2016 NBA Mock Draft 6.0

Now that the college basketball season has come to a close, it is time for the mock draft season to take off. In this sixth edition of our site’s mock draft, take a lot to see where your favorite team lands, and who they select to help guide the future of the franchise.

*Standings are from 4/6/2016

1. Philadelphia 76ers- Brandon Ingram SF Duke Although many people will be quick to judge Simmon’s current talent over that of Ingram’s, Simmons would require the destruction of many current young players on the roster, and Ingram fills a bigger need, and offers the same amount of long term potential. With Joel Embiid hopefully going to be healthy for next season, and Noel showing progress at power forward, Jahlil Okafor is likely out the door this offseason. An addition of Simmons could have meant trying to move Okafor, Noel, and possibly Saric, so Ingram maximizes the roster’s current talent, and brings in a new dynamic for future success in Philly.
2. Los Angeles Lakers- Ben Simmons PF LSU The Lakers get the star player they truly want to build around in Simmons. Julius Randle has played very well this season, but he does not offer the same game changing ability, and would likely come off the bench, or become a lucrative trade piece. With the backcourt set, and a game changer in the frontcourt, the Lakers will be just a few pieces away from getting back to their championship aspirations.
3. Phoenix Suns- Dragan Bender PF International With the recent success of Kristaps Porzingis, and Bender showing a very similar skill set, Phoenix will have to take the gamble on the seven footer. Bender has the ability to stretch the floor, handle the ball, and has shown improvements on his defensive ability this season. With so little potential on this roster, Phoenix can take the risk on Bender. Bender would also like the option of Phoenix as they could bring him over sooner, as he does have an opt out in his contract for the NBA.
4. Boston Celtics- Buddy Hield SG Oklahoma One of the key aspects for any championship team is their ability to have a game changer on the three point line(Splash Brother, Danny Green, Ray Allen for a few examples), and that is something Boston does not currently have. Hield put on a tremendous shooting performance this season for the Sooners, and it carried him form a last first round pick, all the way to a potential top five pick.
5. Minnesota Timberwolves- Kris Dunn PG Providence Ricky Rubio is a nice distributor and defensive point guard, but his inability to shoot is going to cause the Wolves to never grow into their full potential. Although Dunn does not have the shooting ability of a guy like Jamal Murray, Dunn is a better passer, defender, and leader. Until Dunn is ready to take the reins, Rubio is a sufficient starter, and will be an excellent back-up if they are unable to fnd any trade partners.
6. New Orleans Pelicans- Jamal Murray PG/SG Kentucky Now that New Orleans has the chance to finally move on from Eric Gordon, they can draft a difference maker to make life easier for Anthony Davis. Murray has not shown the ability to be the lead guy, but has the shooting stroke to fill in nicely next to Jrue Holiday. Holiday would no longer be the focal point of the backcourt, which should free him up to make plays for others, or create for himself. An addition of Murray would help make the Pelicans playoff worthy again.
7. Denver Nuggets- Jaylen Brown SF California Denver does not have too many holes on their roster, so they can go with the best player available. Brown does need some work before he becomes a full time starter, and with Danilo Gallinari and Wilson Chandler on the roster, Brown could see decent minutes off the bench, but not be pressured to produce right away. Gallinari and Chandler could also help Brown develop his three point attack if he wants to become effective at the next level.
8. Sacramento Kings- Dejounte Murray PG Washington Although Rajon Rondo has been good for the Kings this season, his inability to shoot in their fast paced attack is limiting the team’s progress. Murray played fast all season at Washington, so his transition would be a lot easier than most rookies. Murray also brings in the ability to be a good distributor, but also the ability to knock down threes on a regular basis. Depending on how the organization feels about DeMarcus Cousins, this pick could change in the coming months.
9. Toronto Raptors- Marquese Chriss PF Washington I loved watching Marquese Chriss this season at Washington, but he needs another year at the college level to round out his game. Chriss is an explosive athlete, with potential through the roof, but he lacks control, and that is going to hurt him at the next level. Chriss is still growing into his body, so he gets in foul trouble very easily. He averaged 4.1 fouls per game in only 24.9 minutes per game. Toronto is already a contender in the Eastern Conference so they can gamble on Chriss and let him season on the backend of the rotation or D-League, but if he lands on another team it could end up being a bust.
10. Milwaukee Bucks- Jakob Poeltl C Utah Milwaukee has their big three set up for the future, but they need a sturdy center to close up the remaining gaps. Poeltl will be all over the top ten range for the coming months, mainly because he does not do anything explosive, but he is efficient, and good at what he does. Poeltl draws a lot of comparisons to Andrew Bogut, who had a very successful career in Milwaukee. Poeltl would not take anything away from the current big three, but would shore up the interior defense, and allow Milwaukee to stay in games, and become a true contender in the coming years.
