2016 NBA Mock Draft: 8th Edition

Here is my eighth edition of my 2016 NBA Mock Draft.

1. Philadelphia 76ers- Ben Simmons, Power Forward, LSU: With their hodge podge of big men and Simmons with star potential with his ball handling and passing, he’s an obvious choice even as some executives favor Ingram for his shooting. Simmons isn’t a good shooter. Reports say that Philly will indeed select Simmons tomorrow night number one overall.

2. Los Angeles Lakers- Brandon Ingram, Small Forward, Duke: The Lakers needed a little bit of luck, and got it here. Not only were they able to keep the selection (it was top-three protected) and end up with the No. 2 pick in a two-player draft, but they're also in line to grab a guy whose skills perfectly complement the other pieces they already have. LA is still a long way away from competing for titles, but Ingram and D'Angelo Russell are good pieces to build around.

3. Boston Celtics (via Brooklyn Nets)- Kris Dunn, Point Guard, Providence: This projected pick is taking into consideration that there's a good chance that the pick gets moved. If not, Marquese Chriss or Dragan Bender are both upside picks that Boston could decide upon. Dunn would give them an additional point guard to platoon with Isaiah Thomas, Avery Bradley and Marcus Smart.

4. Phoenix Suns- Marquese Chriss, Power Forward, Washington: Like Boston, Phoenix also has multiple first-round picks, and may consider a deal here for the right player, but if not, getting a power forward who can stretch the floor could be a priority. Chriss is still somewhat raw skill-wise, and he doesn’t quite understand the game yet, but he is a high-level athlete who can run the floor, block shots, and knock down jumpers. He could turn into a good starter down the road.

5. Minnesota Timberwolves- Buddy Hield, Shooting Guard, Oklahoma: Minnesota coach Tom Thibodeau accurately believes the Timberwolves are ready to break through and make the NBA Playoffs soon. So drafting someone who can contribute immediately makes sense, and Hield is undeniably ready to play as a rookie. The reigning CBS Sports National Player of the Year is probably the best shooter in this draft, meaning he'd be a great addition to a Minnesota team that ranked 25th in 3-point shooting this season while finishing 29-53.

6. New Orleans Pelicans- Jamal Murray, Point Guard/Shooting Guard, Kentucky: The Pelicans would probably prefer to see Dunn available here, but Murray is a very solid kid with a high floor. There is some optimism that he can develop into a point guard, which he played in high school. But his lack of speed, which makes the CJ McCollum comparisons far-fetched, likely limits him to being a shooting guard. He is a bit longer than some reports have stated as he measured at 8'4.5" in his first year and then a 8'2.5" standing reach in his second year at the Hoop Summit, which is probably more accurate than the 8'1" he measured at the Kentucky Combine.

7. Denver Nuggets (via New York Knicks)- Dragan Bender, Power Forward/Center, Croatia: The Nuggets seem to be Bender's backstop as there's speculation he could go 3 or 4, but more and more chatter has him falling to 7, where Denver, who has a heavy International focus would likely gobble 
him up. Bender had a rough season, and needs time before he can begin to realize his talent.

8. Sacramento Kings- Jalen Brown, Small Forward, California: Brown is another player who could go anywhere from third to eighth, but almost certainly no lower than here. He's a top-shelf athlete. But he's the one guy in this range that everybody seems intrigued by but few love. Why didn't he close more strongly at Cal? Is he coachable or a young guy who thinks he already has all the answers? These are questions scouts are asking, I'm told. But, at some point in the top 10, somebody will take Brown simply because he's a big wing who can play the four in a small-ball lineup, and big wings who can play the four in small-ball lineups are more valuable than ever in the NBA.

