Here is an overview of how we see the 2016 NBA Draft going down on Thursday. It includes multiple trades that not only make sense, but also shake up the league. Further we have the Thunder making two selections with this draft as they trade for picks. Currently they don’t own a 1st or 2nd round pick in the draft, but with this mock, everything changes.
- 76ers – PF Ben Simmons
While he doesn’t necessarily fit with the current roster makeup of 76ers, he definitely has the highest ceiling in the draft. If he can develop a reliable outside shot, he could very well be Lebron James. That’s why the 76ers make him the 1st overall pick.
- Lakers – SF Brandon Ingram
While the Durant comparisons are unfair, Ingram should develop into a really good player (quite possibly even an all-star) if he body fills out. The Lakers need a scorer on the wing and Ingram can be that guy
- TRADE: Bulls – PG Kris Dunn
The Boston Celtics have traded this pick to the Chicago Bulls.
Bulls Get: Jae Crowder, Marcus Smart, 3rd overall pick in 2016 draft, 31st overall pick in 2016 draft, 51st overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, and 2018 1st round pick from Brooklyn.
Celtics Get: Jimmy Butler
This trade is one that signals that the Bulls are going in a completely different direction with a rebuild. It could also signal what they are planning on doing with Derrick Rose later in the draft. They get the best guard in the draft and a player that can become a legit star in Dunn.
The Celtics get Butler, who in spite of a bunch of small nagging injuries is a bonafide star on a very reasonable contract.
- Suns – PF Dragan Bender
I think he will be good. Not Porzingis good, but like Dirkish lite good. He fits the Suns need for a stretch 4 to play around Len.
- Timberwolves – PG/SG Jamal Murray
While Hield is definitely a possibility, I think Murray fits better with the age group of the Timberwolves. Murray is a guy that can score 20 a game in the NBA, but might be best suited for a 6th man role.
- Pelicans- SG Buddy Hield
This fits and hopefully Hield and Davis can lead a resurgent Pelicans team.
- Nuggets – PF Marquese Chriss
Hopefully the lightbulb comes on for Chriss as his ceiling is one of the highest in recent drafts. However, his floor is also really low. He is the ultimate boom or bust pick. The Nuggets could use some stretchiness next to Jokic and Nurkic.
- Kings – SF Jaylen Brown
Brown better be thanking his lucky stars that Joeger is his coach. Brown can be amazing if he develops a jump shot, but he will be a work in progress.
- Raptors – PF/C Deyonta Davis
Davis might be a bit too high at pick 9, but the Raptors needs a rim runner that can block shots, and that is exactly what Davis is at this point. He is behind several other bigs on most boards, but fills a need for the Raptors with the uncertainty of Biyombo’s return.
- Bucks – PG Dejounte Murray
Dejounte Murray is an incredible talent but will need time to develop. His ceiling is really high however, higher than almost any prospect in this draft, but his floor is also really low as well.
- Magic – PF Skal Labbissiere
Skal can stretch the floor and block some shots. He had a terrible year as a freshman at Kentucky, but his ceiling is still very high. He works next to Vucevic as well.
- TRADE: Hawks – C Jakob Poetl
The Utah Jazz have traded this pick to the Atlanta Hawks.
Utah Gets: PG Jeff Teague and 21st overall pick
Hawks Get: SG Alec Burks and 12th overall pick
The Hawks could very well lose Horford in free agency and Poetl fits their offense nearly perfectly. The Jazz finally get a legit starting point guard.
- Suns – SF Timothe Luwawu
An athletic wing to pair with Devin Booker. Luwawu is what you usually would dream of in a 3 and D prospect.
- Bulls – PF/C Domantas Sabonis
Losing Noah and Gasol will hurt. Sabonis is a throwback PF/C that excels at rebounding and garbage type points. He would fit well in Chicago.
- Nuggets – SG Malachi Richardson
The Nuggets need outside shooting in the worst way. Richardson can definitely fill that void and is a stellar athlete.
