Updated NBA Mock Draft 2016, version 3.0, with the lottery order set and the Lakers sitting at No. 2
The 2016 NBA Draft Lottery has finally been set and fans of the Los Angeles Lakers can now breathe a hefty sigh of relief. Not only were the Lakers able to retain their pick, but they were also able to stay at the No. 2 spot. Considering that this is viewed by many as a “two-player draft,” it stands to reason that the Lakers are quite fortunate as they’ll be getting one of those two players.
What’s interesting about how the lottery played out, of course, is that the entire lottery played out according to the standings. Sure, there were trades that mixed things up—but everything ultimately went down as expected. That doesn’t mean things haven’t been shaken up in the latest NBA Mock Draft, though.
With the NBA Draft Combine taking place in the days leading up to the lottery, we now have exact measurements of both size and athleticism of many of the players eligible for the draft. Moreover, the reports from the drills and scrimmages have affected the stocks of several players both in the lottery and later.
As such, things are a bit different as we look at version 3.0 of the 2016 NBA Mock Draft. Nonetheless, let’s dive right in and see if anything has changed with the Lakers and what else is going on in this latest NBA Mock Draft now that the Lakers for sure have the No. 2 pick to do whatever they please with.
Next: No. 1 76ers
Height: 6-10
Weight: 240 pounds
Wingspan: 7-0.25
DOB: 7/20/96
With the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft (and this NBA mock draft), the Philadelphia 76ers face a bit of a conundrum. Not only do they have to consider the fact that Brandon Ingram has caught up to Ben Simmons and dethroned him from being the consensus No. 1 pick in this draft, but most of their recent lottery picks are also in the frontcourt, a space Simmons occupies. Even still, they still have to take the LSU Tigers freshman in my book.
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For however talented Ingram is, Simmons is still ahead of him in terms of talent, upside, and value to an organization that’s in the position that the Sixers are. In his lone season and while playing for a team that was lackluster (not entirely to the fault of Simmons, either), the Australian product put up 19.2 points, 11.9 rebounds, 4.8 assists, two steals, and 0.8 blocks per game while shooting 56 percent from the floor. 6-10 players with his length and athleticism that can produce in so many facets of the game aren’t common—in fact they’re exceptionally rare.
Despite how talented I think Ingram is, the Sixers are foolish if they keep the No. 1 pick and don’t take Simmons. He’s far and away the best prospect in this draft and is going to be a star in the NBA. As Philly tries to climb out of the quagmire at the bottom of the standings, Simmons is the first true step in doing so.
Next: No. 2 Lakers
Height: 6-9
Weight: 196 pounds
Wingspan: 7-3
DOB: 09/02/97
Perhaps it’s a bit of wishful thinking, but with Simmons going No. 1 overall to the Sixers, that leaves Brandon Ingram of the Duke Blue Devils to come to the Los Angeles Lakers. Not only does Ingram provide the Lakers a fantastic player with great upside at a position of need moving forward, but Ingram is also getting buzz from many places as the best player in this draft.
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Just looking at what he can do and what he brings to the table physically, Ingram is definitely the modern idea of what a wing in the NBA should look like. He’s ridiculously long for the small forward position with a 7-3 wingspan (measured at the 2015 Nike Hoop Summit), but also has the ability to both score from the perimeter and handle the ball to get into the paint and score as well. Moreover, his length allows him to be a massive pest and force on the defensive end of the floor.
For the Lakers, Ingram is the exact type of player that could bring the young core already in place together. Yes, he needs to keep eating 5,000 calories a day to bulk up and he’s not a perfect player as he is. However, he could thrive under Luke Walton and could ultimately take the Lakers another step towards relevance and even prominence.
Next: No. 3 Celtics
Height: 6-4.25
Weight: 205 pounds
Wingspan: 6-9.5
DOB: 03/18/94
As far as basketball crushes go, Kris Dunn has had me feeling like the nerdy girl in every 90s teen romantic comedy whenever the jock walks into the classroom for quite some time now. Dunn could have left the Providence Friars last year after his sophomore campaign, but wanted to go back and further build on his game and he did that undeniably.
