2016 NBA Picks & Predictions: Mock Draft – Projected Top 5 Picks

2016 NBA Picks & Predictions: Mock Draft – Projected Top 5 Picks: The ping pong balls have been selected, and 2016 NBA Draft Lottery is now set. After years of tanking to try to land the No. 1 pick, the Philadelphia 76ers finally landed the top pick. The Los Angeles Lakers held on to their top-three protected pick and will select second, and by virtue of a trade with the Brooklyn Nets, the Boston Celtics will pick third.

A lot has to go on between now and June’s draft, and no picks are set in stone just yet. That being said, a hierarchy has already begun to develop, and here is an early look at the potential top five picks for the 2016 NBA Draft. Also, don’t forget to visit NSAwins.com this month for expert NBA picks in the 2016 NBA Finals as well as daily updated 2016 NBA Finals Odds.

2016 NBA Picks & Predictions: Mock Draft – Projected Top 5 Picks

1. Philadelphia 76ers: Ben Simmons, Forward, LSU

There has been a lot of talk about the lack of intensity Simmons showed at LSU potentially causing him to slip from the top spot, but I’m not buying it. Yes, his jumper needs work, but you can work on shooting a lot easier than you can give someone a 6-10 frame with high-end athleticism that also dribbles and passes like a point guard. Simmons has far too many gifts for someone his size and far too much upside for Philadelphia to pass on him with the No. 1 pick. The 76ers have been tanking for years to land a player like Simmons, and they aren’t going to blow their chance.

2. Los Angeles Lakers: Brandon Ingram, Forward, Duke

While I view Simmons as a lock to go No. 1, the Lakers should be thrilled to net Ingram with the second pick. In fact, you can write in this pick with permanent ink if Simmons does indeed go first. Ingram needs to bulk up, but he has the size and stroke to be an offensive monster. He already has the range, and he showed late in his freshman season that he can drive and get to the foul line. He has a chance to be a Tracy McGrady-like scorer in the NBA, and he will be a much-needed cornerstone for the rebuilding Lakers.

3. Boston Celtics: Dragan Bender, Power Forward, Bosnia

If there is going to be a pick high in the first round that will be traded, it is probably this one. The Celtics have become competitive much sooner than expected, and they are one All-Star-caliber player away from being a real factor in the Eastern Conference. If they do keep this pick, Bender makes the most sense. The Celtics don’t have a big man that is both a scoring threat and a defensive presence, and Bender has the skills to become both. At worst, he should be able to space the floor, and his ceiling is tremendous.

4. Phoenix Suns: Kris Dunn, Point Guard, Providence 

The Suns don’t currently have a power forward on their roster for next year, but unfortunately for Phoenix, the best players left at this point in the draft all happen to be guards. Don’t be surprised if a trade is worked out that nets Phoenix a proven big man in exchange for either Eric Bledsoe or Brandon Knight, leaving Dunn, a potential two-way star, to the run the point alongside Devin Booker and whoever isn’t traded.

5. Minnesota Timberwolves: Jamal Murray, Combo-Guard, Kentucky

Minnesota is loaded with young talent, but if they lack one thing, it is outside firepower. Murray will address the need, and his versatility will allow him to serve as the backup at both the point guard and shooting guard spots. Not to mention that he gives the Timberwolves some long-term flexibility with their personnel because of his positional versatility.