The 2016 NBA Draft Top Five Plus Bonus Slides
IT’S HERE!
The Week of the 2016 NBA Draft. This is not just any ole’ NBA Draft, but the starting point of a team on the uptick to something very special, or something very disheartening. Let’s face it. Right now, the Philadelphia 76ers may not be a frightening team on the basketball court just yet – but with a pipeline of draft picks lining up for the foreseeable future, a roster filled with talented young players, and a huge swath of uncommitted NBA salary cap to use, the team is loaded with raw materials to build a winner.
Now we know that the NBA Draft is not the only source of new talent of new president Bryan Colangelo. He’s publicly admitted to roster saturation of rookies and youth, and wants to blend in some veterans who can help the team find more immediate success on the basketball court.
That will involve trades, and we are following up on any whisper, rumor, or lead we come across. But as we do so, we have also encountered the persistent rumor of the Philadelphia 76ers interest in trading in for a second “top five” pick in the 2016 NBA draft.
While we continue to pursue scenarios for the Philadelphia 76ers to achieve a second top five pick, let’s check in on our top five on our board. And if you keep on going – I have a bonus for the folks who read this article in it’s entirety.
I. Ben Simmons 6’10” 240 pounds Forward
II. Brandon Ingram 6’9″ 190 pounds Wing
III. Kris Dunn 6’4″ 220 pound Point Guard
IV. Dragen Bender 7’1″ 216 pounds Center/Power Forward
V. Buddy Hield 6’4″ 215 pounds Shooting Guard
Next: Simmons
If there was ever a moment for Destiny to take an active role in the life of a young man and send him to the right NBA team, this is that moment.
Fate.
The most talked about prospect of the 2016 NBA Draft heading to the most disrespected team of the 2015-2016 season is fate? Ahh, and then there is the rest of the story.
Head Coach Brett Brown has known Ben Simmons from childhood – and coached his father to be honest. Brown has been involved with Australian Ben Simmons for many many years, and that familiarity is a key element in gauging the difference among the range of average to elite.
The Philadelphia 76ers need just about everything. Ben Simmons does just about everything. All he needs is shooters. On the shopping list before the Philadelphia 76ers ever landed the top overall draft pick was – perimeter shooters.
I could bore you to tears about basketball analytics, mentoring, patience, but I won’t. You can read an entire array of stores written which go into depth on any number of topics regarding this young man and this team.
Let’s keep it simple. He can score, move, distribute, rebound, block, and elevate the game of his teammates. He has yet to develop an NBA jumper and trey shot.
He’s our guy.
Next: Ingram
March 24, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Brandon Ingram (14) reacts during the 82-68 loss against Oregon Ducks during the second half of the semifinal game in the West regional of the NCAA Tournament at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Brandon Ingram did everything humanly possible to sell himself to the Philadelphia 76ers, and the top overall selection of the NBA Draft. As much Fate has been involved with the pairing of Simmons to the Sixers, Luck seems to have taken an equally active role in the fortunes of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Escaping a surrender of their first round draft pick completely, the Lakers have been gifted the second overall pick and quite a office warming gift in the form of small forward Brandon ingram for new head coach Luke Walton. He will join a core group of young talent already on this roster – assuming the Lakers abandon the pursuit of elite free agents. But the Lakers have work to do, in particular retaining the services of free agent guard Jordan Clarkson.
Ingram will not need help scoring. He comes with the ability to manufacture shots and a complete arsenal of layups, jumpers and even perimeter shooting. He simply needs to get bigger stronger faster than many prospects to endure the 82 game NBA season.
Next: Dunn
The Boston Celtics do not want to pick at three. The reason? They want to win now, and the only “now” options at three are in the back court. So what’s the next best thing? Select the best player available.
That’s Kris Dunn.
Yes, you’ll hear workouts and streaks, combine savants, and a host of other reasons why some other player goes third. If you don’t know who you want before the workouts, you don’t have much of a chance of success at finding the right player.
Talent-wise, he’s the top guard on a majority of NBA boards. He’s had some tweaks with his shoulder injuries that his agent is fanning the flames of doubt to steer Dunn to an NBA team in need of back court help. He has a solid ceiling.
If the Celtics cannot negotiate a trade before the draft, or on draft night, do not think the efforts cease. The Celtics want to convert back court talent into front court talent desperately this off-season. If selecting Kris Dunn adds to their currency, so be it.
Next: Bender
Dragan Bender is benefiting heavily from the success of last year’s Kristaps Porzingis. While Bender is coming over to the NBA just like Porzingis did, the question is, will the results be just as instantaneous?
I have my doubts. Now, don’t get me wrong, I like Bender a great deal. I simply think he will take time to produce similar results.
He is the highest draft-eligible front court prospect in this draft. He is an 18-year-old forward with the makings of a stretch-four for some NBA team. Bender has very good defensive instincts and he can shoot from the perimeter, both of which are necessary skills in today’s NBA.
Bender’s potential gives him a top five slot, but I think he’s the type of prospect with so much potential that his transition to the NBA would best be done in stages. Much like the contribution of Jahlil Okafor was primarily offense, I suspect that the Phoenix Suns will task Bender with a focus on shot making his first season in the NBA . He is a solid player with high upside in the front court, which is something Suns definitely are seeking.
Next: Hield
The Minnesota Timberwolves have the core, and the intent, to upgrade to post season competitiveness. Unlike the similar situation of the Boston Celtics, the Timberwolves already have a hugely talented center in Karl Anthony Towns.
They simply need to build the NBA post-season ready team around him.
In the 2016 NBA draft, that means Buddy Hield. He’s NBA offense ready, and in the scenario of a team seeking basketball court wins, offense is the quickest way to earn playing minutes. But his is not just offense, but a level of maturity that will bring confidence when he steps onto the basketball court.
The Timberwolves have good pieces in place, Hield is one more good piece to bear the burden of playing minutes and sharing the load. Oh, and that offense won’t hurt.
Next: BONUS SLIDE I
BONUS SLIDE
With their 24th pick of the 2016 NBA Draft, the Philadelphia 76ers are more than happy to select the 6’7″ 175 pound shooting guard from Turkey, Furkan Korkmaz. A lottery pick on many early boards, the young man simply appeared on the radar too early, and while other prospects began to appear, his value simply slid to make room.
But this will be a huge steal for the Philadelphia 76ers at 24. If Bryan Colangelo changes heart, Korkmaz would be a welcome addition to the team. But if Colangelo remains committed to shutting down the mentoring and development aspects of Brett Brown, Korkmaz is the perfect candidate for a Eurostash scenario.
Next: Has Jamaal Charles Lost a Step?
BONUS SLIDE II
With their 26th pick of the 2016 NBA Draft, the Philadelphia 76ers are equally more than happy to select the 7’1″” 216 pound forward from Australia, Thon Maker. Once more, the Sixers land incredible upside in a young man who may not be NBA ready today, but which is perfectly okay with a team with no room for rookie prospects.
Maker is another big man with incredible athleticism and versatility. His 7’1″ frame is deadly when anchored in passing lanes and he can only improve offensively and defensively over time. While there is no obvious spot on the roster for his play today, his upside warrants another Eurostash scenario.
Next: Has Jamaal Charles Lost a Step?
With the 24 and 26 picks, the Philadelphia 76ers will be making a subtle change to their international strategy. Rather than farming out prospects overseas to be used as NBA draft chips later, this is truly a “park and return” situation which will continue to afford the team an opportunity to remain strong as their abundant rookie contracts give way to more expensive second contracts.
And so, the 2016 NBA Draft is more than just a first pick. It is actually a stepping stone to a championship team.