During his junior year with the Friars, Dunn tore it up as he averaged 16.4 points, 6.2 assists, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.5 steals per game. Moreover, he also shot a respectable 44.8 percent from the floor and 37.2 percent from long range on the year. Coming into this draft, there’s no point guard even close to having the versatility, playmaking, two-way ability, and upside that Dunn does going into the NBA. He has every bit the look of a player that could contribute to most teams in the league in some way immediately.
The Celtics are faced with an interesting decision at No. 3 and, when it comes down to it, I think they might be trading it to try and get a proven star. However, I still think Dunn is the third best player in this draft and that Boston is in the position to take best available if they keep the selection.
Next: No. 4 Suns
Height: 7-1
Weight: 225 pounds
Wingspan: 7-2
DOB: 11/17/97
The youngest prospect in the entirety of the 2016 NBA Draft and also the top international prospect, Dragan Bender could be something special of the Kristaps Porzingis variety. While there’s equally the risk that he’s going to be a bust that resulted from the hype from the Knicks big man drafted at No. 4 in 2016, Bender at the very least has a massive amount of potential at just 18 years old.
Obviously the size sticks out as a legitimate seven-footer at his age and with a wingspan that isn’t unreal, but isn’t anything to scoff at either. And while he hasn’t played much for Maccabi Tel Aviv overseas throughout his time with the team, what the big Croatian has shown as he’s come up in European basketball and international play is that he has tremendous versatility and skill for a player his size. While he needs to put on muscle to succeed in the NBA down low, he has the skill to score there along with the ability to step out and score from the perimeter. His size lends itself to defensive potential also.
Bender is a risk without question, but the Suns have to take a risk if they’re going to improve in any significant way. I’d love to see Bender alongside someone like Tyson Chandler or Alex Len and how that would allow him to open up, grow, and adapt moving forward.
Next: No. 5 Timberwolves
Height: 6-5
Weight: 212 pounds
Wingspan: 6-9.25
DOB: 12/17/93
There’s this guy that played basketball for four years for the Oklahoma Sooners that you may have heard of by now. He was a guy that seemingly no one in all of college hoops knew how to completely stop and that absolutely took the world by storm in the process. I’m of course talking about Buddy Hield and I have him closing out the top-5 and going to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Starting with Hield’s just ridiculous production in his senior year with the Sooners, his statistical output was remarkable. The Bahamian guard averaged 25 points, 5.7 rebounds, two assists, and 1.1 steals per game. He wasn’t just out here throwing up trash shots, though. Instead, Hield shot 50.1 percent overall for the year and hit on an insane 45.7 percent of his threes. If nothing else, Buddy can fill it up offensively—but he also has at least passable defensive ability and an underrated sense for making plays outside of scoring.
For a team like the Wolves, they need a scorer in a bad way, but one that can play both ways and not be just another Kevin Martin. That seems like a space that Buddy could occupy immediately and I love this spot for him.
Next: No. 6 Pelicans
Height: 6-5
Weight: 201
Wingspan: 6-6.5
DOB: 02/23/97
As we get closer and closer to draft time, I’ve been hearing a lot of people start to sour on Kentucky Wildcats star Jamal Murray. After his one season in the college ranks and in the months since, there have been quite a few people that have begun supporting the thesis that the Canadian guard is overrated. Let me say that I do not find myself in this camp at all.
While Murray is definitely a combo-guard that neither fully occupies the space of a point guard or shooting guard, what he is at his core is a smooth, athletic guard that knows how to put the ball in the cup. Playing 35.2 minutes per game in his one year under John Calipari, Murray averaged 20 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and one steal per game while shooting 45.4 percent from the floor and 40.8 percent from three. He certainly had off nights throughout his freshman year, but moments of brilliance almost always followed.
Thinking about a Pelicans team that badly needs to start retooling and restructuring their roster as soon as possible, a dynamic playmaker with even more potential like Murray could be a fantastic addition. I’d love to see him work in that system and really start to get New Orleans on a positive trajectory.
