2016 NBA Mock Draft – Siskin’s Sizzler
The 2016 NBA Draft is now less than two weeks away. On June 23rd, 60 draft eligible prospects will hear their name called under the bright lights of the Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn, New York. Many in the basketball world have called this a “two-man draft” but like every draft, there are many sleepers, busts, surprises and players who eventually become NBA all-stars.
The NBA draft is a very enjoyable night for teams, prospects and fans. Certain teams elect to rebuild through free agency. Chasing star free agents isn’t something all teams are interested in, which makes the NBA Draft that much more important. Even with an increasing salary cap, Players flocking to small markets are slim to none, and first-round picks in the NBA Draft are some of the most valuable assets
The NBA combine has been over for some time, and the lottery has passed. That means we’re into the workout phase of the pre-draft process. The countdown to draft night in full swing. The question of this draft is very simple. After Ben Simmons and Brandon Ingram, how do the rest of the top 30 selections in the 2016 NBA Draft pan out?
Next: No. 1
Rumors have swirled around the NBA spectrum and social media world that indicate the Philadelphia 76ers are interested in moving either one of their big men, Jahlil Okafor or Nerlens Noel, before the draft or on draft night. This shows me they’re trying to build their roster to surround Simmons.
Question marks with Simmons’ game include his reluctance to shoot jumpers and the lack of wins at LSU. However, in my opinion, Simmons still has the highest ceiling of any player in this draft class, which makes him a more sensible and realistic option for a franchise that for the several years have been waiting to draft a superstar-caliber player.
Will the Sixers take a hard look at Brandon Ingram? Absolutely, because the floor spacing that he provides with his shooting, but the team has spent the past three years sacrificing wins for a chance at a franchise-changing player. Passing on Simmons is way too big of a risk.
Next: No.2
Laker nation rejoiced on lottery night. Keeping their pick, and ending up with either Simmons or Ingram, is a great start for incoming coach Luke Walton.
Getting Ingram is a great way to kick off the post-Kobe era for the Los Angeles Lakers. A long athlete who shot 41 percent from 3-point range in one season at Duke who could help out right away. Superstardom isn’t guaranteed in this league, but Ingram’s game has similarities to Kevin Durant. Because when you watch him, it’s easy to see why those comparisons are made.
Ingram would fit perfectly with the Lakers young core constructed of Russell, Clarkson, Randle and Nance. He possess a long, athletic frame with the ability to shoot. He can defend and take slower opponents off the dribble. Ingram’s three-point shooting would give the Lakers a potential dynamic duo with D’Angelo Russell.
Who knows, Ingram could be the missing piece who returns the franchise to the playoffs in the future if they miss out on desirable free agents.
Next: No.3
In a pre-draft workout with the Celtics, Jamal Murray made 79 of 100 3-point in a performance that was impressive by all counts. It also shouldn’t be all that surprising that Murray shot 40.8 percent from 3-point range during his one season at Kentucky. Boston really needs shooting., and 2008 Ray Allen isn’t working out in that role anytime soon.
Murray will likely be a shooting guard in the NBA, but he is capable of playing at either guard spot. An off-the-ball shooter of Murray’s caliber, who can also create off the dribble, would be a huge help to Isaiah Thomas and a team that is in dire need of shooters and scorers.
Murray has the scoring instincts and ability and shooting touch to be a good NBA scorer. The Celtics going this direction makes a lot of sense, in my opinion.
Next: No.4
Dragan Bender is the Kristaps Porzingis of this year’s draft class. Although Bender is coming over to the NBA one year earlier than Porzingis did, the question is, which team is going to end up passing on him and regretting it three or four seasons from now?
He is without a doubt the best draft-eligible prospect in this draft who didn’t play college basketball. In my opinion, I highly doubt he’ll be selected outside the top five. Bender is an 18-year-old forward will be a nice stretch-four for a team at the NBA level. Bender has the ability to switch on defense and hit from the perimeter, both of which would make him an excellent fit on any NBA team.
Bender’s potential gives Suns a solid player with high upside in the frontcourt, which is something which they are looking for ever since they traded the Morris twins. Boston could take him third overall. But if the Celtics end up passing on him, the Suns most likely won’t.
Next: No.5
Coach Tom Thibodeau accurately believes the Minnesota Timberwolves are ready to take the next step forward and make the NBA Playoffs in the near future.
