The 2016 NBA Draft figures to be one of the most unpredictable in recent years, with three teams (76ers, Suns and Celtics) each holding three first round draft picks. This anomaly is sure to set the stage for a number of trades with many teams looking to trade out of their draft spot to acquire established veteran talent that can contribute right away.

After weeks of debate at who the top pick will be, it seems that the dust has settled and LSU freshman sensation Ben Simmons has separated himself from Duke’s Brandon Ingram. The 76ers have already told Simmons that they will draft him with the first overall pick.

It will be interesting to see how these two young players will adapt quicker next season as they will be tasked with the unenviable task of restoring two fabled franchises back to glory.

After the top two selections, this draft is wide open with experts unable to agree on which player ranks ahead of the other. There is a high number of talented young big men in this draft with a noticeable lack of point guard depth. So if your team is need of front court help, this will be their best chance to acquire impact players without spending on pricey free agents.

2016 NBA Mock Draft 1st Round

1. Philadelphia 76ers

Ben Simmons | SF/PG | LSU

Philadelphia 76ers team logoAfter watching LeBron James dominate against the Warriors in the NBA Finals, the debate is over between who will be chosen number one, Simmons or Ingram. Simply put, Simmons can be a James-like savior for Philly, with his ability to to rebound at a high rate, push the ball coast to coast and elite point guard passing vision. If you’ve read my recent article, you know that I believe Ingram would be a better fit here in the long run, but we now know that won’t happen; Simmons will get his chance to lift the young 76ers out of the NBA’s cellar and into the playoffs.

2. Los Angeles Lakers

Brandon Ingram | SF/SF | Duke

Los Angeles Lakers team logoIngram has all the physical tools and shooting ability to be the next Kevin Durant, but it is yet to be seen if he has KD’s killer instinct. The lights will be shining brightly on Ingram once he lands in Hollywood, and he will have to deal with all the off-court distractions that come with playing in such a celebrity-filled city. In order to have an impact right away, Ingram will have to put on more weight fast to stand the physical rigors of a long NBA season.

Jaylen Brown dunking at McDonald's All-American Game
Photo credit: Antonio Vernon

3. Boston Celtics

Jaylen Brown | SF | Cal

Boston Celtics team logoIf the Celtics decide to keep this pick instead of trading for a veteran, then they will have to take the player with the most potential, and that player is Jaylen Brown out of Cal. The freshman phenom is the most athletic player available and could potentially have the highest ceiling. Brown was one of the top high school players in the nation out of Georgia, with skills to score in a number of ways coupled with explosive leaping ability, Brown has the physical tools of an elite wing in the NBA. Under the tutelage of head coach Brad Stevens, Brown could blossom into an All-Star.

4.Phoenix Suns

Marquese Chriss | PF | Washington

Phoenix Suns team logoMany experts agree that Chriss is the most talented true big man in this draft, and I would have to agree. His athleticism is off the charts and he has all the tools to become an All-Star in a couple years. Whether he reaches that potential remains to be seen, as Chriss is still very raw and needs to add weight to his frame. If he can put it all together though, watch out.

5. Minnesota Timberwolves

Jamal Murray | SF | Kentucky

Minnesota Timberwolves team logoMurray is the best Canadian player to declare for the draft since Andrew Wiggins, which will likely influence the T’Wolves to take him here if he is still available. The Kentucky connection with Karl Anthony-Towns will also be hard to ignore, as Coach Cal will do everything it takes to make sure his guy doesn’t fall out of the Top 5. With all those factors aside, Murray can flat out score. Averaging 20 points as a freshman on a loaded Kentucky team is not an easy task, and Murray did just that. It would not be shocking to see Murray become the best scorer in this draft and have the the fastest impact on a young T’Wolves team desperate for outside shooting help.

6. New Orleans Pelicans

Kris Dunn | PG | Providence

New Orleans Pelicans team logoThe Pelicans have been looking for their point guard of the future, and they will have to look no further if Dunn slips to them with this pick. Dunn is the best on the ball defender in the draft, with an ideal point guard size (6’4”) and wingspan (6’9”) that will be sure to give opposing point guards problems for years to come. Dunn could also be chosen a pick earlier by the T’Wolves as the heir apparent to Ricky Rubio, who hasn’t done enough to keep his starting spot.

7. Denver Nuggets

Dragan Bender | F/C | Croatia

Denver Nuggets team logoThere always seems to be a skilled 7-foot European big man who can stretch the floor by shooting from the outside. Last year’s draft had Kristaps Porzingis who made an immediate impact on the New York Knicks. This year’s version will be Bender, who at 18 years old already has pro experience with Israel’s top club team (Maccabi Tel Aviv) and was able to shoot a respectable 36% from three-point range. Bender will likely need a little more time to develop, but his combination of size and shooting ability will be too valuable to pass up.

