2016 Draft

[bwgood77]

Arizona now projected as 6th seed in tourney. If this scenario happened, I'd feel pretty good, because it doesn't look like that would be terribly difficult to get to the elite eight.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/bracketology

[No-Man]

Arizona now projected as 6th seed in tourney. If this scenario happened, I'd feel pretty good, because it doesn't look like that would be terribly difficult to get to the elite eight.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/bracketology

Any guess about Trier's intentions about the Draft? he has no business declaring in my mind, he would be an early 2nd or so, but you never know.
I like AZs potential next year.

[bwgood77]

Arizona now projected as 6th seed in tourney. If this scenario happened, I'd feel pretty good, because it doesn't look like that would be terribly difficult to get to the elite eight.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/bracketology

Any guess about Trier's intentions about the Draft? he has no business declaring in my mind, he would be an early 2nd or so, but you never know.
I like AZs potential next year.

I haven't heard anything. I assume he is staying, but who knows?

[DirtyDez]

Wish we had him the whole season. Clearly our best and most confident guard but this team is a PG and defensive stopper away from a F4 team. I could see him declaring with a nice tourney showing but I'm not sure how he fits with Simmons and maybe Alkins.

This team is a defensive stopper away from making a F4 run. Hopefully we can pound the paint into a S16 appearance.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

At this point, I'm all but certain that one of Simmons, Ingram, Bender or Rabb will be on our roster next year.

If Luwawu's on the board at 12, I could see him being our pick. I imagine we'll draft a PG at 27 or 35 and move the other.

[MVSteve]

At this point, I'm all but certain that one of Simmons, Ingram, Bender or Rabb will be on our roster next year.

If Luwawu's on the board at 12, I could see him being our pick. I imagine we'll draft a PG at 27 or 35 and move the other.

If we miss out on Simmons/Ingram I really hope we take a good look at Jaylen Brown. I think I would take him over Bender. Not as high on Dunn as some and not interested in Murray.

Luwawu at 12 would be solid, and I agree about getting a PG late, though I'm not sure who we'd target specifically. Also wouldn't mind taking a flier on Skal depending on if he declares or not.

[SC923]

At this point, I'm all but certain that one of Simmons, Ingram, Bender or Rabb will be on our roster next year.

If Luwawu's on the board at 12, I could see him being our pick. I imagine we'll draft a PG at 27 or 35 and move the other.

If we miss out on Simmons/Ingram I really hope we take a good look at Jaylen Brown. I think I would take him over Bender. Not as high on Dunn as some and not interested in Murray.

Luwawu at 12 would be solid, and I agree about getting a PG late, though I'm not sure who we'd target specifically. Also wouldn't mind taking a flier on Skal depending on if he declares or not.

I agree I think Bender has a much higher ceiling but Brown has a much higher, less frightening floor. Plus I heard it could be another four years before Bender comes over.

[Damkac]

Honestly I will be dissapointed if Suns will use their pick on another guard. I know you should pick BPA but Suns are so overcrowded at guards while lack talented wings.
I will be content with any of Simmons, Ingram, Bender or Brown.
Please no Dunn or Murray.

[ATTL]

At this point, I'm all but certain that one of Simmons, Ingram, Bender or Rabb will be on our roster next year.

If Luwawu's on the board at 12, I could see him being our pick. I imagine we'll draft a PG at 27 or 35 and move the other.

If we miss out on Simmons/Ingram I really hope we take a good look at Jaylen Brown. I think I would take him over Bender. Not as high on Dunn as some and not interested in Murray.

Luwawu at 12 would be solid, and I agree about getting a PG late, though I'm not sure who we'd target specifically. Also wouldn't mind taking a flier on Skal depending on if he declares or not.

I agree I think Bender has a much higher ceiling but Brown has a much higher, less frightening floor. Plus I heard it could be another four years before Bender comes over.

I read that he has a good NBA out if he wants to come over?

[bwgood77]

Ford's new mock..top 3 same as usual..

4. Boston Celtics*

Jamal Murray
Kentucky
Freshman
Guard

The Celtics would have a tough choice here between Murray, Kris Dunn, Henry Ellenson and Jaylen Brown. You could make an argument for all of them.

But Murray's positional versatility, jump shot (33-for-64 from 3 in his past seven games), ultra-competitiveness and high basketball IQ might give him the nod for Danny Ainge, who prizes all of those characteristics.

He's not an elite athlete, and his defense can still use work, but Murray's strengths are heavily outweighing his weaknesses at the moment.

Odds of winning lottery, projected record (via Nets): 11.9 percent, 24-58

Watch: Jamal Murray highlights Video

5. Minnesota Timberwolves*

Henry Ellenson
Marquette
Freshman
Forward/center

Minnesota is loaded with young talent but is struggling to compete with the other elite teams in the West and looks destined to land yet another top-5 pick.

The Wolves already have a number of young players they love -- Andrew Wiggins, Karl-Anthony Towns, Zach LaVine, Ricky Rubio and Shabazz Muhammad -- but they could still use some help at the 4.

