Trades have already started to alter the landscape of the 2016 NBA draft, with a three-team deal between the Atlanta Hawks, Indiana Pacers, and Utah Jazz that involves the 12th pick in the draft, which is now held by the Hawks. Jeff Teague is now in Indiana, with George Hill manning the point guard spot in Utah.
In addition, the Chicago Bulls are sending Derrick Rose, along with Justin Holiday and 2017 second round draft pick, to the New York Knicks for Robin Lopez, Jose Calderon, and Jerian Grant.
Those two trades kick off an NBA draft which is expected to be eventful, with many picks having the possibility of changing hands over the next 24 hours.
First Round
1. Philadelphia 76ers: Ben Simmons, F LSU
With the Sixers finally getting the chance to meet with Simmons and his representatives in Cleveland before Game 6 of the NBA Finals, the last hurdle to the Sixers selecting him No. 1 overall seems to be cleared.
2. Los Angeles Lakers: Brandon Ingram, F Duke
The top two selections in this year’s draft seem to be virtually set in stone, and the Lakers will be happy to grab Ingram, who averaged 17.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game during his only season at Duke.
3. Boston Celtics (via BKN): Jaylen Brown, SG California
The Boston Celtics could go in many different ways with this pick, and still represent one of the bigger unknowns in the draft even only a few days out. Brown has been impressive in workouts, and would give Boston an athlete who could defend multiple positions.
4. Phoenix Suns: Marquese Chriss, PF Washington
Chriss, who averaged 13.8 points and 5.4 rebounds per game for Washington last year, has been one of the draft’s fastest risers, and would give Phoenix an elite athlete in the front court who could also stretch the floor.
5. Minnesota Timberwolves: Jamal Murray, SG Kentucky
Minnesota’s another team that has a few different options with their selection, and their future plans with point guard Ricky Rubio could help determine that, as many would have Kris Dunn as the highest rated prospect. Still, Murray, who shot 40.8% on over three-point attempts per game for Kentucky, would help open up the floor for Karl-Anthony Towns to operate inside.
6. New Orleans Pelicans: Kris Dunn, PG Providence
While Jrue Holiday had a nice bounceback season, there’s still a lot of uncertainty about the future of New Orleans’ backcourt. Dunn has a ton of two-way potential, and would be hard to pass up at this point.
7. Denver Nuggets (via NYK): Dragan Bender, PF Croatia
Many consider Bender, who competed in the Israeli League at 18, to be the third best prospect in the draft. He’s in play at both No. 3 to Boston and No. 4 to Phoenix, but if he fell this far Denver would be wise to scoop him up.
8. Sacramento Kings: Buddy Hield, SG Oklahoma
While shooting guard isn’t necessarily Sacramento’s highest priority, Hield’s 45.7% three-point shooting, on 322 attempts, would help DeMarcus Cousins operate down low.
9. Toronto Raptors (via DEN): Jakob Poeltl, C Utah
It will be hard for Toronto to keep Bismack Biyombo in free agency, and good defensive big men are at a premium. Poeltl is crisp in his defensive rotations and has the chance to grow into a contributor on both ends of the court.
10. Milwaukee Bucks: Deyonta Davis, PF Michigan State
Davis (1.8 blocks in just 18 minutes per game) has the potential to be an elite interior defender. He’s still raw, but the potential is there down the line.
11. Orlando Magic: Skal Labissiere, PF Kentucky
Labissiere struggled to adapt to John Calipari’s system at Kentucky, averaging just fewer than 16 minutes per game. Still, the big man from Haiti can shoot from the perimeter and alter shots around the rim, which would make him an ideal fit next to Nikola Vucevic. The talent is there to warrant a lottery selection, as long as the team drafting him has patience.
12. Atlanta Hawks: Domantas Sabonis, PF Gonzaga
If the Jeff Teague trade signals the start of a full-fledged rebuilding, adding some youth to their front court could be a priority for Atlanta. Sabonis has the chance to develop into a long-term piece for the Hawks.
13. Phoenix Suns (via WSH): Henry Ellenson, PF Marquette
Concerns over Ellenson’s defensive contributions could cause him to slide a bit on draft night, but his offensive potential (17 points per game as a freshman) would be a nice get here for a Phoenix team that could use some punch in the front court.