11. Orlando Magic- Furkan Korkmaz SG International Orlando will have to make a decision regarding their young sharp shooter, Evan Fournier, who becomes a free agent this summer. Korkmaz is already beloved by scouts across the league, and is called the prototypical two guard. Korkmaz has all the same abilities as Fournier on the offensive side of the ball, plus better defense, so Orlando should continue their cheap youth movement with the selection of Korkmaz.
12. Phoenix Suns- Skal Labissiere PF/C Kentucky Skal Labissiere announced he would enter the draft on 4/5/2016, and sign an agent. Phoenix already made the selection of Bender to bolster their frontcourt, but they need a rim protector to build around. This season proved Labissiere will need a lot of work, but with Tyson Chandler on the roster, who is a good guide to what Labissiere has to offer, Phoenix has the time and roster to build him into a possible defensive star.
13. Houston Rockets- Ivan Rabb PF California Houston has been trying to find a stretch four for what seems like ages. As long as they stay in the lottery, or else they lose their pick to the Nuggets, Houston is able to obtain Rabb, who draws a lot of comparisons to Chris Bosh. Although many people are higher on Ellenson than Rabb, Rabb has shown some defensive instincts, while there’s just nothing there for Ellenson. Rabb will also fit much better into the pace of which Houston runs their offense.
14. Chicago Bulls- Malik Beasley SG Florida State Rumors have it Chicago is willing to listen to offers for Jimmy Butler this offseason, and quite frankly they should. Their current roster is good enough to challenge for a playoff spot every year, but that is it. With Boston a heavy favorite to try and land Butler, Chicago could bring in a lot of ammo for their rebuild in this draft with all the picks Boston does have. Although Beasley  does not look the part of a franchise pillar, he does have a deadly offensive arsenal, something the bench could use, or as a replacement for Butler.
15. Utah Jazz- Timothe Luwawu SG/SF International Utah has seen a surge in play to close out the season, but they still need a lot of help with their scoring efforts. Alec Burks has not been able to stay healthy the past two seasons, Dante Exum is coming off ACL surgery, and Trey Burke just is not very good. Luwawu may not be an offensive juggernaut, but he has a sound shot, hit any shot, and is a tenacious defender. Adding him to their rotation would give them the added firepower to become a reliable playoff contender every year.
16. Boston Celtics- Henry Ellenson PF Marquette I really enjoy watching Henry Ellenson, but all these mocks that have him going as high as three are crazy. Watching him play, he is a decent outside shooter, great rebounder, but awful defender. The comparisons to Kevin Love are not far off, which is why I think Boston will snatch him up, or quite a few teams ahead of him, but I think like Kevin Love, he will need 2-3 years before you see a lot of solid production from him.
17. Detroit Pistons- Tyler Ulis PG Kentucky If it was not for his small size, Ulis would probably be a top five pick in this year’s draft. The kid is an excellent distributor, make any shot, and showed good leadership at Kentucky. Detroit has Reggie Jackson to lead the first unit, but when he sits down to play, Detroit can become sporadic. Ulis will have bolster the second unit, and make Detroit a legitimate contender for the Eastern Conference crown.
18. Denver Nuggets- Domantas Sabonis PF Gonzaga Denver is still figuring out their backcourt, and with so many veteran guards available in the second round, I think they go best player available. Sabonis is an extremely efficient scorer, good rebounder, and mediocre defender. Denver already has a pretty crowded young frontcourt, but besides Jokic, none of them have the offensive attack Sabonis brings to the table. Sabonis also gives Denver a lot of room to trade other members of the frontcourt to address a possible veteran backup guard via trade.
19. Indiana Pacers- Brice Johnson PF North Carolina The biggest thing Indiana is missing this season is the toughness they lost this offseason in David West. Brice Johnson does not have anything flashy, but he is a dominant rebounder, finishes on his shot attempts, and has toughness. Johnson will pair well with Myles Turner, who likes to stretch the floor on offense, and will allow Johnson to clean up anything anyone misses. There is a reason Indina tried very hard at the start of the season to trade for Taj Gibson, but Johnson is just a much younger version of that.
20. Memphis Grizzlies- Denzel Valentine SG/SF Michigan State Although Memphis likes to stay away from shooters, I think this one fits their mold. Valentine has the ability to knock down any shot on the court, which Memphis does not currently have, besides Mike Conley. Valentine will also bring in an ability to lock down on opposing team’s best perimeter player. Memphis looks to be hitting a rebuilding period, but if they draft Valentine, and resing Mike Conley to might be able to prolong their success for another season or two.