So drafting someone who can contribute immediately makes sense, and Hield is undeniably ready to play as a rookie. The reigning Naismith National Player of the Year is probably the best shooter in this draft along with Jamal Murray. After finishing 29-53, he’d be a great addition to a young team that ranked near the bottom (25th) in 3-point shooting this past season.
The Wolves building are building their team around Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins, an off-the-ball shooter of Hield’s caliber would be a huge help for a team looking to take that next step. Hield is a better defender than what many people in the basketball world think. He will likely start his time on the bench, so he’ll have a year or two to learn defense and improve his ballhandling as he grows into a starter in the NBA.
Next: No.6
Anthony Davis has played four seasons for the New Orleans Pelicans. He’s missed the playoffs three times in those four seasons, and still has never won a postseason game. Its obvious the Pelicans need to use this pick to get him somebody who can contribute right away, and Kris Dunn is that player.
Dunn could be potentially drop because of Boston, Phoenix, and Minnesota having depth at point guard.
He could start on opening night if the Pelicans need him to start on opening night, but there have been reports that Dunn’s camp is trying to steer him away from teams with young, long-term options at the point. Dunn and Holiday could be a nice duo if Holiday can stay healthy.
Dunn might be the best option in this draft for a team looking fora plug-and-play prospect. The Pelicans need to bet big to get Davis some talent around him. He can’t be worse than Austin Rivers. Dunn might be too talented to pass up here. The bet is Dunn.
Next: No.7
The former Golden Bear measured at 6’7 in shoes with a 7’0.5 wingspan at 222 pounds. Brown shot 48% inside the arc, 29% from three, and 65% from the line for the Golden Bears, Brown didn’t have the easiest time translating his game to the college ranks. With 51% of his shot attempts in the half court coming from the perimeter.
Brown averaged 14.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2 assists per game as a true freshman at California. Brown was named Pac-12 Freshman of the Year and earned a spot on the All-Pac-12 First Team, solidifying himself as a top-10 pick despite plenty of ups and downs. Brown can contribute right away for the Nuggets with his ability to rebound on the defensive glass, which provides him opportunities to grab-and-go.
Pushing the ball up the court is one of the solid aspects of Brown’s game. He can change speeds in the open floor and expose a scrambling defense with his ability to attack the rim with his explosiveness, finishing at the rim with power.
Brown has exhibited good lateral quickness to keep pace in isolation and has a 7-0 wingspan to contest shots effectively and be a threat to block shots as the trailer recovering from navigating over ball-screens. He can give the Nuggets some more depth and insurance at the wing as Wilson Chandler returns from injury. Brown can has the time to develop behind Will Barton, Danillo Gallinari and Chandler.
He’s a big wing who has the ability play the four in a small-ball lineup situation, and big wings who can play the four in small-ball lineups are more valuable than ever in this version of the NBA.
Next: No.8
Chriss is not yet as developed as some other prospects in this draft class but his rise up draft boards is definitely noticeable. Chriss has a very high chance to become the first one-and-done prospect to be selected in the top 10 after not being ranked in the top 50 of his recruiting class.
Chriss began playing basketball five years ago, and he entered Washington as a relative unknown. Although he hasn’t been playing organized basketball as long as other players in the draft class, Chriss has a higher ceiling than almost anyone. That seems to be a consensus opinion amongst scouts and insiders.
His potential as a three-point shooter could make him a good fit with Demarcus Cousins and Rajon Rondo in Sacramento (if the Kings retain Rondo).
Chriss might be the best athlete in the draft, and with shooting touch out to three-point range, and all kinds of room to learn the game and grow, he could end up being the best player in this draft down the road. Chriss is raw, but outside of Ingram, Simmons and Bender, he might have more potential than any other prospect in this class.
Dave Joerger could use a stretch-four with high upside.
Next: No.9
Toronto has a tremendous need at the power forward slot, which makes Ellenson an option along with Deyonta Davis, Skal Labissiere or Marquese Chriss. With the possibility of Byombo leaving in free agency and Scola aging, Ellenson could be a missing puzzle piece. The Marquette product could develop nicely behind Patrick Patterson.
He is only 19, and though he didn’t have a good percentage from the three-point line at Marquette, he has tremendous tools to be a stretch-four on offense. Ellenson could be an ideal front court partner to position alongside Jonas Valanciunas.
