2016 NBA Mock Draft: Predictions for Prospects Who Will Sneak into 1st Round

When drafting NBA players, should teams select them based on their skill level? How about their potential? And what about their fit with the team?

It’s always a combination of these three, along with several other smaller factors. With that in mind, let’s pick the first round of the 2016 NBA draft, one that isn’t particularly strong on paper but could contain several impact players.

We’ll also be focusing on three prospects who may not be seen as first-round picks by most outlets, but could sneak into the top 30 because of a potentially great fit with a particular team. For each of these players, their DraftExpress prospect ranking will be listed after where they are selected in the first round.

Potential First-Round Picks

Thon Maker, No. 20 to the Indiana Pacers (No. 41 prospect)

It’s tough to predict where Maker is going to go in this year’s draft. After becoming eligible in early April, the 7’0″ Sudanese big man has been slotted in a wide variety of spots. 

DraftExpress has him as its No. 41 prospect, Basketball Insiders’ Steve Kyler picked him to go 11th in a recent mock draft and NBADraft.net has him leaving the board at No. 28. Maker’s potential as a versatile, athletic and energetic big is tantalizing, but scouts are also worried about his lack of offensive polish and questionable feel for the game. 

However, if any team is willing to take a gamble on Maker, the Pacers seem like a logical candidate. 

Indiana’s playoff big-man rotation is Lavoy Allen and Ian Mahinmi as …

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