Next: No. 7 Nuggets
Height: 6-6.75
Weight: 223 pounds
Wingspan: 6-11.75
DOB: 10/24/96
In terms of just talent alone and the upside of many of these prospects, Jaylen Brown should probably be a top-5 pick. However, based on how he would fit with the teams picking outside of the top-3 or 4, I think he might be the Justise Winslow of sorts in this years draft where he falls down in the lottery a bit lower than some people might expect. That’s certainly good news for the Nuggets in this NBA mock draft, though.
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For his one season with the Cal Golden Bears, Brown was quite productive in the minutes that he played and showed a ton of flashes of brilliance. In his 34 appearances, he put up 14.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, two assists, and 0.8 steals in 27.6 minutes per game. He hit on 48.2 percent of his two-point field goal attempts, but only 29.4 percent of his shots from deep. That being said, he’s an athletic wing with a ton of range and that can do a lot well.
When you look at a team like the Nuggets and all of their picks, they just have to add talent right now and a player like Brown would certainly be doing that.
Next: No. 8 Kings
Height: 7-1
Weight: 239 pounds
Wingspan: 7-2.75
DOB: 10/15/95
Considering that he could’ve left after just one season with the Utah Utes, it’s not surprising that center Jakob Poeltl is now bound for the NBA and being looked at as a near lock for a lottery pick. The legitimate seven-footer had a tremendous career playing in the post for the Utes in the Pac-12 and has the skill as a big man to potentially be a force on the interior at the next level.
Obviously the size of Poeltl jumps off the page as he’s 7-1 with shoes on by the combine measurements. Though his length isn’t staggering to go along with that in terms of wingspan, that size alone is impressive. When you also couple that size with the skill that allowed him to average 17.3 points, 9.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.5 blocks per game as a sophomore last year, it’s not hard to see why Poeltl would be in consideration at No. 8.
As far as the Sacramento Kings go, I don’t think anyone can say with any kind of confidence what that organization has planned for this offseason. However, I think they may move on from DeMarcus Cousins and doing so would almost surely leave them with Poeltl or another big in the lottery.
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Height: 6-11.5
Weight: 242 pounds
Wingspan: 7-2.25
DOB: 01/13/97
Because of where he was playing and the overall lack of success of the team that he was a part of, you might not have heard many people talk about Henry Ellenson over the college basketball season. However, if you were in tune with the Marquette Golden Eagles or the Big East, you’d know that this kid absolute tore it up in his freshman season and is an interesting prospect for the modern NBA.
Ellenson has legit size as a power forward as he measured just under 7-0 and has a solid wingspan and length to go with it. He has a strong frame, though he might need to cut down his body fat slightly moving into the NBA. That being said, the 19-year-old put up 17 points, 9.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.5 blocks per game for the Golden Eagles last season. The big issue was him shooting only 44.6 percent from the floor and only 28.8 percent on his 3.2 threes per game while also not being that athletic.
Even still, the big man has a nice stroke and could be molded into a player that can stretch the floor, but also get buckets and boards on the interior. I love him for a team like the Raptors that not only needs depth at the four, but could also help him grow properly moving forward.
Next: No. 10 Bucks
Height: 6-11.75
Weight: 216 pounds
Wingspan: 7-2.5
DOB: 03/18/96
Not to be negative right off of the bat, but if Skal Labissiere goes into the wrong situation in the 2016 NBA Draft, things are going to go quite poorly for him at the pro level. Yes, he has a ton of things that you have to like about his game, his frame, and everything in between. That being said, I think that the Milwaukee Bucks could be that right situation for the young big man out of Kentucky.
Coming into his freshman season for the Wildcats, Labissiere was thought to potentially be the best NBA prospect in all of college hoops. However, he showed almost immediately that he wasn’t ready for that in any way, getting bullied by bigger frontcourt players and not having as much skill as advertised. That said, he improved noticeably as the year went on and showed that he’s a big man with range to step out and score and length to make plays on both ends of the floor.
However, the Bucks make sense because Skal needs to be developed and needs to be putting on weight. As such, they can put him behind their already thick frontcourt and let him develop until he’s ready to go and contribute. It’s a good fit where he can go pro, but still get the tutelage he needs.
