The 2016 NBA Draft isn't expected to be full of a lot of future stars, but there are still plenty of intriguing prospects capable of making big impacts at the next level. LSU's Ben Simmons and Duke's Brandon Ingram will undoubtedly be the top two picks in the draft, yet how the rest of the draft plays out is still very much a mystery.
The final draft order will be determined at Tuesday's draft lottery. Here's how we see the draft playing out given each team's current positioning:
1) Philadelphia 76ers - Brandon Ingram, SF, Duke Blue Devils
6'9", 190 lbs - 17.3 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 1.5 spg
Ingram has been inconsistent this year for the Blue Devils, but found his stride late in the season. A long, lanky win, Ingram's elite athleticism, coupled with a good jumper, allow him to have a lot of success offensively. He does need to add strength and become more aggressive, but he's oozing with potential. His ability to play shooting guard or small forward would also make him very valuable for Philly.
2) Los Angeles Lakers - Ben Simmons, Fr., SF/PG, LSU Tigers
6'10", 240 lbs - 19.2 ppg, 11.9 rpg, 4.8 apg
I know I have Ingram going first, but that's all about need for Philly. Simmons is the best prospect in this draft and is going to be a franchise centerpiece and perennial All-Star in the NBA. His ball-handing and passing ability are matched by only a few big men at the NBA level, and he's proven to be a capable defensive player both on the perimeter and in the post. His jumper does need work (a LOT of work), but he has excellent touch on his floater and is the best finisher around the rim in this class.
3) Boston Celtics (via Brooklyn Nets) - Jamal Murray, Fr., SG/PG, Kentucky Wildcats
6'5", 207 lbs - 20.0 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 2.0 apg
Murray is the athletic, smart, sharp-shooting wing player that this Celtics team so desperately needs. This pick will likely come down to Murray and Buddy Hield, but Boston will give the nod to Murray because of his age, potential and ability to play three positions.
4) Phoenix Suns - Dragan Bender, PF, Maccabi Tel Aviv (International)
7'1", 216 lbs - 4.4 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 0.6 apg
There's a lot of unknown surrounding Bender, but he would've been a top 10/15 pick if he would've entered the draft last year. He needs to add weight, but his long-range shooting ability, passing, and potential as a rim protector has scouts drooling. Phoenix could use him as a stretch-four next to Tyson Chandler.
5) Minnesota Timberwolves - Jaylen Brown, Fr., SF, Cal Golden Bears
6'7", 225 lbs - 14.6 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 2.0 apg
Brown didn't deliver on his hype in college, but he has all of the physical tools. His jumper needs work, but his strength, athleticism, and finishing ability will translate better to the NBA game.
6) New Orleans Pelicans - Buddy Hield, Sr., SG, Oklahoma Sooners
6'4", 214 lbs - 25.0 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 2.0 apg
Hield won't turn into a dominant all-around player like he was in college, but could very well turn into an All-Star because of his shot-making ability. He will give the Pelicans the outside threat they need to take pressure off of Anthony Davis, and will be a high impact player right away.
7) Denver Nuggets - Jakob Poeltl, So., C, Utah Utes
7'0", 235 lbs - 17.7 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 1.6 bpg
Poeltl is one of the most sure-bet players in this draft. He's a big shot-blocker with an expanding offensive game, but he doesn't try to do anything outside of what he's capable of. He'll be the rim protector Denver really needs.
8) Sacramento Kings - Henry Ellenson, Fr., PF, Marquette Golden Eagles
6'10", 245 lbs - 17.0 ppg, 9.9 rpg, 1.8 apg
Ellenson might be the best player you've never heard of. A true stretch-four, Ellenson does need to get stronger, but has an NBA-ready pick-and-pop game - making him a good fit next to DeMarcus Cousins.
