45th annual DBR Mock Draft, 2016 - It's a wrap!

[JasonEvans]

We got so many folks signed up so quickly, we are ready to start the draft. Please make your pick in a timely fashion. If you know you are not going to be available for several hours, you can PM your pick to me or pfrduke and we will post it for you.

One of the most important things you do, by the way, is to explain your pick. Why did you select the player in question and how does he fit into your team's plans for the future. As a reminder, even if NBA trades happen over the next few days, our mock draft order is locked at this point. We ignore all NBA trades made at this point.

So, with that, lets get this started. Here is the draft order...

1. Philly - pfrduke : Brandon Ingram, F, Duke
2. L.A. Lakers - Edouble : Ben Simmons, F, LSU
3. Boston - NashvilleDevil: Marquese Chriss, PF, Washington
4. Phoenix - gurufrisbee: Dragan Bender, PF, Croatia
5. Minnesota - flyingdutchdevil : Jamal Murray, SG, NBA Prep U
6. New Orleans - brevity : Buddy Hield, G, Oklahoma
7. Denver - Reddevil : Jaylen Brown, SF, Cal
8. Sacramento - johnb : Kris Dunn, PG, Providence
9. Toronto – mattman91 : Jakob Poeltl, C, Utah
10. Milwaukee - KaZe : Wade Baldwin, PG, Vanderbilt
11. Orlando - NSDukeFan : Henry Ellenson, PF, Marquette
12. Utah – FerryFor50 : Denzel Valentine, SG, Michigan St.
13. Phoenix - gurufrisbee : Deyonta Davis, PF/C, Michigan St.
14. Chicago - CDu : Skal Labissiere, PF/C, NBA Prep U
15. Denver - Reddevil : Furkan Korkmaz, SG, Turkey
16. Boston - NashvilleDevil : Domantas Sabonis, C, Gonzaga
17. Memphis - jacone21 : Timothe Luwawu, France
18. Detroit – DukeTrinity11 : Demetrius Jackson, PG, Notre Dame
19. Denver - Reddevil : Brice Johnson, F, UNC
20. Indiana - luburch : Malik Beasley, G, FSU
21. Atlanta - Jason Evans : Dejounte Murray, G, Washington
22. Charlotte - JNort : Malachi Richardson, SG/SF, Syracuse
23. Boston - NashvilleDevil : Tyler Ulis, PG, Kentucky
24. Philadelphia - pfrduke : Cheick Dialo, PF, Kansas
25. LA Clippers - theschwartz : Taurean Prince, SF, Baylor
26. Philadelphia - pfrduke : DeAndre Bembry, SG, St. Joe's
27. Toronto – mattman91 : Patrick McCaw SG, UNLV
28. Phoenix - gurufrisbee : Thon Maker, F, High School
29. San Antonio – subzero02 : Ante Zizic, PF/C, Croatia
30. Golden State - SilkyJ : Damian Jones, C, Vanderbilt

Second Round
31. Boston - NashvilleDevil : Malcolm Brogdon, SG, Virginia
32. LA Lakers - Edouble : Isaia Cordinier, G, France
33. LA Clippers - theschwartz : Juan Hernangomez, PF, Spain
34. Phoenix - gurufrisbee : Stephen Zimmerman, C, UNLV
35. Boston - NashvilleDevil : Caris LeVert, G, Michigan
36. Milwaukee - KaZe : Ivica Zubac, C, Bosnia and Herzegovina
37. Houston - Troublemaker : Guerschon Yabusele, PF, France
38. Milwaukee - KaZe : Petr Cornelie, PF, France
39. New Orleans - brevity : Rade Zagorac, F, Serbia
40. New Orleans - brevity : Gary Payton II, PG, Oregon St.
41. Orlando - NSDukeFan : Diamond Stone, C, Maryland
42. Utah – FerryFor50 : Zhou Qi, C, China
43. Houston - Troublemaker : Pascal Siakam, PF, NM State
44. Atlanta - Jason Evans : Cat Barber, PG, NC St
45. Boston - NashvilleDevil : Michael Gbinije, G, Syracuse
46. Dallas - tfk53 : Dorian Finney-Smith, F, Florida
47. Orlando - NSDukeFan : Wayne Selden, F, Kansas
48. Chicago - CDu : AJ Hammonds, C, Purdue
49. Detroit – Jason Evans : Ben Bentil, PF, Providence
50. Indiana – luburch : Chinanu Onuaku, PF/C, Louisville
51. Boston - NashvilleDevil : Jake Layman, F, Maryland
52. Utah – FerryFor50 : Isaiah Whitehead, G, Seton Hall
53. Denver - Reddevil : Perry Ellis, F, Kansas
54. Atlanta - Jason Evans : Georgios Papagiannis, C, Greece
55. Brooklyn - Awhom111 : Kay Felder, PG, Oakland
56. Denver - Reddevil : Daniel Hamilton, SG/SF, UConn
57. Memphis – jacone21 : Fred VanVleet, PG, Wichita St
58. Boston - NashvilleDevil : Marshall Plumlee, C, Duke
59. Sacramento - johnb : Jarrod Uthoff, F, Iowa
60. Utah – FerryFor50 : Robert Carter, PF/C, Maryland

-Jason "it's a wrap!" Evans

[pfrduke]

I will explain in more detail later, but in the interest of time, the Sixers are thrilled to select Brandon Ingram. In short, we think he's going to be the next Durant and we don't want to pass that up.