Next: No. 11 Magic
Height: 6-10.5
Weight: 237 pounds
Wingspan: 7-2.5
DOB: 12/02/96
There’s always a risk when you’re talking about high-upside big men in the NBA Draft and (at least in this NBA mock draft) there are a plethora of them near the back-half of the lottery. One of the most intriguing, though, because of the production he showed in the scarce time that he was on the floor is 19-year-old Deyonta Davis out of Michigan State.
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Starting with his production, Davis put up 7.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game in only 18.6 minutes per game as a freshman for the Spartans. Though he played less than half the game on average for his team, the big man knew how to get it done offensively, on the glass, and as a shot blocker using his obvious length. However, there are questions about his overall skill level, just what his ceiling is, and how likely it is that he makes it to whatever his ceiling is.
That being said, he’s too talented and too unique of a talent to slip past a certain point for a team that needs a big man. So when you look at team full of young pieces like the Magic that could use another big man in the rotation with Nikola Vucevic, Davis could ultimately make it happen if Orlando selects him.
Next: No. 12 Jazz
Height: 6-7
Weight: 205 pounds
DOB: 05/09/95
Timothe Luwawu is one of the players that catches your eye for a lot of reasons when you think about his potential in the NBA. Not only does he have the size and athleticism on the wing that can easily turn heads, but he’s also a young player that’s been doing more than just sitting on the bench of a professional team in Europe. He’s been seeing the floor and showing real flashes as a guy who just turned 21 years old.
As part of a talented Mega Leks team in the Adriatic League last season, Luwawu played 31.1 minutes per game and put up 14.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.7 steals per game. While his overall efficiency as an offensive player shooting a meager 39.8 percent from the floor is less than ideal, that he hit on 37.2 percent of his three-point attempts was a nice sign.
With his length, defensive potential, and the potential to be a perimeter scorer, Luwawu could really be a nice asset for a team like the Jazz. Not only do they thrive off of length and defense, but he’d also be joining a fellow Frenchman in Rudy Gobert and a team that knows how to foster prospects of his ilk.
Next: No. 13 Suns
Height: 6-10
Weight: 233 pounds
Wingspan: 7-0.25
DOB: 07/02/97
In an avenue where upside reigns supreme, one player that is slipping through the radar of some people is former Washington Huskie big man Marquese Chriss as he makes his way into the 2016 NBA Draft. Just in terms of his upside, Chriss could legitimately wind up being the best player of his draft class if everything works out ideally for him. The problem is that the variance of outcomes for the youngster is so wide that it’s hard to make that call if you’re in a front office with your job on the line essentially.
Chriss didn’t play as often as you’d expect a potential lottery pick to play at Washington in his lone season, but was wildly productive when on the floor. In 24.9 minutes per game as a freshman, Chriss put up 13.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game. He has the length, size, and everything you’d want from a modern big man in the NBA in terms of skill.
Phoenix obviously has a bevy of picks, but you’d have to expect them to largely look at the frontcourt with their early selections. Therefore, taking a player like Chriss might be in their best interest.
Next: No. 14 Bulls
Height: 6-4
Weight: 202 pounds
Wingspan: 6-11.25
DOB: 03/29/96
The more and more tape and the more workouts that former Vanderbilt Commodores guard Wade Baldwin goes through, the more I like him as an NBA prospect. With the draft now just a little more than a month away and the combine having already happened, the point guard is sitting right on the fringe of the lottery and I have him wrapping it up by going to the Chicago Bulls.
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Baldwin already has solid size for a point guard as he measured 6-4 with shoes, but what really stood out at the combine was his wingspan that was just shy of seven-feet and then a max vertical of 38 inches. When you put that alongside solid production as a sophomore for a shaky Vanderbilt team—an indictment of those around him more than anything—where he averaged 14.1 points, 5.2 assists, four boards, and 1.2 steals per game and Baldwin is looking great leading up to the draft.
Though some may have a different view, I think the Bulls should be looking to start now by backing up Derrick Rose and really grooming his replacement. Baldwin could be that guy and that’s why I have him finishing up the lottery.
