2016 NBA Mock Draft: What Happens After Simmons and Ingram?
By Jay Siskin
Baylor’s Taurean Prince is the Jae Crowder of this draft class. Why? He possesses a very similar skillset, and projects to be a “three-and-D” type of role player in the NBA.
At 21 he’d offer insurance for the Atlanta Hawks if Kent Bazemore was to leave in free agency or suffer any injuries. Prince would fit great with Mike Budenholzer’s system with his ability as a cutter and as a threat as an off-the-ball shooter on offense.
In 2014-15, Prince shot 39 percent from beyond the arc, but that percentage dipped down to 36 percent last season. Another great part of Prince’s game is his ability to play both forward spots, which would give the Hawks another contributor at either spot as a 6-8 wing with athleticism. Also, Prince is a decent rebounder for as a small forward, so he can contribute in a lot of different ways.
He’s an 82 percent free-throw shooter. He can use that aspect of his game at the NBA level by drawing fouls with his ability to get to the rim.
Next: No. 22