He may struggle in pick-and-roll situations when it comes to switches, and he’s not a player that will protect the rim on a consists basis, but he can be a poor man’s Kevin Love for the Raptors.
A perimeter shooting threat, especially from a front court position, would help open up the driving lanes for DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry. If he can become more consistent from beyond the arc, along with his solid and polished low-post game, Ellenson has a high ceiling in this draft.
Next: No.10
In 2015-16, Coach Lorenzo Romar and the Washington Huskies basketball program assembled one of the best 2015 recruiting classes in the country, seventh best to be exact.
The Milwaukee Bucks have a need at point guard. Murray has electric and superb ball handling ability with crossovers. He has the quick, shifty moves to evade defenders and get to the rim. He also uses his excellent ball handling and quickness to get his opponents off balance and create space to pull up. Murray shows he has the ability to score in a multitude of ways with his great feel for isolating and creating shots for himself and teammates off the dribble.
Murray is very fluid and capable of playing above the rim in space and transition. He has the IQ to know where he needs to be on the floor, which shows his excellent instincts and pace.
He shows impressive touch and range on floaters, and made more of them compared to any other draft prospect in the nation in 2015-16, converting them at a rate of 45 percent. It’s tremendously difficult to make a living using just a floater in the NBA, but on the flip side it can be a huge weapon.
Murray has the ideal basketball body that NBA teams and scouts are searching for. With great length, big wingspan (measured at 6’10”), Murray is an explosive athlete who should become even more explosive as he fills out his body in the NBA.
Next: No.11
Labissiere is the Myles Turner of this draft class. A McDonalds All-American with high expectations, but poor results in college. He has a very upside as a front-court big man that can space the floor with his shooting ability. Labissiere might have been the most criticized player in college basketball last season due to his disappointing performance.
Once considered a possible top overall selection, Frank Vogel’s ability to develop young talent would make Labissiere more than an ideal fit. Vogel can do for the Magic what he did for Myles Turner with the Indiana Pacers.
Labissiere’s potential with his shot blocking, touch from the perimeter, and athleticism, would make him a great fit in Orlando, and he would complement to Nikola Vucevic’s inside scoring.
He’s still only 19-years-old, and if he can add muscle to his frame as he develops, he’s got the skills to be a two-way stretch four or five that resembles Channing Frye but with better defense. In pre-draft workouts, Labissiere’s shooting from distance has sparked topic of discussion in the twitter world.He’s worth a gamble at number 11 in a weak draft.
Next: No.12
Baldwin is another prospect with a very high ceiling. He plays excellent defense, he shoots well from beyond the arc (42% from three in two years at Vandy). At 6’4″ with a 6’11” wingspan, he is well-suited to spend the next 10 years harassing the best point guards in the NBA.
The Jazz need some depth at the point guard spot due to injuries to Alec Burks and Dante Exum, and Trey Burke under performing. Baldwin’s defensive versatility and ability to shoot off the ball would give him the ability to play both guard positions for Utah. His versatility could fit in well with Utah’s backcourt, and give them another option if Exum struggles with injuries.
Utah could very well select another big man who falls out of the top 10 as they did last year with Trey Lyles to provide some depth for Gobert, who has battled an injury as well. However, the starting point guard position is a dire need for the Jazz.
The team might go another direction, though, after the trade for Shelvin Mack helped the Jazz tremendously.
Next: No.13
At some point in the top 20, somebody will take Richardson simply because he’s a big wing who can play the four in a small-ball lineup, and big wings who can play the three in small-ball lineups are more valuable than ever in the evolving NBA game.
The Suns posses three first-round picks and Richardson is a top-tier athlete who was talked about as a possible top 10 pick. He one of few players in the draft that everybody seems intrigued by but few love.
The Suns have a lot depth on the perimeter with T.J. Warren, Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight, but they could use some athletes to help rebuild their front court. Richardson is a bit raw, there’s no doubt, but he has the physical tools to be a big time role player down the road. It’ll take a few years for him to materialize, but sitting behind Bledsoe and Knight can’t hurt.
A league scout told Keith Pompey of the Philly Inquirer Richardson’s workout was phenomenal. “It looked like last year’s Porzingis workout. I’m hearing he’s going in the top 10.” Richardson went 13-of-15 from 3-point range during his Pro-Day workout.