9. Toronto Raptors (via Denver Nuggets)- Domontas Sabonis, Power Forward/Center, Gonzaga: Masai Ujiri is not afraid of taking players based on long-term potential (Hello, Bruno Caboclo!) but with a playoff-hardened team that also happens to have a yawning gap at power forward, drafting for need — the need being a relatively immediate solution to play the four alongside Jonas Valancuinas — I see the Raps using the No. 9 pick to take player who can make a contribution sooner than later. Domantas Sabonis has the motor and IQ that will make him a good fit in the Raptors’ emerging culture, and his promise as a perimeter threat provides hope of him fitting alongside Valanciunas. And the more Lithuanians, the better.

10. Milwaukee Bucks- Jakob Poeltl, Power Forward/Center, Utah: The Bucks would like to see Ellenson fall, which would allow them to draft a potential stretch-four who played college ball in Milwaukee. But if he's off the board, Poeltl is a good fit. He's a big who plays big -- proof being that 94 percent of his buckets this past season came around the rim. The 7-foot-1 center would help Milwaukee shore up an interior defense by adding a rim protector who is a better-than-most-realize athlete.

11. Orlando Magic- Skal Labissiere, Power Forward/Center, Kentucky: Despite Labissiere's disappointing freshman season at Kentucky, his two skill sets – shot blocking and perimeter shooting – would be a nice fit next to Nikola Vucevic, even if he might be a bit risky.

12. Atlanta Hawks (via Utah Jazz)- Henry Ellenson, Power Forward/Center, Marquette: With trading Jeff Teague away earlier today, the Hawks received this pick from the Jazz as the Pacers gave up George Hill to get Teague. Incase Atlanta loses Al Horford in free agency, I would take a chance with Ellenson, who has some upside.

13. Phoenix Suns (via Washington Wizards)- Dejounte Murray, Guard, Washington: If the Suns are going for balance with their first two picks, they look for backcourt help. Even with roster strength at guard, they can develop a backup point guard and tap early into the immense potential of a long, explosive guard with hunger and confidence.

14. Chicago Bulls- Deyonta Davis, Power Forward, Michigan State: Davis didn't work out for any teams outside the top 10, so there's a chance he goes 9 or 10. But if he slides some the Bulls could see value in his upside and take him here.

15. Denver Nuggets (via Houston Rockets)- Furkan Korkmaz, Shooting Guard, Turkey: Korkmaz is a terrific shooter with ideal size for his position, and the fact that he decided to remain in the NBA Draft suggests he has a promise somewhere in the top 20. For a team that needs depth everywhere and shooting -- the Nuggets tied for 25th in 3-point shooting this regular season -- Korkmaz is a smart option.

16. Boston Celtics (via Dallas Mavericks)- Timothe Luwawu, Shooting Guard, France: Luwawu made his big move last year playing in his native France, then built on that in 2015-16 against tougher competition with a varied offensive game of scoring and passing. His size would be an asset in the backcourt, with enough athleticism that he won't be a liability on defense against smaller, quicker shooting guards. With little experience before this season other than the lesser French leagues, not even as part of the national teams at a junior level, he has had to ease concerns about the jump in competition.

17. Memphis Grizzlies- Wade Baldwin IV, Point Guard, Vanderbilt: Mike Conley potentially bolting in free agency, the Grizzlies will probably be looking for a point guard at their pick. While we view him as a bit of a reach here, he would offer a solid upside player at a position of need.

18. Detroit Pistons- Denzel Valentine, Shooting Guard/Small Forward, Michigan State: Valentine reportedly has a "fairly significant knee issue" that is causing concern with some teams, and, I'm told, it could cost him on draft night. At some point, somebody will be weigh the risk vs. the reward and snag the former Michigan State star. But, at this point, it's hard to pin things down -- although the Pistons pulling the trigger and adding a local player who can help immediately would hardly be surprising.

19. Denver Nuggets (via Portland Trail Blazers)- Ante Zizic, Center, Croatia: The Nuggets have three of the first 19 picks. So taking strong international prospects who can theoretically stay overseas is an obvious option, and Zizic checks those boxes. The 19 year old is a great rebounder with a terrific motor and good size. He could easily develop into a starting center in the NBA.

