Barstool's Official Two Round 2016 NBA Mock Draft
The NBA Draft is Thursday and we’re pretty locked in at who is going to go No. 1 and No. 2 this year. All year we’ve heard how it’s a 2-person draft and while that may be true, the one thing this draft is for sure is deep. There won’t be a ton of all-stars out of this group, but there will be a big number of rotation guys. Those that can step in and help a team or solidify a roster, it won’t be as bad as the 2013 or 2000 Drafts, but it’s more like the 2006 or 2004 Draft.
Because of that reason, this mock draft – and every mock draft – will likely look like a disaster come 9:30 Thursday night. For the research I used a combination – mostly Synergy – but also relied on the likes of Sam Vecenie, DraftExpress and Fran Fraschilla for the overseas guys. This is obviously based on the hypothetical of no trades, though I do believe there will be a good amount. It’s also not a ranking of who I think is the better player, but more who is the best fit and how front offices typically draft.
I’ll be tweeting about the Draft and all the trades that will eventually happen @barstoolreags
- Philadelphia 76ers – Ben Simmons (LSU)
I deferred to Smitty to make the pick for the 76ers, his reasoning for Simmons: “It’s pretty simple, the Sixers have the #1 overall pick are are going to select the best player in the draft. Ben Simmons is the best player in the draft with the most potential. Easy as pie.”
I agree with Smitty here. Don’t over think this and just take who the best player is right now. That’s Ben Simmons. The Sixers need help at almost every position and Simmons can play a couple spots on the floor. If he can just develop a jumper he’s worth this pick with ease.
- Los Angeles Lakers – Brandon Ingram (Duke)
The team with the best spot in the draft is the Lakers who get to pick whoever is left between Simmons and Ingram. The Duke product would slide it nicely on the wing for the Lakers as they try to rebuild. Putting him around D’Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson (a RFA) and Julius Randle at least makes for a solid, young core.
- Boston Celtics – Jamal Murray (Kentucky)
Again, this is based on no trades as I think Ainge will try to move this. The Celtics need help shooting and Murray gives you just that. You can argue Buddy Hield was a better shooter last year, but with Murray being 3 years younger, it gives the Celtics someone who can step in and play right away while still developing (and likely be better than Hield). The biggest question mark for Murray is his athleticism and size, but he plays extremely well coming off screens.
- Phoenix Suns – Dragan Bender (Croatia)
Everyone is going to assume Bender is the next Kristaps Porzingis as he’s 7’0” and can face up and shoot from three. Phoenix is pretty set in the backcourt with Bledsoe, Knight and Booker, but need help with another wing or a big guy. Bender allows them to get both answered here as he can protect the rim. Marquese Chriss being called here wouldn’t shock me either.
- Minnesota Timberwolves – Buddy Hield (Oklahoma)
The Timberwolves have the best young core in the NBA right now. Ricky Rubio is starting to play more like what everyone expected in 2007 while Karl-Anthony Towns is a legit star. On top of that Andrew Wiggins is a solid player and Zach LaVine is there. What’s missing though? Another shooter or a stretch four that you can play alongside Towns. They’ll take the first option here as Thibs loves defense too and Hield grades as a good defender. If Hield continues to shoot the ball well, give me that lineup for small ball time and in NBA 2K.
- New Orleans Pelicans – Kris Dunn (Providence)
You want to talk about some scary defense, think about trying to run a pick and roll against Dunn and Anthony Davis. The Pelicans will take the smart pick here as Dunn – if he continues to improve shooting and stays healthy – has a chance to be great thanks to his size. The Pelicans will need backcourt help with Gordon on the way out and Holiday soon to be likely out as well.
- Denver Nuggets – Marquese Chriss (Washington)
The Nuggets need a shooter, but unfortunately the top two are gone in Murray and Hield. Instead they take Chriss, who is incredibly athletic and can step out and shoot the ball. Chriss has the potential to be the third best player in this draft or a complete bust, as his recent rise up the draft boards is making a lot of people question just how skilled he is vs his upside.
- Sacramento Kings – Jaylen Brown (Cal)
Things begin to drop a little bit here in terms of talent and what’s the best fit. After Brown there’s a drop in talent, but the fit is pretty bad for the Kings as Brown is similar to Rudy Gay. The Kings aren’t going to take another big man after they took Willie Cauley-Stein in the top-10 last year and still have Boogie Cousins. Ideally the Kings would love a point guard, especially if Rondo leaves, but it’s hard to see them reaching for a Demetrius Jackson or Wade Baldwin here. Brown is a big, athletic wing, who struggled shooting the ball and even finishing at times at Cal.
- Toronto Raptors – Henry Ellenson (Marquette)
I’m a big fan of Ellenson’s game and love his fit here in Toronto. I’m going with the assumption DeRozan decides to stay in Toronto so the Raptors will be looking for a power forward that can step away from the basket. Moving Patrick Patterson back to his role off the bench gives the second team more power and Ellenson can stretch the floor from the power forward spot.