Since then, Richardson is now at No. 13 on Chad Ford’s Big Board after being completely absent until April 26. Richardson is a prime example of debate in the NBA: the eye test vs. analytics. Richardson has the look and size of an NBA wing (6’6, 200 lbs. with a 7-foot wingspan), but the numbers from his freshman season just don’t back it up:
| MP | FG% | 2P% | 3P% | FT% | TRB | AST | STL | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34.4 | .370 | .390 | .353 | .720 | 4.3 | 2.1 | 1.1 | 13.4 |
| 34.4 | .370 | .390 | .353 | .720 | 4.3 | 2.1 | 1.1 | 13.4 |
In a ever-changing league that values length and shooting, Richardson going in the top-10 might be a surprise to many basketball fans, but In a draft that is already light on wings, Richardson seems like a perfect prospect.
Richardson has quick and smooth shooting mechanics. He hit 35.3 percent of 6.1 attempts per game from three this past year for the Orange, and he did it while proving he has the ability to shoot from NBA range. Richardson’s shooting motion is so fluid that it’s easy to envision him being a better shooter in the NBA than he was at Syracuse.
The biggest red flag he possesses is his 39 percent mark on two-pointers, which is the lowest of any projected pick in the 2016 draft.
Next: No.14
Poeltl emerged as one of the most productive big men in college basketball last season for Utah. He won Pac-12 Player of the Year honors along with both the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Pete Newell Big Man awards while averaging 17.3 points and 9.1 rebounds over 30.5 minutes per game. As a potential top-15 pick, Poeltl figures to be one of the first centers off the board come draft day thanks to the marked improvement he showed as a sophomore.
Rumors around the NBA indicate that Joakim Noah is leaving Chicago via free agency this summer along with future hall-of-famer Pau Gasol. This would force the Bulls to focus on front court prospects, and Poeltl would be one who could play right away.
Poeltl’s physical profile and low-post skills makes him a player who could help to bolster a team’s front-court rotation immediately. The former Ute can also come off the bench behind Taj Gibson as he continues to develop down the line.
If the Bulls end up keeping Gasol or Noah, getting a big man who plays good team defense, and has as versatility on offense as Poeltl is, would be a nice addition.
Next: No.15
The Nuggets posses three first-round picks, so they can afford a big swing here at Deyonta Davis. The 6-11 forward showed himself as a high-level rebounder during his one season at Michigan State, even though he played in limited minutes. Not to mention he was one of the nation’s best shot-blockers in college basketball during the 2015-16 season.
If the Nuggets ever elect to trade Darrell Arthur (if he re-signs in the summer), Davis could be a replacement with his ability to be a difference-maker on the defensive end at the NBA level. Davis is raw, but the combination size and athleticism together makes him worth a swing.
Davis’ stat line at Michigan State, 7.5 ppg, 5.5 rebounds, 1.8 blocks, 18 mpg, is similar to what Steven Adams did his freshman year at Pittsburgh: 7.2 ppg, 6 rebounds, and 2 blocks in 24 minutes per game. Davis has a ton of potential, but could be a few years away from being a consistent contributor. Davis can learn a lot sitting behind Kenneth Faried.
Davis could be another prospect that ends up being a steal of this draft down the road.
Next: No.16
Potential lottery pick Domantas Sabonis only worked out for four teams, and the Boston Celtics are one of those teams. The Gonzaga product also worked out for Phoenix, Toronto and Utah.
The Lithuanian-American, who is listed 6’10”, played for the Spanish basketball club Unicaja Malaga’s junior and senior teams before turning down a three-year contract from Unicaja to play for Mark Feud at Gonzaga prior to the 2014-2015 NCAA season.
After the 2014-15 season, he earned All-WCC Second Team honors as a freshman despite playing only 21.8 minutes per game off the bench for coach Feud. Sabonis returned to Spokane as a key reserve for the Bulldogs behind Przemek Karnowski and Kyle Wiltjer.
He finished top 10 (seventh) in the country in post-up scoring and third in efficiency according to Synergy Sports Technology, Sabots has excellent footwork with tremendous hands, good body control, and a nice shooting touch, converting 67 percent on post ups.
Sabonis’ rebounding and inside scoring would be a good fit for Brad Stevens and the Celtics. The potential development of his jump shot makes him even more enticing as he continues to develop his game.
He became one of the most productive big men in the NCAA this past season, averaging a double-double with 17.6 points and 11.8 rebounds per game. Sabonis and Wiltjer were the main reasons Gonzaga made a great run to the elite eight in March.