Next: No. 15 Nuggets
Height: 6-5.75
Weight: 210 pounds
Wingspan: 6-10.75
DOB: 11/16/93
When it comes to accolades in college, there aren’t any players quite as decorated as former Michigan State Spartans star Denzel Valentine. The guard progressively got better throughout his career until he was an all-around stud in his senior season in East Lansing. Now that he’s heading to the NBA, though, he presents a bit of a quandary for many teams.
You can’t argue with his production in the slightest as Valentine put up 19.2 points, 7.8 assists, 7.5 rebounds and one steal in 33 minutes per game in his senior season. Even more impressive was his efficiency with marks of 46.2 percent made field goals and knocking down 44.4 percent of his threes. However, he’s already 22 years old, might be a bit lacking in terms of size at the NBA level at shooting guard. At the same time, though, he might be one of the most pro-ready prospects in this draft with his most major concern being a lack of upside at his age.
That said, I like him for a Nuggets team in need of depth at guard moving forward and simply in need of talent. Moreover, it’ll pair him with Gary Harris again and that should be an intriguing bit of camaraderie moving forward.
Next: No. 16 Celtics
Height: 6-10
Weight: 231 pounds
Wingspan 6-10.5
DOB: 05/03/96
My love affair with former Gonzaga Bulldogs big man Domantas Sabonis continues and is as strong as ever before. Though he doesn’t have tremendous height, strength, or even wingspan, he just has every bit of the makings of a player that can get it done effectively at the NBA level while playing in the frontcourt.
Leaving school after just two seasons, Sabonis put up fantastic numbers in his sophomore season for the Zags. He averaged 17.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 0.9 blocks in only 32 minutes per game. Even more promising is the fact that he hit on 60.6 percent of his field goal attempts. While he’s a decent team defender and a good overall rebounder, Sabonis’ biggest strength is the breadth of his offensive game. He has a lethal arsenal of moves in the post, but can also take defenders out to about 15 feet and knock down jumpers as well. He’s a versatile threat that fits right into the current NBA game.
When you look at a team like the Celtics and their needs in the frontcourt—especially if they don’t draft Dragan Bender—you have to think that Sabonis is a player that makes a ton of sense for them. In the end, they’d be making a mistake to not grab him.
Next: No. 17 Grizzlies
Height: 6-7
Weight: 185 pounds
DOB: 07/24/97
After Bender and Luwawu, the international prospect that really catches the eye of a lot of scouts the most is the big Turkish shooting guard, Furkan Korkmaz. Though he hasn’t seen the floor much while playing overseas for Anadolu Efes for the past two seasons, what he has shown is more than promising and has indicated to many that he has a ton of upside as an NBA player.
Korkmaz played in only 19 games in the Euroleague last season and averaged fewer than 10 minutes per game. However, he showed that he could knock down shots with tremendous proficiency from long range, something he’s done the past two years. He shot over 40 percent from deep both this past season and the year before. When you consider that, the size he has at the two-guard as he stands at a long 6-7, and the fact that he’ll still only be 18 years old at the time of the draft, that’s a highly intriguing prospect.
The Grizzlies perpetually have needed help on the wing, but are in an odd position in this draft to try and find it. As such, taking a player with the upside of Korkmaz and getting him in their system feels like the right move.
Next: No. 18 Pistons
Height: 6-1.75
Weight: 194 pounds
Wingspan: 6-5.5
DOB: 09/07/94
One player who I’ve expressed a great deal of affinity for over the course of these mocks is former Notre Dame Fighting Irish point guard Demetrius Jackson. Jackson showed throughout his three years in the college ranks that he’s more than capable of leading and/or playing at a high level, but he also seems to have the makings and mentality of a player that could set the world on fire at the next level.
In his junior year—his final season—with the Irish, Jackson put up great numbers across the board as he averaged 15.8 points, 4.7 assists, 3.5 assists, and 1.2 steals per game while shooting a solid 45.1 percent from the floor. You’d like his three-point percentage of 33.1 percent to be a bit higher, but he more than makes up for it with his aggression and athleticism. A shot can be worked on, but you can’t really teach the athleticism that allowed Jackson to chart a 43.5-inch max vertical leap at the combine.