- Milwaukee Bucks – Domantas Sabonis (Gonzaga)
The Bucks miss out on the hometown guy Ellenson by one pick, but get someone who has all the tools to be a solid player for quite some time. Sabonis needs to improve defensively and with his rim protection, but offensively he’s extremely polished down low and has a real nice jumper from 15 feet out. With the lack of production from Greg Monroe, Bucks have to go big here.
- Orlando Magic – Skal Labissiere (Kentucky)
There’s not too many coaches better suited to develop a skilled big guy than Frank Vogel, so the Magic will decide between Skal or Deyonta Davis here. Skal can play alongside either/and Nikola Vucevic and Aaron Gordon since he has the ability to stretch the floor, something he was known for heading into college but didn’t see too much of it at Kentucky. He can also protect the rim and has a nice hook shot.
- Utah Jazz – Wade Baldwin (Vanderbilt)
Baldwin becomes too good to pass up here for the Jazz, who need someone else to play with Trey Burke and Dante Exum. Baldwin can play either spot in the backcourt thanks to his 6’3” frame and over 40% career 3-point shooter. He still needs to improve taking care of the ball, but the Jazz will go with another young guard to pair with Exum.
- Phoenix Suns – Jakob Poeltl (Utah)
The Suns benefit of a slip out of the top-10 for Poeltl. I really like his game, especially since he can protect the rim and is more athletic than people think for his size, however he gets passed up for the upside of Skal and better fits for Ellenson and Sabonis and falls to No. 13. He’ll solidify the interior defense and give the Suns a big man who can pass out to Booker on the wing.
- Chicago Bulls – Timothe Luwawu (France)
The Bulls need a lot of help, especially in the backcourt. Sure, they have Jimmy Butler but as Big Cat pointed out last week they are stuck in basketball purgatory with just him. The Bulls would love to get a point guard, but don’t see them taking Demetrius Jackson here and with Baldwin off the board they’ll go for another wing player. Luwawu can guard a couple spots and is an athletic wing. On top of that he’s only 21 and can shoot, which gets Hoiberg excited.
- Denver Nuggets – Furkan Korkmaz (Turkey)
The Nuggets have three first round picks (so don’t be surprised if they trade one) but in this draft they take a guard to play on the wing to pair with Emmanuel Mudiay. He’s a knock down shooter, something the Nuggets need. He’s also just 18, which means the Nuggets can develop him in the D-League if they need or develop a great young core in this draft with Korkmaz and Chriss.
- Boston Celtics – Deyonta Davis (Michigan State)
Much like I said with the Nuggets, if the Celtics decide to keep their first round picks, they can afford to take a flier and Davis at No. 16 is a little bit of one. Davis is incredibly long and athletic, giving the Celtics someone to put in the post. At 6’11” he’s a strong rebounder and rim protector, which means you can play him alongside another big or surround him with guards.
- Memphis Grizzlies – Demetrius Jackson (Notre Dame)
The Grizzlies will go point guard here so the question is just which one will they take. If Conley comes back to Memphis, Jackson can play alongside him – as he did with Jerian Grant at Notre Dame – or be a backup point guard. Memphis needs shooting and Jackson is a career 40% shooter from deep.
- Detroit Pistons – Denzel Valentine (Michigan State)
The Pistons will take the ‘risk’ here with Valentine and the reports of his knee injury. He’s a home-grown kid who can play next to Reggie Jackson or be the main ball handler. Valentine is a great shooter, which Detroit could use help with.
- Denver Nuggets – Malachi Richardson (Syracuse)
Yes, they took a shooting guard in Furkan Korkmaz, but this is becoming a positionless league, so why not take a guy who can knock down shots and has the length to guard multiple positions? Richardson made his name known in the NCAA Tournament and that’s still fresh as well as testing strong at the combine.
- Indiana Pacers – Brice Johnson (UNC)
The Pacers want to play faster – that’s the reason Frank Vogel isn’t there anymore. They need help at both the power forward spot and the point guard spot, but with Johnson sitting there we’ll go with him over a DeJounte Murray. Johnson is obviously a strong rebounder and can run the floor, giving him athleticism from the power forward spot.
- Atlanta Hawks – DeAndre’ Bembry (St. Joe’s)
Everyone is starting to fall in love with Bembry’s game and think he can be a steal in the Draft. I think he’ll be a good rotational player on a competitive team and the Hawks need someone who can play on the wing and provide versatility. Bembry doesn’t necessarily excel at anything, but he’s good at everything.
- Charlotte Hornets – Taurean Prince (Baylor)
The Hornets are about to need a lot of help. Al Jefferson, Nic Batum, Marvin Williams and Courtney Lee are all possibly on the way out in free agency, meaning there will be help needed on the wing. Prince is a 6’8” wing player that is athletic and can score in a variety of ways. The problem is he’s awful in man-to-man defense.