Oh yeah, it helps having a father who played in the NBA. Arvydas Sabonis played in the NBA for parts of eight seasons.
Next: No.17
The Grizzlies need help and depth at the point guard position, especially if Mike Conley leaves this summer in free agency.
Memphis could grab Wade Baldwin if he falls to them. If not, Ulis is a sensible option here because he is, though small, a true point guard in every sense of the position. It wouldn’t surprise me if Ulis ends up being selected ahead of Demetrius Jackson on draft night.
Ulis, despite his size, would give Memphis steady point guard play off the bench behind Conley. He showed the basketball universe at Kentucky that he’s a great decision-maker. Ullis has the basketball instincts an NBA team is looking for in a potential starting point guard. He also possesses something that makes him a valuable teammate: the heart to compete.
His value as a prospect goes far beyond basketball statistics. Ullis is a floor general who ran a Kentucky team exceptionally. Kentucky head coach John Calipari admitted this past season that Ulis “coached our team.” Calipari gave him the freedom to make adjustments because of his tremendous basketball IQ and leadership skills.
Ullis landing in a situation like Memphis could be a blessing in disguise if he can sit behind Conley and learn from the veteran as he adapts to the NBA game.
Next: No.18
Valentine is one of the best dribble-drive players in this draft with his ability to pass and shoot off the dribble. His versatility on the offensive end that he showed during his four-year college career should make him a quick contributor at the NBA level.
The reigning Big Ten Player of the Year doesn’t have the ceiling that some other players ahead of him possess. But the former Michigan State star has the potential to be a rookie who can contribute right away.
He’s super skilled and could go a few picks higher than this, but wouldn’t it be fun to throw him in Detroit as a Swiss Army knife who can hit threes off the bench?
The Pistons have decent perimeter depth at the shooting guard and small forward positions, but adding Valentine’s perimeter shooting and play making would be big for a team that struggled to find offense at times this year. Valentine has the ability to be a backup point guard, which was something Detroit desperately needed last season. They are still somewhat lacking in perimeter shooting, and could always use more playmaking. Valentine provides both.
Valentine’s defense will need work at the next level, but he is a tremendous upgrade over Steve Blake.
Next: No.19
Luwawu is a wing who has good size for a shooting guard. He is also an above-average athlete and defender. But with his size he can develop into a better defender. Luwawu’s length and size is appealing to NBA teams.
NBA teams are in love with his ability to shoot from beyond the arc, shooting 40 percent from 3-point range. His size and three-point shooting ability makes him a possible lottery pick.
Having solidified their depth at wing and the front-court with Jaylen Brown and Deyonta Davis, this would be a great chance for Denver to further strengthen their shooting on the wing.
At pick 19, he’s a nice option for the Nuggets. With Will Barton and Gary Harris on the roster this would allow Luwawu at least two or three years to develop further down the road. Luwawu has shown he has NBA potential against a high level of competition across the pond in Europe.
Next: No. 20
The Indiana Pacers had a successful 2015-16 season. The team won 45 games, more than what many expected, and pushed the Toronto Raptors to seven games during the first round of the playoffs. Paul George returned back to form, and bounced back to score 41 points in the All-Star game and made the All-NBA Third Team. 20-year-old rookie Myles Turner showed the NBA world both his potential and productivity after he made the All-Rookie Second Team.
Nate McMillan is expected to implement Bird’s vision of the Pacers as a small ball team, and the team needs help at the backup point guard position.
Jackson showed well at the NBA combine. He will be the second straight Notre Dame guard to go in the first round (Jerian Grant 2015).
He is likely to be the best point guard available when the Pacers are on the clock, and they could go in a different direction with Brice Johnson or Ben Bentil here as well.
The Notre Dame product has the ability to pick apart the opposing defense in the pick-and-roll while being a respectable shooter (he shot better than 41 percent form 3-point range in his freshman and sophomore seasons). He should become an NBA starter down the road, and he could be a successor to George Hill as he becomes a free agent after next season. But he’ll begin his career as a back-up point guard, which is something the Pacers could use for the time being.
Next: No. 21
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
Signing their free agents is the most important thing this offseason for the Charlotte Hornets. Heading into the draft, the fact that they have three marquee players that could leave this summer should be in the back of the mind of the great Michael Jordan. That’s why the shooting guard position could be a huge need this summer.
