Photos: 2016 NBA Mock Draft
1. PHILADELPHIA: Ben Simmons, forward, 6-10, 239, LSU -- The positives are his all-around skills handling the basketball, something the 76ers need. The negatives are his shooting and competitiveness.
(Andy Lyons / Getty Images)Shaped by interviews with various scouts and NBA executives, here’s the best guess at the moment for how the first round of the draft will play out June 23.
2. LAKERS: Brandon Ingram, forward, 6-9, 196, Duke – He’s exactly what the Lakers need. He’s NBA-ready, can shoot and defend, and should be the right fit for this team.
(Streeter Lecka / Getty Images)3. BOSTON: Dragan Bender, forward, 7-1, 225, Croatia — He didn’t play much for Maccabi Tel Aviv, but his length, defensive ability and outside shooting are too intriguing to pass up. Another Kristaps Porzingis?
(Jack Guez / AFP/Getty Images)4. PHOENIX: Buddy Hield, guard, 6-4, 214, Oklahoma — A four-year player who can contribute right away. He’s an incredible outside shooter.
(Alonzo Adams / Associated Press)5. MINNESOTA: Kris Dunn, guard, 6-4, 205, Providence – The Timberwolves need help at point guard. Dunn is a really good defender, but must work on his three-point shot.
(Gerry Broome / Associated Press)6. NEW ORLEANS: Jamal Murray, guard, 6-5, 201, Kentucky -- The Pelicans need a shooter to help spread the floor for Anthony Davis.
(James Crisp / Associated Press)7. DENVER. Domantas Sabonis, Gonzaga, forward-center, 6-10, 231, Gonzaga — He’s tough-nosed and a strong rebounder who can play some center in a small-ball lineup.
(Jamie Squire / Getty Images)8. SACRAMENTO: Jaylen Brown, guard, 6-7, 222, California – Brown has the size and strength to be a solid wing player for the Kings.
(Young Kwak / Associated Press)9. TORONTO: Deyonta Davis, forward-center, 6-10, 230, Michigan State – He has good size, a nice shooting touch for a big man and is a good rim protector.
(Alex Gallardo / Associated Press)10. MILWAUKEE: Jakob Poeltl, center, 7-1, 242, Utah -- Considered the best center in the draft; a physical player.
(Danny Moloshok / Associated Press)New Magic Coach Frank Vogel (pictured) could be in charge of:
11. ORLANDO: Furkan Korkmaz, guard, 6-7, 185, Turkish league — He’s just 18, but he can shoot the ball.
(Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images)12. UTAH: Marquese Chriss (right), forward, 6-10, 225, Washington – The Jazz could use another athlete who has shooting range and can play on the perimeter.
(John Locher / Associated Press)13. PHOENIX: Skal Labissiere, forward-center, 7-0, 216, Kentucky – The Suns like that he is versatile enough to play two positions even, if he has to gain some weight.
(James Crisp / Associated Press)14. CHICAGO. Henry Ellenson, forward-center, 6-10, 231,
15. DENVER: Wade Baldwin, guard, 6-3, 195, Vanderbilt — His ability to be a nice combo guard is what the
16. BOSTON: Brice Johnson, forward, 6-9, 230, North Carolina — Coming from a top program doesn’t hurt. He’s a strong rebounder and has a nice mid-range game.
(Streeter Lecka / Getty Images)18. DETROIT: Demetrius Jackson, guard, 6-1, 194, Notre Dame — He’s a good athlete who shot well in college.
(Elsa Garrison / Getty Images)Will Nuggets Coach Michael Malone (pictured) get a Croatian center?
19. DENVER: Ante Zizic, center, 6-11, 240, Croatia — His size, strength and toughness are too good for the Nuggets to pass on.
(Steve Dykes / Associated Press)20. INDIANA: Cheick Diallo, forward-center, 6-9, 219, Kansas — Though he’s only 19, Diallo has the ability to be a good defender and rebounder.
(Charlie Riedel / Associated Press)21. ATLANTA: DeAndre Bembry, guard, 6-6, 210 St. Joseph’s — Bembry is a tremendous athlete, but he needs to improve his shooting.
(Patrick Smith / Getty Images)22. CHARLOTTE: Damian Jones, center, 6-11, 248, Vanderbilt – Jones has an NBA body, is a physical player and a good athlete.
(Mark Humphrey / Associated Press)Celtics Coach Brad Stevens (pictured) could use a physical low-post presence:
23. BOSTON: Ivica Zubac, center, 7-1, 265, Croatia — He may be a project, but Zubac is tough, strong and has a nice back-to-the-basket game.
(Maddie Meyer / Getty Images)Could 76ers Coach Brett Brown (pictured) get another big man?
24. PHILADELPHIA: Juan Hernangomez, forward, 6-9, 220, Spain — The 76ers might leave him in Europe to develop more, but his game has a good upside.
(Michael Perez / Associated Press)25. CLIPPERS: Jaron Blossomgame, forward, 6-7, 215, Clemson — The Clippers liked his recent workout. He’s very athletic.
(Charles Rex Arbogast / Associated Press)26. PHILADELPHIA: Ben Bentil, forward, 6-9, 235, Providence — Bentil has to work on his outside shooting, but he can play two forward positions.
(Charles Rex Arbogast / Associated Press)27. TORONTO: Diamond Stone, center, 6-11, 255, Maryland — Though he has size and is strong, Stone has to work on his skills around the basket.
(Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)Will new Suns Coach Earl Watson (pictured) be smiling after drafting?
28. PHOENIX: Petr Cornelie, forward, 6-11, 220, France — The Suns most likely would leave him in Europe for a while to work on his game.
(Matt York / Associated Press)29. SAN ANTONIO: Malachi Richardson, guard, 6-6, 205, Syracuse — Richardson had a really good NCAA tournament to improve his stock.
(Streeter Lecka / Getty Images)30. GOLDEN STATE: Zhou Qi, center, 7-2, 209, China — Of course, he must gain weight and strength, but he can score down low and hit three-pointers.
(Charles Rex Arbogast / Associated Press)