8. Sacramento Kings

Buddy Hield | SG | Oklahoma

Sacramento Kings team logoThe Kings front office under the guidance of owner Vivek Ranadive and GM Vlade Divac have always valued shooting ability in it’s lottery selections (Ben McLemore and Nik Stauskas), and this year I see them going back to that well after drafting defensive big man Willie Cauley-Stein in the lottery last year. Although the last two aforementioned shooting guards have been a disappointment for the Kings, I believe Hield will be too talented to ignore. He might be the best pure shooter in this draft; he recently made 85 out of 100 three-pointers in a workout with the Celtics. The Kings want to surround DeMarcus Cousins with shooters to keep defenses honest, and Hield will do just that.

9. Toronto Raptors

Domantas Sabonis | F/C | Gonzaga

Toronto Raptors team logoWith his family connections to Kings GM Vlade Divac (good friend of father Arvydas), it is possible that the young Sabonis goes one pick earlier, but if he slips, he will be the perfect insurance policy for the Raptors. Their current center, Jonas Valenciunas, is dealing with an injury and restricted free agent, Bismack Biyombo, is fielding several high salary contract offers from a number of teams and may very well be in a new uniform this year.

10. Milwaukee Bucks

Jakob Poeltl | C | Utah

Milwaukee Bucks team logoThe Bucks are looking to upgrade their front court as Jon Henson and Greg Monroe may be on their way out of Milwaukee. Poeltl provides excellent size and the ability to excel on both ends of the floor. His closest NBA comparison is Raptors center, Jonas Valenciunas, who is one of the best young centers in the league today.

11. Orlando Magic

Skal Labissiere | F/C | Kentucky

Orlando Magic team logoLabissiere had somewhat of a disappointing season in his lone year in Lexington, but he still showed flashes of the talent that made him a blue chip recruit out of high school. Skal can shoot from outside which will provide excellent balance if he is paired up with the uber-athletic Aaron Gordon in the frontcourt.

12. Utah Jazz

Malachi Richardson | G | Syracuse

Utah Jazz team logoRichardson has been a workout stud and many teams have him rising rapidly up their draft boards. He can flat out shoot the three and boasts an impressive 7’0” wingspan which should help him on the defensive end. With former first round shooting guard Alec Burks potentially on the way out, Richardson could be a nice insurance policy for the Jazz.

13. Phoenix Suns

Dejounte Murray | PG/SG | Washington

Phoenix Suns team logoMurray is all over the place in terms of where he might be selected, but his ability to play both guard positions will certainly help his case to crack the lottery. His game is very similar to Jamal Crawford whom Murray modeled his game after growing up in the Seattle area.

14. Chicago Bulls

Deyonta Davis | PF | Michigan State

Chicago Bulls team logoThe Bulls would be ecstatic to land Davis here, who has not worked out for any teams outside of the Top 10. Davis is not a big scorer, but he is a tremendous physical specimen who can block shots (1.8 per game) and finish athletically around the rim.

15. Denver Nuggets

Furkan Korkmaz | SG | Turkey

Denver Nuggets team logoKorkmaz could turn out to be a taller more athletic version of Marco Belinelli. He can score with ease but needs to add strength and and improve on his defense to become a starter in the NBA. That being said, his talent on the offensive end could be worth the wait.

16. Boston Celtics

Henry Ellenson | PF/C | Marquette

Boston Celtics team logoEllenson had one of the best freshman seasons last year, and is a very polished offensive player who can give you 20 points and 10 rebounds if you give him the minutes. Ellenson can stretch the floor with his outside shot but is also big enough to rebound effectively. He will likely struggle on the defensive end but will flourish offensively in Brad Stevens’ system.

17. Memphis Grizzlies

Wade Baldwin | PG | Vanderbilt

Memphis Grizzlies team logoThe Grizzlies need an insurance policy in case Mike Conley doesn’t return, and Baldwin provides just that. Baldwin has been rising up draft boards as of late and could go to Chicago at 14 as a potential replacement for Derrick Rose. Either way, Baldwin is sure to land on a team desperate for point guard help.

18. Detroit Pistons

Denzel Valentine | SF | Michigan State

Detroit Pistons team logoPlaying at nearby Michigan State is almost certain to help his case here, as Tom Izzo has a close relationship with the Pistons’ owner. Even without the in-state connection, Valentine is an immediate impact player who will give the Pistons meaningful minutes with his high basketball IQ and ability to shoot the three.

19. Denver Nuggets

Ivica Zubac | C | Croatia

Denver Nuggets team logoThe Pistons are also known to be heavily interested in Zubac, as several blogs have reported. Zubac provides excellent size in the paint and is very strong for a young Euro big man. Adding decent post skills makes him a very intriguing prospect this late in the draft.