McCaw will develop into a solid shooting guard in the NBA with his skill-set and ability to make shots at a decent percentage. An underrated aspect of his game is that McCaw rebounds well above the average for his position.
With the possibility of Jeremy Lin bolting in free agency this summer, McCaw might be a few years away as an NBA player, but he would be a suitable replacement for Lin. Improved perimeter shooting was a big part of Charlotte’s success this past season, but with the chance that Nicolas Batum, Courtney Lee and Lin leaving as free agents, it doesn’t hurt to draft insurance policies.
McCaw is a long and athletic guard, who developed nicely his sophomore season at UNLV. He has developed into an interesting prospect with his combination of size, athleticism, improving outside shot.
Next: No. 23
The Celtics have a numerous amount of picks at their disposal. It would not shock me if this pick or their pick at 16 is traded before the draft or on draft night. Having said that, they’re going to need to either package them for a player or select multiple international prospects that can be stashed after the draft.
A prospect like Zizic is a real possibility at 23 for Boston. Zizic has been impressive this season leading the Adriatic League in rebounding. Zizic could also be used as insurance down the line if they lose Jared Sullinger, Kelly Olynyk, Tyler Zeller or Amir Johnson.
A seven footer with a solid frame at 240 lbs. Zizc’s strengths can help any NBA team. With his ability to roll on picks, move on defense and alter shots around the rim, he would fit into exactly what Boston is lacking among their collection of big men. If they end up passing on Dragan Bender with the third overall pick, this Croatian big man could be a good option.
The Celtics should be willing to take a gamble on this potential draft-and-stash player.
Next: No. 24
25th and Last place. What are those numbers?
That’s the position the Philadelphia 76ers finished in terms of efficiency and scoring at the shooting guard position.
The Sixers finished 25th in the NBA when it comes to points and production from their shooting guards (17.6 per game) while shooting a league worst 38 percent. The five teams that finished below them were: Dallas, Cleveland, Denver, Oklahoma City and Atlanta.
It doesn’t end there.
To top it all off, the Sixers ended dead last in offensive efficiency from the two-position. In 82 games, their shooting guards finished with an efficiency rating of 17. The Houston Rockets led the league with a rating of 32, but that’s because they have James Harden.
Malik Beasley would provide much needed depth at shooting guard, and would provide scoring off the bench.
Beasley’s shot selection is good from the perimeter, although at times he will take and make some shots that are more difficult when he needs to take his time. Before the season began, Beasley came into college with an ability as a versatile shooter, and much of his skill was able to translate to the college game, which should translate to the NBA
He scored 23 points (16 shots) against Louisville, and they were the second-best defense in the country according to KenPom.com. Beasley scored 17 points (10 shots) on a great defensive team in Virginia, and 20 points (17 shots) on Iowa.
Next: No. 25
Bembry was absolutely terrific at the NBA combine. He played tremendously in the five-on-five games and tested well. Bembry’s ability to guard multiple positions at the NBA level should prove useful, especially for the Clippers, who have been searching for solidarity at the small-forward position for years.
Bembry’s vision on the floor and his passing ability could allow him to play the role of point-forward in LA when Chris Paul is not on the court. Also, he is a skilled defender on the perimeter. Bembry has the ability to guard one through four in switching situations.
He has been rising up draft boards as we inch closer to the draft, and his all-around game, minus the ever-crucial jump shot, could fit in well with the Clippers. While success hasn’t been there for Bembry from the perimeter, some hopeful he can add it to his game over time.
If he was a better shooter, then he’d probably be selected in the lottery, but Bembry might be off the board at 26, though, especially if Kent Bazemore leaves in free agency in Atlanta and they select him at 21.
Next: No. 26
The North Carolina Tar Heels have produced a lot of pros under Roy Williams. UNC is a top-three program in terms of creating prospects at the NBA level. Brice Johnson is another one of those prospects, and has the potential to be a first-round pick in the NBA Draft
Johnson has the talent and potential to be a very good NBA player, whether as a rotational player or a Harrison Barnes-esque type of player. One thing he must overcome at the next level is he has to conquer his consistency problems and prove to NBA scouts and coaches that his flashes of great play are more than just that.
Brice Johnson made America’s jaw drop with a 39-point, 23-rebound, 3-block, 3-steal effort against Florida State. It was one of just three 30/20 games across the country this season. Only two Division I players have had 35/23 nights in the past two decades: Oklahoma’s Blake Griffin and Texas’ Kevin Durant. Griffin’s performance was a little better than Johnson’s game with 40 points and 23 rebounds against Texas Tech in 2009. Durant had 37 points and 23 rebounds against Texas Tech in 2008.