Ellenson is a perfect fit as a big who can rebound and spread the floor. Think of him as a poor man's Kevin Love.

Odds of winning lottery, projected record: 8.8 percent, 27-55

Watch: Henry Ellenson highlights Video

6. Denver Nuggets*

Jaylen Brown
Cal
Freshman
Forward

Denver owns the right to swap picks with the Knicks this year, and given how close their projected records are, it could be a tossup on which pick the Nuggets will end up using.

Brown's elite athletic abilities are what get teams excited. His 3-point shot and tendency to turn the ball over at an unusually high rate for a forward is what's keeping him out of the top 5 right now.

Odds of winning lottery, projected record: 6.3 percent, 33-49

7. New Orleans Pelicans

Buddy Hield
Oklahoma
Senior
Guard

Hield is having the best season in college basketball this year and has rocketed up the Big Board from a late first-round pick at the start of the season to a top-10 pick now.

He could be a great fit in New Orleans. Eric Gordon is a free agent, and Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry wants to surround Anthony Davis with shooters. Hield has been the most prolific shooter in college basketball this season and could add some instant firepower to the Pelicans' offense.

Odds of winning lottery, projected record: 4.3 percent, 34-48

8. Milwaukee Bucks

Kris Dunn
Providence
Junior
Guard

Head coach and de facto GM Jason Kidd is still searching for a point guard who can really turn things around for the Bucks.

Brandon Knight wasn't it. Michael Carter-Williams is a major question mark. Dunn, who could go as high as No. 4, seems like a terrific value here. He's big and athletic, and he sees the floor. His jump shot is the only thing holding him back.

Odds of winning lottery, projected record: 2.8 percent, 34-48

9. Toronto Raptors*

Jakob Poeltl
Utah
Sophomore
Center

The Raptors get the worse of either the Knicks or Nuggets' first-round picks this year -- a huge boon to a team projected to finish with 53 wins, especially when you factor in that they gave up Andrea Bargnani to get this pick.

Poeltl has the talent of a top-6 pick. I could see both Milwaukee and Toronto taking long looks at him. He has been terrific all year. While a center is far from the most pressing need for the Raptors, the value is so high, it's hard to see them passing on him.

Odds of winning lottery, projected record (via Knicks): 1.7 percent, 34-48

10. Sacramento Kings*

Furkan Korkmaz
Turkey
Age: 18
Forward

The Kings still have major questions in the backcourt. Ben McLemore, Marco Belinelli and James Anderson just haven't been up to the task at the 2.

While the Kings aren't likely to rely on a rookie to improve their playoff odds next season, Korkmaz is a talent worth investing in. He is shooting 48 percent from 3 and has the prototypical size and skills of an NBA 2.

Odds of winning lottery, projected record: 1.1 percent, 35-47

11. Orlando Magic

Marquese Chriss
Washington
Freshman
Forward

Chriss is a pretty big gamble this high in the draft, but his combination of size, athletic ability, versatility, jump shooting and shot-blocking skills make him a unique prospect.

He could be an excellent fit next to Nikola Vucevic in the paint. He won't be ready right away, but I think he could be a potent addition to the Magic if they can be patient and continue to develop him. He has as much upside as anyone left on the board.

Odds of winning lottery, projected record: 0.8 percent, 36-46

12. Phoenix Suns*

Deyonta Davis
Michigan State
Freshman
Forward

Phoenix gets this pick from Washington as part of the Morris trade if it falls outside of the top nine.

Davis is another raw prospect. However, his athleticism and shot-blocking skills are coveted by scouts, and he has shown semblances of a solid midrange game this year. This is an upside pick all the way for the Suns, but they shouldn't be afraid to roll the dice.

Odds of winning lottery, projected record (via Wizards): 0.7 percent, 39-43

13. Houston Rockets*

Diamond Stone
Maryland
Freshman
Center

Houston is fighting Utah for that last spot in the Western Conference playoffs. The only upside for the Rockets falling short of the postseason is that they would avoid sending this pick to Denver.

With Dwight Howard's future very much up in the air, Stone would be a nice get for the Rockets. He might be the most offensively polished center in the draft.

Odds of winning lottery, projected record: 0.6 percent, 40-42

14. Detroit Pistons

Ivan Rabb
Cal
Freshman
Forward/center


The Pistons are also caught in a very tight race for the Eastern Conference playoffs. If they fall short, they can add another young big with significant upside.

Rabb has proved to be an effective rebounder and has added a nice midrange jumper to his game. He needs to get stronger, but I could see him as an Ed Davis-type player in the pros.

Odds of winning lottery, projected record: 0.5 percent, 42-40

28. Phoenix Suns


Damian Jones
Vanderbilt
Junior
Center/forward

Jones hasn't had the season NBA scouts were hoping for, but he is big and athletic and looks the part. He just hasn't put it all together yet on a nightly basis.

Still, he's a solid value at this point in the draft.

