2016 NBA Mock Draft: Final Edition

Here is my final 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. Reports say that the Lakers will take Ingram as long as if the Sixers take Simmons and barring a blockbuster trade offer.

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. There are reports saying Dunn is the favorite to go here if Boston doesn't trade the pick.

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 Sabonis 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)- Deyonta Davis, Power Forward, Michigan State: 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. The Al Horford era in Atlanta might soon be over. Enter Davis, who’s very raw. But where the big man excels? Rebounding and shot-blocking.

13. Phoenix Suns (via Washington Wizards)- Dejounte Murray, Point 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- Wade Baldwin IV, Point Guard, Vanderbilt: Derrick Rose is now a Knick — moment of silence for his time in Chicago. Tough shoes to fill at PG but next in line is an overall solid Baldwin.

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)- Henry Ellenson, Power Forward/Center, Marquette: Boston could use another big man to pair with Kelly Olynyk and Jared Sullinger. This pick is also in play for a trade.

17. Memphis Grizzlies- Malachi Richardson, Shooting Guard, Syracuse: Pomp and circumstance. A monster freshman year has Richardson out of school and in the draft. A nice athletic piece for the veteran Grizz.

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. Brooklyn Nets (via Indiana Pacers)- Timothe Luwawu, Shooting Guard, France: Reports are that Indiana traded this pick for Thad Young. 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.

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: 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- Thon Maker, Power Forward/Center, Australia: He had been considered a bubble pick for the first round, but teams are simply too intrigued by the possibilities, even if the subject of great hype for years remains a project who will probably need at least a season and maybe two before he makes any significant NBA impact. The worry among some front offices is that Maker will last until late enough in the first round to be chosen by a good team that does not need an immediate contribution and can wait for him to develop, potentially into a big payoff in a few years. He especially makes sense for a team spending its third pick of the first round, if the Celtics don't make a trade.

24. Philadelphia 76ers (from Miami Heat via Cleveland Cavaliers)- 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.

25. Los Angeles Clippers- DeAndre' Bembry, Shooting Guard/Small Forward, Saint Joseph's: Bembry would be the kind of wing that would really help a team that's contending early in his career. He's tough, he's smart, he competes, and he plays well within an offensive scheme. He needs to do a lot still in terms of proving himself as a shooter, but Bembry could easily become an excellent fit in between J.J. Redick and Blake Griffin if the team decides to not make any moves this offseason in terms of its core.

26. Philadelphia 76ers (from Oklahoma City Thunder via Cleveland Cavaliers/Denver Nuggets)- Ivica Zubac, Center, Croatia: The run of Draft-and-stash players begins with the perfect candidate and a team picking for the third time in the opening round. Zubac has an opportunity to become a solid player on both ends, with a good chance he would stay in Europe at least one more season to continue to develop. He is only 19, yet already has good size along with excellent mobility and good hands that will allow him to play in transition.

27. Toronto Raptors- Cheick Diallo, Center, Kansas: The Mali native who attended high school in New York state had a very choppy freshman season at Kansas, from missing two exhibitions and five games as the NCAA sorted through eligibility issues to undependable play once he was cleared. There were stretches when just staying on the court was a challenge, and he averaged 7.5 minutes. But athleticism, size and potential on defense makes him a very intriguing prospect. While it would not be a surprise if he dropped out of the first round, some team will be lured by the physical tools to invest intensive coaching and a lot of NBA D-League time -- a team making its third pick, for example.

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- Brice Johnson, Power Forward, North Carolina: He coasts with frustrating regularity, enough to become the difference between first-round talent and second-round reality. Johnson has good scoring instincts, the experience of four seasons on Tobacco Road and good size at power forward along with the leaping ability that won two high school state high-jump championships in South Carolina.

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.