20. Indiana Pacers

Malik Beasley | SG | Florida State

Indiana Pacers team logoBeasley recently secured a draft green room invite, so he could potentially go in the late lottery. If he slips out of that range, the Pacers would be happy to add him to their roster and put Monta Ellis on the trading block to see what they can get for him.

21. Atlanta Hawks

Cheick Diallo | PF/C | Kansas

Atlanta Hawks team logoBy all accounts, Diallo is an extremely raw prospect but with tremendous upside. He came off the bench in his lone season at Kansas but when he got minutes, he was a Kenneth Faried type of player who can impact a game with his high motor and energy. This could be a good change of pace off the bench when resting Al Horford.

22. Charlotte Hornets

Brice Johnson | PF | North Carolina

Charlotte Hornets team logoMichael Jordan is known for favoring players with UNC ties, and Johnson is good enough to be taken in this spot. He was by far the best front court player for the Tar heels last season which MJ was certain to take note of. The fact that he stayed all four years at UNC and can contribute right away will only help his case this late in the draft.

23. Boston Celtics

Taurean Prince | SF | Baylor

Boston Celtics team logoPrince has all the tools to turn into the second coming of the Hawks’ DeMarre Carroll. At 6’8” with long arms, Prince averaged 1 block and 1 steal in only 25 minutes of action. He projects to be a defensive asset for years to come.

24. Philadelphia 76ers

Stephen Zimmerman | C | UNLV

Philadelphia 76ers team logoZimmerman is a highly-skilled legit 7-footer who has been known to be on the 76ers’ radar for the past few weeks. He was a McDonald’s All-American out of high school but chose to stay and play locally at UNLV instead of at a more heralded program. Had he played for Duke or Kentucky, Zimmerman would likely have been showcased better and would be a higher pick in the draft instead of a late round selection which he is currently projected at.

25. Los Angeles Clippers

DeAndre Bembry | SG | St. Joseph’s

Los Angeles Clippers team logoBembry was the Atlantic 10 Conference Player of the Year the past two season thanks to his versatile game. He can score in a number of ways and is a very willing passer. With ideal size for a shooting guard at 6-6, Bembry has a chance to earn minutes right away and break into a playoff team rotation.

26. Philadelphia 76ers

Demetrius Jackson | PG | Notre Dame

Philadelphia 76ers team logoThe 76ers could benefit from an upgrade at the point guard position, whith veteran Ish Smith holding the fort last season. Jackson is an explosive, athletic talent who could turn into a poor man’s Russell Westbrook if he continues to develop.

27. Toronto Raptors

Thon Maker | PF/C | Australia

Toronto Raptors team logoMaker is one of the most intriguing players in this draft and has been on the NBA radar for years and has been the subject of countless YouTube mixtapes. At 7’0” with the ability to shoot and finish around the rim, Maker has a Kevin Garnett-like game and athletic ability. He declared for the draft without any college experience after spending last season at an elite Canadian prep school. He is very talented but extremely raw, which is the gamble that any team who picks Maker will have to take. Even with all the risks, his upside may be too great to ignore.

28. Phoenix Suns

Timothe Luwawu | SG/SF | France

Phoenix Suns team logoLuwawa has prototypical size at 6’7” for a shooting guard and can also play the wing. He can hit the three and is an above average defender which makes him a coveted “3 and D” player by many teams. He is a naturally gifted scorer with pro experience in France, making him a low risk, high reward player this late in the draft.

29. San Antonio Spurs

Tyler Ulis | PG | Kentucky

San Antonio Spurs team logoIt is no secret that the Spurs are actively trying to shop this pick and move up in the draft. Whether they are successful remains to be seen, but the Spurs are sure to get a nice young talent as they have one of the best talent-evaluating front offices in the NBA. If they decide to keep this pick, they will be looking to draft the Kentucky point guard, Tyler Ulis, who they have done extensive research on. Although Ulis is a diminutive player at just 5’9” and 150 lbs., he had one of the best statistical seasons for a point guard on his way to becoming the SEC player of the year and first team All-American. If Ulis were taller, he would have been a lock as a Top 10 pick.

30. Golden State Warriors

Ante Zizic | C | Croatia

Golden State Warriors team logoFresh off a heartbreak loss in Game 7 of the NBA Finals, the Warriors will likely draft a player from overseas who they don’t need to sign right away, or they may trade this pick altogether. If they decide to keep the pick, they could use it to add depth to their glaring need at the center position with the injury history of Andrew Bogut and the potential free agency departure of Festus Ezeli who will command some big money offers that the Warriors could decide not to match. Either way, Zizic fits this bill.

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