[Edouble]

With the second pick in the draft, the LA Lakers select Ben Simmons.

Hoping to compete for another run of titles with another LSU guy, the Lakers are thrilled when Ben Simmons falls out of the #1 spot, as Brandon Ingram heads to Philadelphia. With Simmons publicly proclaiming his desire to play for the Lakers for months now, the Lakers know that the prize of the 2016 draft will bring his "A" game moving from the Tiger's purple and gold to the Laker's purple and gold.

The number two pick's play making abilities are a huge plus for a Lakers team that is on somewhat rocky ground with last year's number two pick and playmaker, D'Angelo Russell. If all goes well, Russell and Simmons could look like Russell and Durant in a few years, but if team chemistry forces the Lakers to deal Russell, Simmons may just step up and answer his calling as "the next LeBron James".

[NashvilleDevil]

With the 3rd pick of the 2016 DBR Mock Draft the Boston Celtics select, Marquese Chriss, University of Washington.

My thinking behind this pick is Chriss has the highest upside but because of Boston's tremendous infrastructure he will not be pressured to produce or be a franchise savior like the top 2 picks.

[gurufrisbee]

Wow. I'm all kinds of shocked. Shocked we're starting already. Shocked it's already my pick. And mostly shocked that with the #4 pick in the DBR mock draft, the Phoenix Suns are able to take:

DRAGAN BENDER

The 7 foot Croatian teenager was our hope and desire going into this and we're ecstatic to be able to snag him here. We generally like our backcourt trio of Bledsoe, Booker, and Knight but the Suns are a wasteland in the frontcourt. We're not sure if Bender ends up as our center - which now is the rebound only combination of Tyson Chandler and Alex Len (and actually they often played them together) or power forward where we really only have Teletovic left. Bender has huge offensive upside and is already a terrific passer who will continue to improve our offense (we're bottom ten in the league in scoring per game).

[tfk53]

Wow. I'm all kinds of shocked. Shocked we're starting already. Shocked it's already my pick. And mostly shocked that with the #4 pick in the DBR mock draft, the Phoenix Suns are able to take:

DRAGAN BENDER

The 7 foot Croatian teenager was our hope and desire going into this and we're ecstatic to be able to snag him here. We generally like our backcourt trio of Bledsoe, Booker, and Knight but the Suns are a wasteland in the frontcourt. We're not sure if Bender ends up as our center - which now is the rebound only combination of Tyson Chandler and Alex Len (and actually they often played them together) or power forward where we really only have Teletovic left. Bender has huge offensive upside and is already a terrific passer who will continue to improve our offense (we're bottom ten in the league in scoring per game).

Everything I have seen about this kid suggests long term all-star. Very impressive. Videos of his passing talent fun to watch.

As much as I want Ingram to flourish, in 5 years Bender may well be looked at as the gem of the 2016 draft. Hopefully, he and Ingram can have their battles as to who was the best pick.

[GGLC]

The guy who might very well end up the best player in the draft is still on the board.

[brevity]

The guy who might very well end up the best player in the draft is still on the board.

Believe me, I know. I pick #6, but I've got to wait for flyingdutchdevil to pick for Minnesota at #5, and pray to Dean that the Mock Wolves don't draft

Spoiler!

Brice Johnson!

[GGLC]

That's the one!

[JasonEvans]

The guy who might very well end up the best player in the draft is still on the board.

Yeah, there is talk that Philly is considering him with the #1 pick. Supposedly, he had a workout with them that just blew them away.

-Jason "I wonder if we are talking about the same player" Evans

[GGLC]

Yeah, there is talk that Philly is considering him with the #1 pick. Supposedly, he had a workout with them that just blew them away.

-Jason "I wonder if we are talking about the same player" Evans

I think we probably are.

[GGLC]

Let me revise that. We definitely are not!

[gurufrisbee]

The guy who might very well end up the best player in the draft is still on the board.

Well almost everyone is still on the board.

Although I wonder how often the best player from the NBA draft does NOT go in the top four.

[flyingdutchdevil]

FDD in his second year as GM of the Babywolves had success with drafting KAT in the first round and Terry Rozier in the second round.

As we enter a new season, the Babywolves are stacked. PGs, SGs, PFs... We have it all. All we need is time and trade chips.

So... Let's take the best player left on the board.

With the fifth pick of the draft, the Babywolves select... Jamal Murray from the university of NBA. Excellent shooter, good D, good size, huge potential.