9) Toronto Raptors (via New York Knicks) - Skal Labissiere, Fr., PF/C, Kentucky Wildcats
6'11", 225 lbs - 6.6 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 1.6 bpg
Make no bones about it - Labissiere had a very, very bad year in his lone season with Kentucky. He's not good defensively and is extremely soft down low. That being said, he is already a polished offensive player that clearly shows a lot of potential. Toronto has time to wait for him to develop with how good their roster already is, especially with this being a weak draft class.
10) Milwaukee Bucks - Kris Dunn, Jr., PG, Providence Friars
6'4", 220 lbs - 16.4 ppg, 6.4 apg, 5.3 rpg
Dunn is easily the best point guard prospect in this draft and, like Simmons, can do everything on the court. This is his floor on draft night, and Milwaukee would be absolutely ecstatic if they got him. Equally good at setting his teammates up as he is at creating shots for himself, Dunn is also the best perimeter defender in this class. He might also be the most NBA-ready prospect.
11) Orlando Magic - Deyonta Davis, Fr., PF/C, Michigan State Spartans
6'10", 230 lbs - 7.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 1.8 bpg
With the lack of star power in this draft, why not swing for a guy who could develop into one? He's an elite athlete and shot-blocker (something the Magic need), but still needs to develop offensively.
12) Utah Jazz - Marquese Chriss, Fr., PF, Washington Huskies
6'9", 225 lbs - 13.8 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 1.6 bpg
Potential, potential, potential. Chriss is an athletic freak and one of the best shot blockers in this class, but the rest of his game is still extremely raw.
13) Phoenix Suns (via Washington Wizards) - Timothe Luwawu, SG/SF, Mega Leks (International)
6'7", 205 lbs - 14.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.8 apg
Luwawu's 7'2" wingspan is the major selling point, but he's also a reliable shooter and improving slasher to go along with his defensive upside.
14) Chicago Bulls - Demetrius Jackson, Jr., PG, Notre Dame Fighting Irish
6'1", 198 lbs - 15.8 ppg, 4.7 apg, 3.5 rpg
Jackson is a surprisingly explosive athlete with a knockdown jumper and extensive range, yet it's his leadership and defensive ability that were on full display during Notre Dame's Cinderella run to the Elite 8. He'll step in and immediately be a quality backup behind Derrick Rose.
15) Denver Nuggets (via Houston Rockets) - Furkan Korkmaz, SG, Anadolu Efes (International)
6'7", 185 lbs - 4.6 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 0.6 apg
Korkmaz is a reliable shooter, though his all-around game is still developing as he grows into his body. Developing strength is a must, but Denver needs shooting.
16) Boston Celtics (via Dallas Mavericks) - Denzel Valentine, Sr., SG/PG, Michigan State Spartans
6'5", 220 lbs - 19.2 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 7.8 apg
There would be no better place for Valentine to end up than Boston. The Celtics need to find depth on the wing, and Valentine could provide it while providing a myriad of skills off the bench. His playmaking ability would also be a huge addition, and would step in and be a cheaper, better version of Evan Turner..
17) Memphis Grizzlies - Domantas Sabonis, So., PF, Gonzaga Bulldogs
6'10", 231 lbs - 17.5 ppg, 11.8 rpg, 1.8 apg
Memphis needs to start looking for a replacement for Zach Randolph, and Sabonis will fill that role immediately. He has perhaps the most polished offensive post game in the draft along with being an excellent rebounder.
18) Detroit Pistons - Ante Zizic, C, Croatia
6'11", 240 lbs - 14.7 ppg, 9.0 rpg
Zizic is though of as the third best international prospect in the draft because of his athleticism at his size along with excellent rebounding skill. Already has an NBA body.
19) Denver Nuggets (via Portland Trail Blazers) - Wayne Baldwin Jr., So, PG, Vanderbilt Commodores
6'3", 194 lbs - 14.1 ppg, 5.2 apg, 4.0 rpg
He has elite NBA size and a 6'10" wingspan, Baldwin has the potential to become a defensive nightmare for opponents in the NBA. He also has a deadly combination of athleticism and three-point shooting ability. However, he often fades out of games due to a lack of aggression.