I’ve said it before, but I could see Jackson being a Russell Westbrook type player at the next level. He may not be a superstar, but I love his relentless attack and putting him behind Reggie Jackson is something I’d like to see.
Next: No. 19 Nuggets
Height: 5-10
Weight: 149 pounds
Wingspan: 6-2
DOB: 01/05/96
When it came to the Kentucky Wildcats this past season, there were a lot of guys getting the shine from the media and the public spotlight coming into the season. And while Jamal Murray was great for much of the year and while Skal Labissiere showed improvement from beginning to end, the star of that team was without question point guard Tyler Ulis.
As far as his NBA prospects go, though, the major thing working against Ulis in the eyes of scouts and front offices is clearly his size. He’s well under six-feet and measured at a hair under 150 pounds at the combine. That’s not a great look for an NBA player, but when you consider just how good he was on the floor as he averaged 17.3 points, seven assists, three rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game for Kentucky, it’s hard to deny what he’s capable of.
Though his size is certainly not ideal, you look at players like Isaiah Thomas and realize it’s not the final indicator of success at the next level. As such, a team like the Nuggets that needs depth could put Ulis behind a bigger guard like Emmanuel Mudiay and they could be nice complements to one another.
Next: No. 20 Pacers
Height: 6-5.75
Weight: 207 pounds
Wingspan: 6-9.25
DOB: 07/04/94
As I’ve said and previous the two previous versions of this NBA mock draft, DeAndre Bembry out of Saint Joseph’s is certainly up there in regards to my favorite players in this draft. He was an absolute force for his three years with the Hawks in the college ranks and showed tremendous leadership by the time he was done. On top of that, he was also crazy productive and showed nice measurable at the combine.
In 36 games as a junior last season, Bembry put up 17.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.4 steals in 37.3 minutes per game. He shot a solid 47.9 percent from the floor on the year, but that actually looks more impressive when you consider the fact that he only shot 26.6 percent from three. In fact, if his three-point shooting was more reliable, Bembry might be in the conversation of being a lottery pick.
Bembry’s height and wingspan weren’t overwhelming for a small forward at the combine, but he also showed off a 38-inch max vertical leap. Moreover, you have to love a player that was able to do everything as a leader for his team and that was Bembry. I think he’d be a great addition to this Pacers team.
Next: No. 21 Hawks
Height: 6-11
Weight: 240 pounds
DOB: 01/04/97
Often times when there are big men that are coming from overseas, especially big men that are under 20 years old and not veterans in European basketball, those players haven’t seen the floor that much in their brief time playing professionally. The fact that Ante Zizic is the exception to the rule is one of the reasons why the 19-year-old Croatian big man is so intriguing heading into this draft.
Last year in the Adriatic League, Zizic put up solid numbers in a sizeable role for a 19-year-old playing at such a level overseas. In 21 appearances throughout the year, the young Croatian put up 13.4 points, eight rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game. Playing in one of the best European leagues out there at such a young age and being given such ample opportunities to just see the floor truly speaks volumes about the talent that Zizic has.
As the Hawks could be less one big man with Al Horford hitting free agency, I’d expect them to look big at No. 21 to at least add another quality body to develop in the frontcourt. Zizic is a great way to go about doing that.
Next: No. 22 Hornets
Height: 6-10
Weight: 254 pounds
Wingspan: 7-2.75
DOB: 02/10/97
There’s definitely a divided opinion in the scouting community and among many GMs coming out of the combine regarding former Maryland Terrapins big man Diamond Stone. While he showed in his lone season in College Park that he can really get it done down on the interior—particularly as an offensive presence—the big man appeared a bit hefty and unathletic at the combine.
Obviously his size and length were solid as he measured a legitimate 6-10 with a wingspan comfortably over 7-feet. However, the 12.9 percent body fat that he registered was less than ideal, the same of which can be said of his 29.5-inch max vertical leap.
However, you can’t deny his production and upside as a young 19-year-old. In his lone college season, he put up 12.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game while shooting 56.8 percent from the floor, all in only 22.8 minutes per game.
There’s still development and maturity issues to address with Stone, but I think that the Hornets under Steve Clifford and, if he’s still there, Patrick Ewing would be a great place for him to fall and that he would be best set up for success in that situation.
