2016 NBA Picks & Predictions: Mock Draft – Projected Lottery Picks: The 2016 NBA Draft is less than a month away, and with the combine in the books and player workouts in full swing, it is time to take a look at how the lottery picks are shaping up. It has been known for a while that Ben Simmons and Brandon Ingram are the consensus top-two picks, but everything after that is up for debate. With that in mind, here is a the look at how I see the lottery playing out. Get 2016 NBA picks and NBA predictions against the spread from NSAwins.com.
- Philadelphia 76ers: Ben Simmons, Forward, LSU
Simmons is an athletic force with freakish ball-handling and passing skills for his size. His jumper needs work, but he is a potential two-way star that you can build an offense around.
- Los Angeles Lakers: Brandon Ingram, Small Forward, Duke
His length and shooting range could make him an unstoppable scorer sooner rather than later, especially if he bulks up. Ingram will be groomed to be the go-to scorer in the post-Kobe Bryant era.
- Philadelphia 76ers (Trade): Kris Dunn, Point Guard, Providence
The 76ers need a point guard and are looking to shop Jahlil Okafor. The Celtics need a big man that can score. Philadelphia sends Okafor, a young, proven scorer to the Celtics for the No. 3 pick, and the 76ers grab a potential two-way stud in Dunn.
- Phoenix Suns: Marquese Chriss, Power Forward, Washington
The Suns don’t have a power forward on their roster, and Chriss may have the highest ceiling of any player outside of Ben Simmons thanks to his size and athleticism. It is a gamble, but gamble that could pay off in a big way.
- Minnesota Timberwolves: Jamal Murray, Shooting Guard, Kentucky
Murray is a versatile offensive player that can hold his own at either guard spot. He will provide much-needed outside shooting to Minnesota’s offense and give the team personnel and rotation flexibility.
- New Orleans Pelicans: Buddy Hield, Shooting Guard, Oklahoma
Hield is an NBA-ready shooter that will provide a little more space for Anthony Davis to operate. It will also let New Orleans cut ties with the oft-injured Eric Gordon and spend elsewhere.
- Denver Nuggets: Small Forward, Jaylen Brown, California
His athletic skills are off the charts, and if he can develop a consistent jump shot, he will be one of the best players in the draft. At worst, he should be a lockdown wing defender the Nuggets desperately need.
- Sacramento Kings: Dragan Bender, Power Forward, Israel
Bender could go as high as the No. 3 pick, but the Kings won’t hesitate to grab him to put a floor-spacing forward next to stud center DeMarcus Cousins.
- Toronto Raptors: Henry Ellenson, Power Forward, Marquette
Current center Jonas Valanciunas is an emerging talent, and Ellenson’s potential as a stretch-forward would make him a great fit to the offense. He is also ready to play as a rookie, which is important for a team that was just in the Eastern Conference fnals.
- Milwaukee Bucks: Jakob Poeltl, Center, Utah
The Bucks need a defensive stopper in the middle, and Poeltl fills the hole. He is a quality low post defender and rebounder, and he will even provide some offense. He doesn’t have a ton of upside, but he has a safe floor and fits a big need.
- Orlando Magic: Skal Labissiere, Power Forward, Kentucky
He is a high-risk, high-reward pick, but Labissiere’s potential to protect the rim and shoot from distance make him a perfect complement to Orlando center Nikola Vucevic.
- Denver Nuggets: Deyonta Davis, Power Forward, Michigan State
Davis is an elite athlete with huge upside on the defensive end. His offensive game is raw, but he has the defensive skills Denver needs and can get up and down the court in the team’s up-tempo offensive attack.
- Phoenix Suns: Domantas Sabonis, Power Forward, Gonzaga
After swinging for the fences with the No. 4 pick, Sabonis offers a tough, NBA-ready option at power forward. At worst, his versatility should allow him to be a quality backup.
- Chicago Bulls: Wayne Baldwin IV, Shooting Guard, Vanderbilt
Derrick Rose is going to get hurt again at some point, so the Bulls need a backup point guard with a proven scoring ability. Baldwin has excellent size, and he has the handle to play at the up-tempo pace Chicago is trying to adopt.
| 2 EASY STEPS to BET on 2016 NBA Odds! STEP 1: CLICK HERE to OPEN BOVADA Sportsbook Account STEP 2: Deposit with Credit Card or Deposit by Check and get a 50% BONUS upto $250 FREE added to your Player Account Funds. |