The Sixers need winners on the team, and Nerlens Noel or Jahlil Okafor could very well end up being traded before the draft or on draft night.
Next: No. 27
Cheick Diallo didn’t have the freshman season many anticipated. He missed Kansas’ first five games of the season while dealing with an eligibility battle with the NCAA. As the season progressed, he played a marginal role for the Jayhawks, not even participating in half a dozen games.
Diallo played like he was supposed to in the five-on-five games at the combine. Diablo showed his motor with his activity and rebounding. The 6-9 forward helped his draft stock by reminding scouts why he was a projected lottery pick before the 2015-16 season.
The return of Bismarck Byombo is uncertain. Byombo is going to command near-max money in free agency and the Raptors won’t be able to afford him after they sign DeMar DeRozan to a max contract. Diablo gives the Raptors more depth in the front court, and Diallo has the physical tools to be an interesting project behind Jonas Valanciunas.
Diallo’s lack of experience and he still has a lot of developing to do with his frame. But this means the former Jayhawk still has plenty of room to improve on both ends of the court. At times, he looked a little to sped up at times, which isn’t surprising to many, considering he’s still young.
Even though he’s played little high-level basketball to this point in his life, Diallo has a lot of upside.
Next: No. 28
The Mario Hezonja of the 2016 draft class. The 18-year-old Korkmaz hasn’t gotten a lot of playing time for the Anadolu Efes in Istanbul, Turkey. An NBA team will gamble on his youth, athleticism, and perimeter shooting.
The Phoenix Suns have three first-round picks and will likely select at least one draft-and-stash prospects. If Bender isn’t available when they pick third overall, they could definitely go with an international player here at 28.
Korkmaz’s frame is very small. As a result of his lack of muscle and size, he doesn’t finish very well in traffic or at the rim because he lacks the strength to finish through contact. He is also an average ball-handler at best, which hinders him from getting to the basket.
Defensively, Korkmaz is an average defender because he gets lazy with his defensive stance. At times, he will not sit down in a stance at all. However, Korkmaz is a terrific shooter (shot 42% from the three-point line in the Euroleague/Turkish league this season) with ideal size for his position, and NBA scouts love shooting guards with Klay Thompson-esque size.
Next: No. 29
With the uncertainty around Tim Duncan’s future, the San Antonio Spurs would welcome more depth in the front court with Thon Maker.
Maker is still mostly an unknown in the sense that he’s never played basketball consistently against high-level competition, but the Spurs organization is one of the best at developing young players. Maker declaring for the draft was a mistake, in the words of many, but it would be great for him as a player if he ended up in San Antonio, Texas. He measured, tested and interviewed well at the NBA combine.
As noted, the Spurs have had great success in years past with developing players with holes in their game. The Spurs are confident they can turn any prospect into a quality NBA player, especially Maker. He possesses a combination of raw potential and work ethic, which are things the Spurs are always looking for in young talent. If he is available at number 29, the Spurs may grab him with a view to further his development behind Lamarcus Aldridge and Duncan and in the D-League next year.
Next: No. 30
Ben Bentil is a long and athletic forward who can score from multiple spots on the floor: around the rim and all the way out to the 3-point line. He was terrific this past season for Providence. During his sophomore season at Providence, Bentil was the leading scorer in the Big East conference with an average 21.1 points per game.
Benton’s stock rose after his showing in the five-on-five games at the combine. Bentil finished with 15 points, 11 rebounds and three assists to help his combine team win by 40 points. During those games, he showed the complete skill set a lot of scouts love about him.
NBA teams loved Bentil’s measurements at the combine. He measured at 6’8.25 in shoes and his wingspan was 7’1.5 with 9.5 inch hands (the largest of any player at the Combine).
Golden State could end up losing Harrison Barnes in free agency in the off-season. Kerr uses versatile players to their advantage, especially with Steph Curry and Klay Thompson, Bentil would get a lot of Barnes-like open looks. Kerr also likes his team to shoot from the perimeter from four positions.
Next: NBA Rumors: Philadelphia 76ers linked to Toronto Raptors
Bentil would make a lot of sense for the Warriors as a Barnes insurance policy at pick number 30.