- Boston Celtics – Ante Zizic (Crotatia)
The Celtics got their shooter in Murray and now add another big man, who is thought of quite well. Zizic led the Adriatic League in rebounding and can be a stash away option at No. 23. Danny Ainge has scouted Zizic before and him falling to No. 23 is a steal. At 6’11” and 19 years old, he’d be a great fit to start in the D-League if they decide not to stash him in Europe for a year.
- Philadelphia 76ers – DeJounte Murray (Washington)
Yes, it’s not Kris Dunn, but the 76ers get a point guard – who has a ton of upside (drink). Murray is 6’5”, which gives him a ton of size and length at the point guard spot and he’s a strong scoring guard. With the Sixers not in win-now mode, they can be patient as he develops and learns the NBA game. There’s a good chance you can throw him as the starter on Day 1 too, giving him to work with Simmons, Noel, Okafor, etc.
- Los Angeles Clippers – Malcolm Brogdon (Virginia)
The Clippers desperately need help on the wing considering Paul Pierce and Jamal Crawford are a combined 75 years old and Wes Johnson simply isn’t that good. So here is where Brogdon comes into the fold. He can do a little bit of everything as he’s a great shooter, good passer and solid defender. He’s also a good locker room guy, which means the Clippers big three won’t be overshadowed.
- Philadelphia 76ers – Malik Beasley (Florida State)
After getting Simmons and a point guard, with their third selection the Sixers will look for help on the wing and someone who can score from there. Beasley isn’t that big, only at 6’4”, but can shoot the hell out of the ball and is a good defender. Beasley will fall because of an injury, but the Sixers just make the smart decision (at least if I was the GM).
- Toronto Raptors – Cheick Diallo (Kansas)
Bismack Biyombo likely played his way to a contract that is going to be too expensive for Toronto, so why not get another big? They take the stretch four in the top-10 in Ellenson and now get Diallo, who can defend and protect the rim the way Biyombo did against the Heat. The Raptors can also be patient with Diallo and work his way into the rotation here.
- Phoenix Suns – Diamond Stone (Maryland)
Yes, he wasn’t as strong of a player at Maryland as many thought he would be as a freshman, but he’s still insanely talented. He has strong hands and a nice touch, giving the Suns yet another young player to build with.
- San Antonio Spurs – Tyler Ulis (Kentucky)
This pick just makes too much sense. Ulis seems to be falling because of a hip injury that is leaving teams to pick someone else. On top of that he’s also 5’9”. So, who else but the Spurs to take him and likely have him turn into Tony Parker getting to play with Kawhi Leonard and Aldridge the next couple of years. This could very well turn into the steal of the draft.
- Golden State Warriors – Juan Hernangomez (Spain)
The Warriors obviously excel in shooting and playing the ‘death’ lineup. Well, Mo Speights could be lost to free agency, so the Warriors will need another shooting forward to come off the bench. Hernangomez plays in one of the better leagues in Europe and good size at 6’9” 220 pounds.
Second Round
- Boston Celtics – Ben Bentil (Providence)
- Los Angeles Lakers – Thon Maker (Orangeville Prep)
- Los Angeles Clippers – Ivica Zubac (Croatia)
- Phoenix Suns – Zhou Qi (China)
- Boston Celtics – Paul Zipser (Germany)
- Milwaukee Bucks – Damian Jones (Vanderbilt)
- Houston Rockets – Gary Payton II (Oregon State)
- Milwaukee Bucks – Isaia Cordinier (France)
- New Orleans Pelicans – Chinanu Onuaku (Louisville)
- New Orleans Pelicans – Jarrod Uthoff (Iowa)
- Orlando Magic – Petr Cornelle (France)
- Utah Jazz – Caris LeVert (Michigan)
- Houston Rockets – AJ Hammons (Purdue)
- Atlanta Hawks – Patrick McCaw (UNLV)
- Boston Celtics – Michael Gbinije (Syracuse)
- Dallas Mavericks – Cat Barber (NC State)
- Orlando Magic – Isaiah Whitehead (Seton Hall)
- Chicago Bulls – Kay Felder (Oakland)
- Detroit Pistons – Rade Zagorac (Serbia)
- Indiana Pacers – Alex Poythress (Kentucky)
- Boston Celtics – Stephen Zimmerman Jr. (UNLV)
- Utah Jazz – Georgios Papagiannis (Greece)
- Denver Nuggets – Jake Layman (Maryland)
- Atlanta Hawks – Joel Bomboy (Weber State)
- Brooklyn Nuggets – Pascal Siakam (New Mexico State)
- Denver Nuggets – Yogi Ferrell (Indiana)
- Memphis Grizzlies – Kyle Wiltjer (Gonzaga)
- Boston Celtics – Ron Baker (Wichita State)
- Sacramento Kings – Ty Wallace (Cal)
- Utah Jazz- Fred VanVleet (Wichita State)