20) Indiana Pacers - Tyler Ulis, So., PG, Kentucky Wildcats
5'9", 160 lbs - 17.3 ppg, 7.0 apg, 3.0 rpg
Ulis would easily be a top three pick if he was just three inches taller. He's a premier playmaker who excels at putting his teammates in position to be successful. Ulis is also an excellent defender despite his size limitations and is great at creating shots for himself.
21) Atlanta Hawks - Stephen Zimmerman, Fr., C, UNLV Runnin' Rebels
7'0", 240 lbs - 10.3 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 0.8 apg
Zimmerman is an extremely high-upside player as a seven-footer with three-point range, though he needs to become more consistent and aggressive. It's high-risk, high-reward selection would make sense for a team that likes big men who can shoot.
22) Charlotte Hornets - Thon Maker, HS Sr., PF/SF
7'0", 219 lbs
Maker is the most intriguing prospect in the draft. He was declared eligible for the NBA Draft after spending an extra year at prep school, allowing him to bypass college. Along with his elite size, Maker has guard-like athleticism, ball-handling and shooting skills, but is still extremely raw. Charlotte needs more athleticism and playmakers on the wing, and Maker is that guy - with the potential to develop into a superstar.
23) Boston Celtics - Diamond Stone, Fr., C, Maryland Terrapins
6'11", 255 lbs - 12.4 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 1.6 bpg
A true center, Stone can be a dominant offensive player and reliable rim protector - he just doesn't have the endurance yet to do it all the time. This would be a great value pick for the Celtics, who don't have a legitimate post threat.
24) Philadelphia 76ers (via Miami Heat) - Malik Beasley, Fr., SG, Florida State Seminoles
6'4", 185 lbs - 15.6 ppg, 5.3 apg, 1.5 rpg
Shooter! Beasley could step right in and give the Sixers the dynamic, athletic shooter they've been looking for. The rest of his game is still raw, but he has the potential to become a very good player.
25) Los Angeles Clippers - Cheick Diallo, Fr., PF/C, Kansas Jayhawks
6'9", 220 lbs - 3.0 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 0.9 bpg
Diallo was projected to be a top 10 pick before the season started, but a lengthy NCAA investigation into his eligibility and then inability to crack Bill Self's rotation made his freshman season a forgettable one. However, the potential for stardom is there, and the Clippers could swing for the fences.
26) Philadelphia 76ers (via Oklahoma City Thunder) - Caris LeVert, Sr., PG/SG, Michigan Wolverines
6'7", 205 lbs - 16.4 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 4.9 apg
LeVert has been extremely productive during his time at Michigan, but his limited athleticism and slim frame raise questions as to how well his style of play will translate to the NBA.
27) Toronto Raptors - Damian Jones, Jr., PF/C, Vanderbilt Commodores
7'0", 245 lbs - 13.9 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 1.2 apg
A true post player, Jones is still developing, but he has the size and all of the tools to be reliable defender and good secondary scoring option in the NBA.
28) Phoenix Suns (via Cleveland Cavaliers) - Zhou Qi, C, Xinjiang (International)
7'2", 209 lbs - 15.8 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 1.5 apg
Qi desperately needs to add strength before coming to the NBA, but his size and solid offensive game is enough to have some scouts raving about his potential.
29) San Antonio Spurs - Malcolm Brogdon, Sr., SG, Virginia Cavaliers
6'5", 215 lbs - 18.2 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 3.1 apg
Brogdon is the most Spurs-like prospect since Kawhi Leonard. That's not to say Brogdon has that kind of potential, but his elite basketball IQ and defensive ability, combined with an expansive offensive skill set, make him the perfect fit in San Antonio.
30) Golden State Warriors - Taurean Prince, Sr., SF, Baylor Bears
6'7", 220 lbs - 16.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 2.3 apg
Prince's ceiling is as a high-energy bench guy because of his limited offensive game, but this athleticism will get him on a NBA roster.
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