14. Chicago Bulls: Wade Baldwin, PG Vanderbilt
With the Derrick Rose era officially over, the Bulls could look to fill their point guard spot, which lacked depth even before the trade. Baldwin can defend either guard position and can play off the ball, which would fit in well in an offense designed around Jimmy Butler.
15. Denver Nuggets (via HOU): Furkan Korkmaz, SG Turkey
At just 18, Korkmaz struggled to find a consistent role with Anadolu Efes in the Turkish League last year. Still, his size (6-foot-7), athleticism, and excellent shooting ability (40% from three) give him quite a bit of potential for this late in the draft.
16. Boston Celtics (via DAL): Timothe Luwawu, G France
Luwawu’s going to take some time to adjust to the NBA game, but his shooting (37.2% from three), secondary playmaking (2.8 assists per game), and athleticism would be tough to pass up.
17. Memphis Grizzlies: Malachi Richardson, SG Syracuse
Despite struggling for much of the year at Syracuse, Richardson has obvious physicals tools, a developing jump shot, and a lot of long-term potential, and Memphis is reportedly a fan.
18. Detroit Pistons: Juan Hernangomez, F Spain
Hernangomez is the type of international prospect who could be able to step in and fill a role right away, especially with his improving perimeter jump shot (35.8% in ACB play) and ability to play as an undersized power forward, which would fit in well with Andre Drummond.
19. Denver Nuggets (via POR): Ivica Zubac, PF Bosnia and Herzegovina
With excellent size, mobility, and touch around the rim, what Zubac, from Croatia, lacks in experience he makes up for with a high overall talent level.
20. Brooklyn Nets (via IND): Malik Beasley, SG Florida State
By making the move with the Pacers, the Nets can look to improve its perimeter depth and three-point shooting, which Beasley (38.7% from three-point range as a freshman) can provide.
21. Atlanta Hawks: Taurean Prince, F Baylor
Prince shot 37.6% from three-point range during his four year career at Baylor, which along with his defensive versatility makes it easy to project Prince as a role player.
22. Charlotte Hornets: Dejounte Murray, PG Washington
Murray continues to rise up draft boards due to his excellent combination of size and athleticism. He’s still figuring out how to play the game, but he could be a decent long-term gamble.
23. Boston Celtics: Cheick Diallo, C Kansas
Diallo struggled to break into the Kansas rotation, averaging 7.5 minutes per game for Bill Self as a freshman. Still, he has the size, physical tools, and motor to develop into a high-level defender, something Boston could use inside.
24. Philadelphia 76ers (via MIA): Demetrius Jackson, PG Notre Dame
Bryan Colangelo is looking for a point guard to steer his ship, and may look to target a veteran point guard considering the rest of the youth on the Sixers. Even so, Jackson could carve out a role off the bench, and develop into a starter down the line.
25. Los Angeles Clippers: Denzel Valentine, SG Michigan St.
There have been some medical concerns about a possible knee issue with Valentine that could cause him to fall, but Valentine, who averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 7.8 assists per game as a senior at Michigan State, could add punch to the Clippers’ backcourt.
26. Philadelphia 76ers (via OKC): DeAndre Bembry, SF St. Joe's
Philadelphia could use depth on the wing, and Bembry’s passing, defensive versatility, and potential as a slasher could earn him minutes right away. If he improves his outside shot (26.6% as a junior), he could be a steal.
27. Toronto Raptors: Ante Zizic, C Croatia
Zizic’s stock is fairly fluid at the moment, and he could end up going as high as the teens. If he fell this far, his combination of size, mobility, shot blocking ability, and touch around the hoop would be tough to pass up.
28. Phoenix Suns (via CLE): Thon Maker, PF Australia
Maker’s draft stock has a lot of volatility to it, but Phoenix could take a gamble on his long-term upside with their third pick in the first round. Maker’s unique physical profile, fluidity, and improving three-point shot give him a lot of potential, but some patience will be required.
29. San Antonio Spurs: Guerschon Yabusele, PF France
Yabusele has the size and strength to score inside, can step out to the three-point line, and has a decent amount of long-term potential as an inside-out player.
30. Golden State Warriors: Damian Jones, C Vanderbilt
Jones never quite developed as much as many hoped, but he still has a lot of potential as a shot blocker and pick and roll threat, and could develop into a solid big man down the line.
