I think this is his floor. 

25. LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS
DIAMOND STONE-C-MARYLAND
6-10/254/19
NBA Comparison: Kendrick Perkins
The Clippers need a backup center to relieve DeAndre Jordan. Stone is a bruiser inside with the talent to be a top 10 pick. However questions about his work ethic and maturity have caused his stock to drop, Doc Rivers was able to get the most out of Perkins in Boston and should be able to do the same with Stone.

26. PHILADELPHIA 76ERS 
JUAN HERNANGOMEZ-CF-SPAIN
6-9/225/20
NBA Comparison: Andres Nocioni 
Hernangomez is a hard working physical player that fits well as a role player in the NBA. He will be 21 at the start of next season and should be NBA ready after playing heavy minutes in Europe's top division last season.

27. TORONTO RAPTORS 
MALACHI RICHARDSON-SF/SG-SYRACUSE 
6-6/200/20
NBA Comparison: Khris Middleton/Nick Young
I have the Raptors taking Ellenson at #9. If they go big early, expect them to draft a wing at #27. Richardson would be good insurance in case DeMar DeRozan leaves this summer.

28. PHOENIX SUNS
MALCOLM BROGDON-SF/SG-VIRGINIA 
6-6/223/23
NBA Comparison: Bruce Bowen 
After going big with their first two picks, the Suns take the skilled defensive stopper out of Virginia. The Suns need a lot of help on the defensive end. 

29. SAN ANTONIO SPURS

STEPHEN ZIMMERMAN-C-UNLV
7-0/234/19
NBA Comparison: Cole Aldrich 
The Spurs almost always go best player available. Zimmerman is a skilled big that can be molded similar to how the Spurs used Tiago Splitter.

30. GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS

DAMIAN JONES-C-VANDERBILT 
7-0/244/20
NBA Comparison: Festus Ezeli
The Warriors will likely lose Festus Ezeli in free agency. Like Ezeli, Jones played college ball at Vandy and was a good shot blocker and strong rebounder coming out of college.





SECOND ROUND

31. BOSTON CELTICS
THON MAKER-C/F-AUSTRALIA/SPAIN
7-1/216/21

32. LOS ANGELES LAKERS 
IVICA ZUBAC-C-CROATIA
7-1/250/19

33. LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS
PATRICK MCCAW-SG-UNLV
6-7/181/20

34. PHOENIX SUNS
TYLER ULIS-PG-UK
5-10/149/20

35. BOSTON CELTICS
PASCAL SIAKAM-PF/NEW MEXICO ST
6-10/227/22

36. MILWAUKEE BUCKS
BRICE JOHNSON-PF-UNC
6-11/209/22

37. HOUSTON ROCKETS
ZHOU QI-F/C-CHINA
7-2/218/20

38. MILWAUKEE BUCKS
ISAIAH COUSINS-CG-OKLAHOMA
6-5/194/22

39. NEW ORLEANS PELICANS
WAYNE SELDEN-SG/SF-KANSAS
6-6/232/21


40. NEW ORLEANS PELICANS
AJ HAMMONS-C-PURDUE
7-0/278/23

41. ORLANDO MAGIC

BEN BENTIL-PF-PROVIDENCE
6-8/229/21

42. UTAH JAZZ
JOEL BOLOMBOY-PF-WEBER ST.
6-9/224/22

43. HOUSTON ROCKETS
CARIS LEVERT-CG-MICHIGAN
6-7/191/21

44. ATLANTA HAWKS 
GARY PAYTON II-CG-OREGON ST.
6-2/184/23

45. BOSTON CELTICS
GUERSCHON YABUSELE-PF-FRANCE
6-8/260/20

46. DALLAS MAVERICKS
KAY FELDER-PG-OAKLAND
5-10/177/21

47. ORLANDO MAGIC

ISAIA CORDINIER-SG-FRANCE
6-5/177/19

48. CHICAGO BULLS
ROBERT CARTER-F/C-MARYLAND
6-9/251/22

49. DETROIT PISTONS 
CAT BARBER-PG-NC ST. 
6-3/173/21

50. INDIANA PACERS
YOGI FERRELL-PG-INDIANA
6-0/178/23

51. BOSTON CELTICS

PAUL ZIPSER-PF-GERMANY
6-8/210/21

52. UTAH JAZZ
MICHAEL GBINIJE -SF-SYRACUSE 
6-7/205/24

53. DENVER NUGGETS 
ISAIAH WHITEHEAD-SG-SETON HALL
6-5/210/21

54. ATLANTA HAWKS 
CHINANU ONUAKU-C/F-LOUISVILLE
6-10/245/19

55. BROOKLYN NETS
PETR CORNILEI-PF-FRANCE
6-11/220/20

56. DENVER NUGGETS 
DORIAN FINNEY SMITH-SF-FLORIDA
6-8/215/23

57. MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES
JACK LAYMAN-SF-MARYLAND
6-9/209/22

58. BOSTON CELTICS

TROY WILLIAMS-SF-INDIANA
6-7/218/21

59. SACRAMENTO KINGS
JARROD UTHOFF-PF-IOWA
6-10/214/23

60. UTAH JAZZ 
KYLE WILTJER-PF-GONZAGA 
6-10/243/23


Honarable Mention

PERRY ELLIS-CF-KANSAS
6-8/218/22
MARCUS PAIGE-PG-UNC
6-2/164/22
RADE ZAGORAC-SF-SERBIA
6-9/205/20
SHELDON MCCLELLAN-SG-MIAMI
6-6/198/23
GEORGES NIANG-CF-IOWA ST
6-9-231-23
AJ ENGLISH-CG-IONA
6-3/182/23
GEORGIOS PAPAGIANNIS-C-GREECE
7-2/275/18
RON BAKER-SG-WICHITA ST 
6-4/212/23
ELGIN COOK-SF-OREGON
6-6/212/23
DANIEL HAMILTON-SF/SG-UCONN
6-8/197/20