Jordan's 2016 NBA Mock Draft

It's that time of year again ladies and gentlemen! The 2016 NBA Draft is upon us. Below I give my take on who I think will go in the top 8 at this year's draft!

1. Ben Simmons – SF/PF (LSU – Freshman)

There’s no way the Philadelphia 76ers are crazy enough to pass on the talent of Ben Simmons. He’s already being compared to players like LeBron James. Philly has already reportedly told Simmons he’d be taken with the first pick in this year’s draft. He averaged 19.2 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 4.8 assists in 33 games in 2015-16 for LSU.

2. Brandon Ingram – SF (Duke – Freshman)

If there was a guy in this draft who could challenge Ben Simmons for that first pick, it’d be Brandon Ingram. The Duke star averaged 17.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 6.2 assists in 36 games for the Blue Devils in the 2015-16 season. The Lakers will be happy to have him in Los Angeles.

3. Dragan Bender – PF (Maccabi Tel Aviv – International)

This is where the draft starts. The Celtics can go anywhere with this pick. Kris Dunn? Buddy Hield? Jamal Murray? I don’t think anyone will have a clue as to who Boston will take until they’re on the clock Thursday. I think they’ll go with Dragan Bender. Bender is a 7’1 power forward coming from Israel. He’s expected to be 2016’s version of 2015’s Kristaps Porzingis. We all know how well that went for the New York Knicks.

4. Marquese Chriss – PF (Washington – Freshman)

The Sacramento product from Pleasant Grove High School is a solid pick for the Phoenix Suns. The 6’10 power forward freshman averaged 13.8 points and 5.4 rebounds for the Washington Huskies in 34 games in the 2015-16 season. He can become that key player that the Suns need and can build around going forward.

5. Jamal Murray – PG/SG (Kentucky – Freshman)

A lot of people may have the Timberwolves going Buddy Hield here. I disagree. The Wolves need a good PG off the bench to play behind Rubio. Sure they have Tyus Jones who is young, but Murray has much more potential and can shoot the ball much better. The former Wildcat would fit well on this already very stacked young team in Minnesota. This will also allow Zach LaVine to fully become a shooting guard, which I believe to be his more natural position.

6. Buddy Hield – SG (Oklahoma – Senior)

Buddy Hield will finally come off the board at number 6 to the New Orleans Pelicans. Arguably the most “NBA-ready” player in this draft (most likely due to staying in college all 4 years and developing his skill), Hield averaged an amazing 25 points at Oklahoma to go along with 5.7 rebounds and 2 assists in 37 games in 2015/16. Hield is no doubt the best shooter in the draft. This will be the biggest steal of the draft and will make N’awlins the winners of the draft. If there’s any guy the Kings should go after hard (realistically) in this draft, it should be Buddy Hield.

7. Kris Dunn – PG (Providence – Junior)

The Nuggets will take Dunn off the board quick if he’s still there at 7. This could also be a huge steal for Denver at 7. Dunn is rumored to go as high as 3. Dunn averaged 16.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 6.2 assists in 36 games for Providence.

8. Jaylen Brown – SF/SG (California – Freshman)

So many things can happen for the Kings before we get to this scenario. Will the Kings trade back? Will they trade up and try for Hield? Will they trade out for a veteran? Who knows? If the Kings stay at 8 and Dunn, Hield, Chriss, and Murray are off the board, I expect the Kings to go with their 3rd shooting guard in 4 years. If the Kings do go with Brown, it’ll also make it easier for them to let go of Ben McLemore, who teams are reportedly interested in. Brown averaged 14.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2 assists in 34 games last NCAA season.