20. Indiana Pacers- Malachi Richardson, Shooting Guard, Syracuse: Richardson has a green room invite and could end up going higher. He's been very solid in workouts shooting the ball and could offer a replacement for Monta Ellis down the road.

21. Atlanta Hawks- Taurean Prince, Small Forward, Baylor: Prince is a 6-8 wing who has the athleticism and wingspan to guard his position, and even multiple positions, at the NBA level. I know some teams in the teens really like him -- most notably the Grizzlies. So there's no guarantee Prince will be available at 21. But, if he is, the Hawks would be wise to snatch him up.

22. Charlotte Hornets- Malik Beasley, Shooting Guard, Florida State: Improved perimeter shooting is a big part of Charlotte’s recent success, but Nic Batum and Courtney Lee both upcoming free agents, they could look to replenish some of their perimeter depth with younger, cheaper options. Beasley shot 38.7% from three-point range as a freshman for Florida State.

23. Boston Celtics- Ivica Zubac, Center, Croatia: Again, the Celtics have three first-round picks. So draft-and-stash prospects will be possible targets at both 16 and 23. And Zubac is a terrific candidate for such given that he's only 19 years old and maybe willing to stay in Serbia for another year.

24. Philadelphia 76ers (from Miami Heat via Cleveland Cavaliers)- DeAndre' Bembry, Shooting Guard/Small Forward, Saint Joseph's: Bembry's ability to guard multiple positions at the NBA level should prove useful, and the way he sees the floor and passes could allow him to, at times, play the role of point-forward. All of this is stuff Philadelphia's front office should know well considering Bembry played college basketball down the street at St. Joe's.

25. Los Angeles Clippers- Brice Johnson, Power Forward, North Carolina: Johnson is a guy who probably ends up in the 20s and is a great value here. While he's a senior, he's one of the draft's premiere athletes, which would fit right into the Clippers' frontcourt. Unfortunately he has not had strong workout reports, showing a lack of maturity at times.

26. Philadelphia 76ers (from Oklahoma City Thunder via Cleveland Cavaliers/Denver Nuggets)- Demeatrius Jackson, Point Guard, Notre Dame: Jackson could become more of a vocal leader, but for a team searching for an identity, adding a traditional point guard to go along with the 6-foot-10 one they're likely to grab at No. 1 would fill a pressing need for them.

27. Toronto Raptors- Thon Maker, Power Forward/Center, Australia: Toronto likes length and athleticism and with International GM Masai Ujiri, Thon has both the African and Canadian connection. Maker could end up going higher, but his lack of experience and readiness might limit his draft ceiling. If Thon can add good weight and his legs hold up, he could end up being a steal at the end of the first round.

28. Phoenix Suns (from Cleveland Cavaliers via Boston Celtics)- Juan Hernangomez, Power Forward, Spain: This is Phoenix’s third pick in the first round, and I would expect them to take a player they can leave overseas for a bit longer. Hernangomez is a skilled power forward, with the ability to step away from the rim a bit, and he has played a good amount of minutes overseas already. He could be ready to come over in a year or two at the rate he is developing.

29. San Antonio Spurs- Cheick Diallo, Center, Kansas: Diallo measured and tested well at the combine -- then played well in the five-on-five games. He was active. He rebounded. He guarded. Simply put, the 6-9 forward genuinely helped himself by reminding scouts why he was once a projected lottery pick. And now it looks like that subpar season at Kansas won't cost Diallo too much money. He'd be a great fit with San Antonio, which needs an athletic big.

30. Golden State Warriors- Diamond Stone, Center, Maryland: Stone has not helped himself in interviews, I'm told. And there are background issues that concern some franchises. Still, he's just so much more talented than most other prospects in this range. And that's why the Warriors might be willing to take a swing late in the first and hope the talent develops, and the other concerns disappear, with time.