Next: No. 23 Celtics
Height: 6-7.75
Weight: 220 pounds
Wingspan: 6-11.5
DOB: 08/22/1994
Though he may have just been a part of the Baylor Bears looking impressive in the regular season and then letting down fans when it comes to the tournament for most of his college career, Taurean Prince was still a huge presence down in Waco over his college career. Now he’s a highly intriguing prospect in terms of what he can do at the next level.
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Outside of having a solid frame and great athleticism off of the wing at the small forward position, Prince was wildly productive in his final year at college. He finished the year averaging 16 points, six rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.2 steals in 30.8 minutes per game while shooting 43.1 percent from the floor and 36.1 percent from long range.
Prince certainly already has an NBA skill set and the size and physical tools to succeed at an NBA level as well. However, the real key is finding the right fit for him. If the Celtics were to keep their pick, though, they’re the type of team with the depth all around and the slight need at forward for a player like Prince to play as a role player. It makes sense and would be worth a shot.
Next: No. 24 76ers
Height: 6-4.5
Weight: 190 pounds
Wingspan: 6-7
DOB: 11/26/96
A player who has been garnering a lot of deserved buzz over the past few weeks and then continued to get more buzz at the NBA Draft Combine is former Florida State guard Malik Beasley. The 19-year-old from Alpharetta, GA has impressed scouts at each workout with the skills and tools that he’s been able to showcase and has almost surely secured himself a spot in the first round.
In his lone season with Florida State, Beasley produced at a high level in the 34 games that he played. Beasley put up 15.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 0.9 steals in 29.8 minutes per game. What you really have to like if you’re a pro team or a scout is the efficiency that the youngster scored with as a Seminole, shooting 47.1 percent from the floor and a solid 38.7 percent from long-range.
With solid length to help him compensate for being a bit small at the position and with nice athleticism, Beasley has a unique and valuable blend of physical tools and skill that could make him a three-and-D guy in the NBA sooner rather than later. As such, taking him at 24 if you’re the 76ers and need guards seems too easy.
Next: No. 25 Clippers
Height: 6-10.5
Weight: 209 pounds
Wingspan: 7-0.25
DOB: 06/27/94
There were quite a few players in college basketball this past season that really came out of nowhere to improve their draft stock a great deal. While Buddy is the poster-child out of Oklahoma, a player like Brice Johnson out of North Carolina is another player that did just the same as he didn’t even have the most buzz on his team coming into the year.
However, Johnson made sure he got his attention throughout the year with his play. He was a monster for the Tar Heels as he averaged 17 points, 10.5 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, and 1.1 steals in only 28 minutes per game while also shooting 61.4 percent from the field. Though he still has a bit of a slight frame and isn’t exceptionally long or tall, he showed at the NBA Draft Combine that he has the athleticism to make up for it, measuring a 38-inch max vertical leap.
For a team like the Los Angeles Clippers that have long needed frontcourt depth behind Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan, Johnson is the type of player with the skill and athleticism to slot right in as a reserve on that team and make an impact.
Next: No. 26 76ers
Height: 6-5
Weight: 170 pounds
Wingspan: 6-9.5
DOB: 09/19/96
Outside of the No. 1 overall pick, I’d be shocked if the 76ers look outside of the backcourt too often when it comes to their selections. Given the fact that almost all of their lottery picks in recent years have either been forwards or centers, they now are in a position where they need to start adding depth in terms of guard to accompany the upstart Ish Smith. Dejounte Murray out of Washington would be an interesting place to look in that regard.
In his lone season with the Huskies, Murray was quite productive at his position. The 19-year-old hometown kid from Seattle averaged 16.1 points, six rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.8 steals per game. He has some obvious flaws in his game as he shot a mere 41.6 percent from the floor and an atrocious 28.8 percent from three on the year. However, he showed a great deal of value.
What I love about Murray for the 76ers is that they aren’t in a position to be any kind of particular in regards to skill set in their backcourt. So when there’s a guy with the size and length of Murray on the board that is skilled—even if not a great shooter—they almost have to nab him.