- Trade: Bucks SG Forkan Furkmaz
The Celtics have traded this pick to the Milwaukee Bucks
Celtics Get: PF Greg Monroe
Bucks Get: 16th pick in 2016 draft, 23rd pick in 2016 draft, and 31st pick in 2016 Draft, and PF Amir Johnson
The Bucks area a terrible shooting team and need players on the wing that can score. While many people have them taking a big, it doesn’t fit their roster needs. Korkmaz can become a knockdown shooter in the NBA and is probably one of the few players in this draft who can become a max level player should he reach his ceiling.
- Grizzlies – PG Wade Baldwin
Mike Conley is a not a lock to return. Even if he does, Baldwin can easily play the 2 guard. He is one of the last player in the draft that if he hits his ceiling, he has star potential.
- Pistons – SG Denzel Valentine
There is a need for outside shooting and Valentine fills that need. It doesn’t hurt that Valentine played his college ball at Michigan State either.
- TRADE: 76ers – PG Demetrius Jackson
The Nuggets have traded this pick to 76ers
Nuggets Get: 24th overall pick and Hollis Thompson
76ers Get: 19th Overall Pick
The 76ers need a PG in the worst way and Jackson can be that guy. You will be hard pressed to find a better athlete in this draft than Jackson
20. Pacers – PF Henry Ellenson
Ellenson is a stretch 4 that can score the basketball. He would fit alongside Myles Turner and Paul George.
- Jazz – SF Taurean Prince
The Jazz strengthen their wing position after trading away Alec Burks. Prince could also play a small ball 4 in some lineups
- Hornets – PF Henry Ellenson
Ellenson can do a lot of the same things Marvin Williams did for the Hornets. He probably won’t fall this far in the draft, but at 22 he is a steal.
- Bucks – SG Malik Beasley
The Bucks go after another high caliber athlete that can shoot. This fits them at this point in the draft.
24.Nuggets: SG Caris Levert
Had Levert remained healthy he would probably be in the lottery. He can handle the ball, pass, and is an underrated shooter.
- Clippers – SF/PF Juan Hernangomez
Hernangomez could easily play a small ball 4. He is a solid athlete with a developing shot.
26. TRADE: Thunder – SG/SF Deandre Bembry
The 76ers have traded this pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder
Thunder Get: 26th overall pick and RIchaun Holmes
76ers Get: Rights to SG Alex Abrines, SF Kyle Singler and future 2nd round pick
The Thunder get a player in Bembry who is a plus athlete and defender, who can pass and handle the ball. He could easily be a point forward in some lineups and should his outside shot develop could be a steal at this point in the draft. He is a career 31.5% shooter. He also has cool hair, which fits in well with the Steven Adams look.
Further adding Holmes to this roster gives them a big that looks very promising should his outside continue to develop.
The 76ers get the most NBA ready Euro player outside of Dario Saric in Alex Abrines. I wouldn’t be shocked to see both Abrines and Saric on the 76ers roster next year.
- Raptors – SG Caris Levert
Had Levert remained injury free he would have been drafted much higher. He can pass, play defense and just simply make a team better.
- Suns – PF Brice Johnson
Johnson provides athleticism, rim running, and shot blocking. The Suns will look for him to provide energy of their bench in their rotation.
- Spurs – PG Tyler Ulis
The Spurs always seem to get a player that can make an impact. Ulis has that potential. He could make us all look silly in the next few years.
- Warriors – PF Check Daillo
Daillo’s year at Kansas was bad, really bad. However he has plus potential as a rim running, shot blocker. Daillo would fit with the Warriors, especially if the price for Ezeli becomes to steep in Free Agency.
2nd Round Highlights (Thunder Related Only )
39. TRADE: Thunder – SG Wayne Selden
The New Orleans Pelicans have traded this pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder
Thunder Gets: 39th pick
Pelicans Get: Mitch McGary
Things haven’t worked with McGary and OKC. He could be an asset with his vision and passing ability. He needs to go to a team that he can get minutes on to develop.
Selden gives OKC a big upside guy that is built like a tank.