[subzero02]

Well almost everyone is still on the board.

Although I wonder how often the best player from the NBA draft does NOT go in the top four.

That shouldn't be too hard to determine for the last 40 years... I would guess that it happens a bit under 50 percent of the time. The jury is obviously still out on some of the more recent draft classes.

Also, some years are a lot more cut and dry than others... 97 tim duncan#1 ...03 james#1... but 1999 Brand #1, Lamar Odom #4, Ron artest #16, ginobili#57... you could also make an argument for Andre miller #8. All 5 of these players had points in their careers where you could make the argument that they were better than the other 4. In my opiniom, it comes down to Brand or Manu and I can make strong arguments for both.

[GGLC]

FDD in his second year as GM of the Babywolves had success with drafting KAT in the first round and Terry Rozier in the second round.

As we enter a new season, the Babywolves are stacked. PGs, SGs, PFs... We have it all. All we need is time and trade chips.

So... Let's take the best player left on the board.

With the fifth pick of the draft, the Babywolves select... Jamal Murray from the university of NBA. Excellent shooter, good D, good size, huge potential.

This was the guy Jason was talking about.

[brevity]

It's the 45th annual DBR Mock Draft. The New Orleans Pelicans can lay an early claim to the most depressing offseason so far, but at least there's a draft and an actual lottery selection to lift fans' spirits. Last year, in the 23rd annual DBR Mock Draft...

Wait a minute. Let's pause for a moment and compare the math skills of our DBR Commissioner with the two most recent NBA counterparts.

Jason Evans: Yeah, last year was the 23rd mock draft. This year is the 45th. It's, like, new math.

Adam Silver: I don't think that's how new math works. Are you sure you went to Duke?

David Stern: Math? Who cares about math? I just need Patrick Ewing to go to the Knicks. You do the math.

Anyway, the Pelicans need to improve now. Last season had 21 players (!) on the roster at some point, 20 of whom started at least once, and only two of whom appeared in more than 70 games. Anthony Davis is enjoying, but not really enjoying, his early prime years. The three-headed injury bug of Jrue Holiday, Eric Gordon, and Tyreke Evans is finally breaking up, with Gordon likely gone this summer as an unrestricted free agent, and Holiday and Evans under contract for one more season. Also look at the rapidly declining NBA Southwest Division, where Dallas, Houston, and Memphis finished at or around .500 and won't improve without significant free agents. With a few smart moves and some health/luck, the Pelicans could jump into 2nd place.

With Gordon gone (please be gone), the Pelicans need a shooting guard likely to make an immediate impact, and you can see where this is going. Buddy Hield is a do-everything scorer who shoots and finishes well. The NBA Combine lists him as 6'5" with a wingspan just over 6'9". Not exactly Klay Thompson sized, but better than Gordon. I don't expect him to score 25 per game like he did at Oklahoma, but he doesn't need to do that as the team's 2nd or 3rd offensive option.

The Pelicans need to take a smart step in the right direction. This is it. Then, in the summer of 2017, they can remove more high-priced dead weight and pick wisely in the 67th annual DBR Mock Draft.

[JasonEvans]

It's the 45th annual DBR Mock Draft. The New Orleans Pelicans can lay an early claim to the most depressing offseason so far, but at least there's a draft and an actual lottery selection to lift fans' spirits. Last year, in the 23rd annual DBR Mock Draft...

Wait a minute. Let's pause for a moment and compare the math skills of our DBR Commissioner with the two most recent NBA counterparts.

Jason Evans: Yeah, last year was the 23rd mock draft. This year is the 45th. It's, like, new math.

Adam Silver: I don't think that's how new math works. Are you sure you went to Duke?

David Stern: Math? Who cares about math? I just need Patrick Ewing to go to the Knicks. You do the math.

...Then, in the summer of 2017, they can remove more high-priced dead weight and pick wisely in the 67th annual DBR Mock Draft.

You broke the code!!

Last year was the 23rd DBR Mock Draft to honor Chris Carrawell, Brian Davis, and Shelden Williams.
This year was the 45th annual Mock Draft to honor Clay Buckley, Dan Meagher, and the Pagliuca brothers.
Next year we will find some other players to honor.

-Jason "I'm leaning toward next year being #34, in honor of Mike Dunleavey, Ryan Kelly, Carmen Wallace, and Jim Spanarkel" Evans

[JasonEvans]

With Gordon gone (please be gone), the Pelicans need a shooting guard likely to make an immediate impact, and you can see where this is going. Buddy Hield is a do-everything scorer who shoots and finishes well. The NBA Combine lists him as 6'5" with a wingspan just over 6'9". Not exactly Klay Thompson sized, but better than Gordon. I don't expect him to score 25 per game like he did at Oklahoma, but he doesn't need to do that as the team's 2nd or 3rd offensive option.

This was the guy that GGLC was talking about.

[GGLC]

Indeed it was. I think Hield has got a really good chance of being a superstar.