Next: No. 27 Raptors
Height: 7-0.75
Weight: 216
Wingspan: 7-3
DOB: 02/25/1997
Thon Maker has been turning heads just leading up to the draft process and rightfully so. When you look at what the Sudanese-to-Canadian prospect is capable of on the basketball court and the size that he’s doing it at, it’s definitely eye-catching. So too, though is the fact that he’s basically exploiting a loophole in the international prospect rules to come straight out of high school into the NBA.
Regardless, Makers was wholly impressive at the NBA Draft combine. Though he measured just a tad smaller than the 7-1 he was listed at, he made up for it by posting a 7-3 wingspan and then more than adequately reconciled everything by posting a max vertical leap of over 36 inches, a ludicrous number for a guy his size.
There are obvious concerns here with Maker considering how he got into the draft, the competition that he’s faced, and whether he can be a traditional big man in any sense. Even so, the Raptors are a team that could afford the luxury of taking a big risk at the end of the first round and what Maker has shown to this point makes him more than worthy of that.
Next: No. 28 Suns
Height: 7-2
Weight: 218 pounds
Wingspan: 7-7.75
DOB: 01/16/1996
There are a lot of guys in this draft whose measurable really jump off the page and have to be entrancing to GMs and scouts throughout the NBA. No one fits that criteria more snugly than the 20-year-old Chinese prospect Zhou Qi who absolutely wowed everyone at the NBA Draft Combine with how he measured and the skill he has with that size.
Obviously the fact that Qi measured as a legitimate 7-2 at the combine is a huge positive in his favor. What’s more, though, is that Zhou Qi also measured even longer than that in terms of his wingspan, which measured 5.75 inches longer than his listed height. Moreover, he also showed that he’s not a stiff at that size and with that length as he registered a 32-inch max vertical leap at the combine as well. Toss in the fact that he can step away and knock down jumpers and he’s a ridiculous prospect.
However, Qi is another player with a slight frame that rightfully worries many teams. Moreover, he hasn’t seen much competition in China while playing. Even still, seeing a team like Phoenix with a plethora of picks take a chance would be a nice move.
Next: No. 29 Spurs
Height: 6-9
Weight: 220 pounds
DOB: 09/28/95
There are many defining characteristics of the San Antonio Spurs when you think about how they were able to build their dynasty over the better part of the last two decades. One such trait has been their success in developing and identifying high caliber international prospects. You look at players like Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili and think about what it took for the Spurs to see that special talent in them. As such, Spanish forward Juan Hernangomez could be their next international star.
Playing for Estudiantes in the Spanish ACB for the past three years, Hernangomez has shown real development and has become a really nice pro prospect as his role has increased and as he’s become a more versatile player. This past season, he played in 33 games for Estudiantes and averaged 9.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 0.8 steals in 23.5 minutes per game while shooting a solid 46.9 percent from the floor and 37.9 percent from deep.
Hernangomez has great length on the wing and has a great feel for the game. Though he’s not as young as many teams would like international prospects to be in their development, but he’s already having success overseas so it’s a wash in that regard. He’s the type of player that seems made for San Antonio.
Next: No. 30 Warriors
Trying to scout international prospects that don’t have a lot of tape on them and that haven’t played a lot in whatever league they’re in overseas can sometimes be a bit of a difficult task. That’s certainly the case when it comes to 19-year-old center Ivicia Zubac out of Bosnia and Herzegovinia.
Physically is where Zubac certainly stands out. At 19 years old, he has a tremendous frame as he stands at 7-1. What’s uncommonly great about his size and build for a big man his age, though, is the fact that he weighs in at a strong 265 pounds. He’s not one of the bean poles that would have to come in and be on a weight and diet program before he touches the floor.
With that being said, Zubac really hasn’t played much over the past two seasons in the Adriatic League, seeing the floor for just 11 games total over the past couple of years. He’s been solid when on the floor, but that he hasn’t seen the floor is a bit concerning.
Next: Top 25 NBA Free Agents: Who Could Lakers Target?
Obviously the Warriors are in a great position, so they could afford to take a gamble on a player like Zubac—especially with Festus Ezeli potentially leaving in free agency.