Projected record (via Cavaliers): 58-24

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/14866155/chad-ford-nba-mock-draft-40-ben-simmons-brandon-ingram-philadelphia-76ers

[Mulhollanddrive]

Shouldn't be picking for position when you're the 3rd worst team in the league.

People here would have traded up for Kaminsky to get a PF last year instead of Booker.

[DirtyDez]

Ingram's offensive game has gone in the tank. Meanwhile Jamal Murray has been dominating the last 8-9 games shooting over 50% from 3. He's gonna shoot up draft boards.

[Mr Puddles]

Will post the #3 of Chad Ford as well, just because it mentions the similarities and differences between Bender and Morris:

3. Phoenix Suns
Dragan Bender Croatia Age: 18 Forward/center
The Suns dumped starting 4 Markieff Morris at the trade deadline, opening up a perfect fit for Bender here.
Like Morris, Bender has the potential to play both inside and outside. He's shooting 48 percent from 3 this year. His playing time has been pretty limited since injuring his ankle in January, but the upside is clearly there. And unlike Morris, there are no off-court concerns. His character is one of his best selling points to NBA teams.
Odds of winning lottery, projected record: 15.6 percent, 23-59

[saintEscaton]

Will post the #3 of Chad Ford as well, just because it mentions the similarities and differences between Bender and Morris:

3. Phoenix Suns
Dragan Bender Croatia Age: 18 Forward/center
The Suns dumped starting 4 Markieff Morris at the trade deadline, opening up a perfect fit for Bender here.
Like Morris, Bender has the potential to play both inside and outside. He's shooting 48 percent from 3 this year. His playing time has been pretty limited since injuring his ankle in January, but the upside is clearly there. And unlike Morris, there are no off-court concerns. His character is one of his best selling points to NBA teams.
Odds of winning lottery, projected record: 15.6 percent, 23-59

They are nothing alike whatsoever

[saintEscaton]

Ingram is still the clear cut #2 I don't really care about his recent slump, any GM who passes on him for the likes of Murray should be fired on the spot

[Mr Puddles]

Will post the #3 of Chad Ford as well, just because it mentions the similarities and differences between Bender and Morris:

3. Phoenix Suns
Dragan Bender Croatia Age: 18 Forward/center
The Suns dumped starting 4 Markieff Morris at the trade deadline, opening up a perfect fit for Bender here.
Like Morris, Bender has the potential to play both inside and outside. He's shooting 48 percent from 3 this year. His playing time has been pretty limited since injuring his ankle in January, but the upside is clearly there. And unlike Morris, there are no off-court concerns. His character is one of his best selling points to NBA teams.
Odds of winning lottery, projected record: 15.6 percent, 23-59

They are nothing alike whatsoever

I don't mean they're alike, I mean that Ford mentions how Bender could take on many of the responsibilities Morris had when he was with the Suns- while apparently being a high character guy. Bender is obviously a very different player, especially when looking at their physical profiles. I'd say the only similarities between the two are that both are good passers for their position, both are mobile, and both are versatile.

[No-Man]

Ingram's offensive game has gone in the tank. Meanwhile Jamal Murray has been dominating the last 8-9 games shooting over 50% from 3. He's gonna shoot up draft boards.

He still cant defend a lick and plays mainly as an off-the-ball shooter, poor finisher also
Intriguing prospect but too many things could go wrong if you pick him super high.

[Saberestar]

If we miss out on Simmons/Ingram I really hope we take a good look at Jaylen Brown. I think I would take him over Bender. Not as high on Dunn as some and not interested in Murray.

Luwawu at 12 would be solid, and I agree about getting a PG late, though I'm not sure who we'd target specifically. Also wouldn't mind taking a flier on Skal depending on if he declares or not.

I agree I think Bender has a much higher ceiling but Brown has a much higher, less frightening floor. Plus I heard it could be another four years before Bender comes over.

I read that he has a good NBA out if he wants to come over?

But there are questions as to whether Bender will enter the 2016 NBA draft. Nikola Vujcic, a former European legend who serves as general manager for Maccabi and Bender's guardian, says the prospect will only be lured by a high lottery pick.

"We're not thinking that far, but Dragan will enter the draft if he gets a top-three commitment. Maybe top-five. Maybe he will do like Dario Saric—get drafted and return to Europe to develop. Dragan is excited about his future, but he needs to prove himself in the Euroleague," Vujcic told Bleacher Report.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2573742-meet-17-year-old-european-dragan-bender-who-could-be-2016s-kristaps-porzingis#

He will be in the NBA next year if he is in the Top 5 for sure. Like a ton of young players with great upside in Europe he has a long contract, but it is easy to pay a buy out to be in the NBA (like Hezonja last year).

The most important thing for Bender to pay a buyout is to be a Top pick in the draft...because the money on that rookie contract would be higher than what they make in Europe ( not like Bogdan Bogdanovic for example).

[Mulhollanddrive]

Isn't he avering like 3 points a game or something.

[AtheJ415]

That Grizzlies win was so awful. We should be 2 back in the win column with 2 games remaining against LA.