21. Charlotte Hornets- Diamond Stone C Maryland Diamond Stone continues to fly all over the board for his draft range. Stone possess elite natural traits on the offensive side of the ball, but is very raw on the defensive end of the court. AL Jefferson is a free agent, and Frank Kaminsky looks to be a backup level center for the NBA stage. Stone will give the Hornets another building block, and a potential dominant center to continue to build around for the next decade.
22. Philadelphia 76ers- Demetrius Jackson PG Notre Dame Philadelphia finally starts to address their hideous backcourt situation. Jackson has proven to be a solid starter for the last four years at Notre Dame, and has the leadership to step in right away, and lead this franchise. Jackson is a good distributor, stretches the floor, and plays defense. Although Jackson does not look to be a star at the next level, if Philadelphia decides to replace him with another lottery selection next year, he would serve as a great backup point guard.
23. Bostons Celtics- Stephen Zimmerman C UNLV Boston finally addresses their need for a rim protector with the selection of Zimmerman. Zimmerman is a very raw perspective on the offensive side of the ball, but possess great instincts on the defensive side of the ball. Brad Stevens has proven to be an excellent coach, and a great developer of talent, so if anyone in the mid-twenties can make Zimmerman a star, it will be Stevens.
24. Atlanta Hawks- Damian Jones C Vanderbilt Atlanta will have to make a big decision this offseason with Al Horford. Horford has proven to be a hidden superstar in the league, but now on the wrong side of 30, and wanting a max deal, Atlanta should look elsewhere. Although Jones has been inconsistent this year with his production, he still possesses the traits to be a good two-way center in the league. He owns an impressive array of post moves, but can drop back on defense and protect the rim. He may not have the outside shot of Horford, but he will be much cheaper, and a good piece to add to their future core.
25. Los Angeles Clippers- Wade Baldwin IV Vanderbilt The biggest knock against Baldwin was is inability to take over a mediocre Vanderbilt squad. Baldwin is a lights out shooter, great passer, and pick pocketing machine, but the leadership role is in question, and that is a needed trait to succeed in the NBA. Luckily in the mock, Baldwin is going to the Clippers, who have Chris Paul. Behind Paul, Baldwin can learn the natural traits of being a leader at the point guard position, as well as getting much needed playoff experience, before he would likely take over after Paul’s career.
26. Toronto Raptors- Taurean Prince SF Baylor Prince made a name for himself during March Madness with his perfect response to a bad reporter question about rebounding. Prince is strong, good shooter, and a good rebounder, but he just does not have the ability to take over games. That is okay for Toronto, who need to continue upgrading their bench to compete with the Cavaliers for the Eastern Conference crown. Prince is much like current starter forward DeMarre Carroll, and could grow into a similar type role, and save the Raptors money in the future.
27. Philadelphia 76ers- Thon Maker PF International Thon Maker shocked the world earlier this week by announcing he would forgo college, and declare for the draft. Although he still needs to get cleared by the NBA, he is 19, and one year removed from high school, so it should work. Maker is one of the rawest prospects in the draft, and will need a few years to develop in the D-League, which is something Philadelphia can offer him, until he is ready to be more than an energizer type player.
28. Phoenix Suns- DeAndre Bembry SF Saint Joseph Phoenix has been a mess this season, and injuries to T.J. Warren and Eric Bledsoe can be looked at as main culprits. Bembry brings everything Warren brings to the table, so he would be an excellent backup to him, or could push him for the starting position to make both players better. Phoenix can not worry about trying to find a star this late in the first round, but adding a solid backup forward will help their bench unit, which is atrocious.
29. San Antonio Spurs- Ante Zizic PF International Depending on if San Antonio wins a championship this year, and the retirement decision of their former big three, San Antonio will likely be strapped for cash, so draft-and-stash is the most likely option for now. Zizic has been making a big name for himself over in Europe, and could fly up into the early twenties come draft day, but San Antonio continues their recent tradition of drafting quality big men from Europe.
30. Golden State Warriors- Grayson Allen SG Duke You can never have enough shooters in this league. Allen has proven to be a reliable threat from the perimeter. He does also have a little dirty streak this season, but you can always you someone like that to match up with Matthew Dellavedova, another dirty player for a contending team. With the current roster, Allen would never involve into a starter, but Golden State could use an upgrade to their bench guards at a very affordable rate.

By: Mac Crowe, @Mac_Truck17