2016 Kid Reporter NBA Mock Draft
The future of basketball will be center stage at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn tonight for the NBA Draft. Some teams will try to find the franchise’s next superstar, while others will try to bolster their roster in hopes of winning a championship. Check out the mock draft below to see who your team will likely pick in the upcoming NBA Draft.
1. Philadelphia 76ers — Ben Simmons, F, LSU
The Sixers told the Australian power forward that he would be the number one pick, and Philadelphia is making the right choice. Simmons is the most skilled player in the draft, as he can pass, drive to the hoop, and rebound. Simmons is also able to bring the ball up, which is very rare for someone his size. Simmons still needs to work on his jump shot, but judging from his off-season workouts, it seems to be improving.
2. Los Angeles Lakers — Brandon Ingram, SF, Duke
Ingram is a long and lean athlete who can shoot from beyond the three-point line. He has the ability to post up with his back to the basket, and he can go on big scoring runs when he is in iso situations.
3. Boston Celtics — (from Brooklyn) Buddy Hield, SG, Oklahoma
Hield was one of the most prolific players in college basketball last year, which is why he won the Naismith Player of the Year award. An explosive threat from beyond the arc, Hield also drives to the hoop, and can hit big shots when needed most.
4. Phoenix Suns — Dragan Bender, PF, Maccabi Tel Aviv
Regarded as the best prospect who didn’t attend college, Bender played professionally in Israel. Despite being 7' 1", Bender throws great passes and can shoot from deep. His youth and inexperience may be a problem out of the gate, but scouts see a lot of potential in him.
5. Minnesota Timberwolves — Jamal Murray, SG, Kentucky
Murray is a pure sharpshooter who shot 40% from beyond the arc in college. Murray could instantly fix Minnesota’s shooting problem.
6. New Orleans Pelicans — Kris Dunn, PG, Providence
Despite an inconsistent shot, his length and athleticism — combined with his passing and his court awareness — make him a very intriguing prospect for the Pelicans.
7. Denver Nuggets (from New York) — Marquese Chriss, F, Washington
Chriss is a stretch-four who can pop it from three as well as post up down low. Like Bender, he makes up for lack of polish with skills that fit the modern NBA.
8. Sacramento Kings — Jaylen Brown, SG, California
Brown combines tremendous athleticism and the ability to drive to the hoop. He creates match-up problems on defense and helps space the floor.
9. Toronto Raptors (from Denver) — Henry Ellenson, PF, Marquette
Toronto needs a major upgrade at power forward, and Ellenson has the tools to fill that hole. He can shoot and has established a solid low-post game.
10. Milwaukee Bucks — Dejounte Murray, PG, Washington
At 6' 5", Murray has good size for a point guard. And despite a thin frame, his great court vision could make him an immediate starter for the Bucks.
11. Orlando Magic — Skal Labissiere, C, Kentucky
Despite struggling in his one season at Kentucky, Labissiere still has all the tools: great size and length, excellent rim protection, and shooting ability.
12. Atlanta Hawks — (Via Utah) Wade Baldwin IV, SG, Vanderbilt
Baldwin was one of the best perimeter shooters last year, and could help a Hawks team looking for a point guard. Baldwin’s size and mobility allow him to be a very underrated defender.
13. Phoenix Suns — Furkan Korkmaz, SG, Turkey
Korkmaz is a fantastic perimeter shooter, and he has optimal size for his position. For a Suns team that needs perimeter shooting, Korkmaz seems to be a good fit.
14. Chicago Bulls — Jakob Poeltl, C, Utah
Since Joakim Noah will likely leave the Windy City, the 7’ 1" Austrian may be the best pick for the Bulls. Poeltl clogs up the lane with his height and rock-solid post defense.
15. Denver Nuggets — Deyonta Davis, PF, Michigan State
Despite playing limited minutes for Michigan State, Davis established himself as one of the best defensive players in college basketball.
16. Boston Celtics — (from Dallas) Domantas Sabonis, PF, Gonzaga
Sabonis is a crafty forward who can also play center. He ranks among the best in the draft when it comes to posting up defenders.
17. Memphis Grizzlies — Malachi Richardson, SG, Syracuse
The Grizzlies need shooters with Vince Carter nearing retirement. Richardson shot 35.3% from behind the arc last season.
18. Detroit Pistons — Timothe Luwawu, SG, France
A solid defender, Luwawu has decent size for his position. The guard hits his threes, too, which will help the Pistons immensely.
19. Denver Nuggets — Demetrius Jackson, PG, Notre Dame
Denver needs backcourt depth. Jackson was one of the best three-point shooters in college basketball last year, and he thrived in the pick-and-roll.
20. Indiana Pacers — Juan Hernangomez, SF, Estudiantes ACB, Spain
Indiana doesn’t have a true power forward on their roster. Hernangomez has a well-rounded skill set, and he brings toughness to the court.
21. Atlanta Hawks — Taurean Prince, SF, Baylor
The Hawks miss DeMarre Carroll's grit. Prince is a physical forward, who drives to the rim with ease and can shoot.
22. Charlotte Hornets — Denzel Valentine, SG, Michigan State
His perimeter shooting and his ability to drive to the hole make him an intriguing prospect, even though his knee injury may be an issue.
23. Boston Celtics — Ivica Zubac, C, Mega Leks, Serbia
Since Boston has three first-round picks, they’ll want to take a "draft-and-stash" player at some point. Zubac has the size and toughness to be a great defender in the NBA, and he’ll add depth to the Celtics frontcourt.
24. Philadelphia 76ers (from Miami) — Malik Beasley, SG, Florida State
The Sixers struggled mightily on offense last year (of course). Beasley combines basketball IQ, defense, and perimeter shooting.
25. Los Angeles Clippers — DeAndre Bembry, SF, St. Joseph's
With shooters Jamal Crawford and Wesley Johnson entering free agency, L.A. desperately needs perimeter shooting. Bembry can shoot from three, can pass the ball well, and has great ball-handling skills.
26. Philadelphia 76ers — Tyler Ulis, PG, Kentucky
Despite hip and size concerns, Ulis is still an intriguing prospect thanks to his basketball instincts and ability to find teammates.
27. Toronto Raptors — Diamond Stone, C, Maryland
With Bismack Biyombo likely leaving in free agency, the Raptors need to address the center position at this pick. Stone is a great rim-protector, and can score many ways.
28. Phoenix Suns (from Cleveland) — Ante Zizic, C, Cibona Zagreb, Serbia
The Suns don’t need three rookie contracts, so they should take Zizic and have him play in Serbia for another year or two. Zizic has great hands and his size makes him a solid post defender.
29. San Antonio Spurs — Cheick Diallo, C, Kansas
Diallo is a fantastic rebounder. On a team that has aging big men, he could get some significant minutes.
30. Golden State Warriors — Ben Bentil, PF, Providence
Head coach Steve Kerr always likes to go small, and Bentil plays like a classic stretch-four.
(Photo credit: David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)
