NBA Draft 2016: Complete 1st-Round Mock Draft and More

NBA championships are won through the draft. A few hits on prospects can reverse the fortunes of a franchise, and the 2016 NBA draft features a few players with serious potential to elevate a new team.

Duke Blue Devils star Brandon Ingram and LSU Tigers star Ben Simmons headline the draft, but there are other players who can become NBA stars in a deep pool of prospects. That should bode well for teams such as the Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets, Philadelphia 76ers and Phoenix Suns, as each has three first-round picks.

While the draft order will likely change, this mock will stick to the current order because there are too many scenarios to accurately predict the lottery. The following projections take into account team needs and how each player fits into the team’s style of play.

Difficult Decision at No. 1

Ingram and Simmons are both top-notch talents, and each presents different strengths. Yet Simmons is the better overall prospect.

In a league where uptempo offenses are having the most success, a forward who can handle the ball and pass like a guard is a huge asset.

Simmons averaged 19.2 points, 11.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game in 2015-16, which shows he has the ability to grab rebounds, push the ball up the floor and either dump it off to an open teammate or finish the play himself.

He is a Draymond Green-type player—more athletic but not as strong and less effective on defense. He is only 19 years old, so after a few years of maturation and time with professional strength coaches, he should be a dominant force in the NBA.

Ingram is a superior scorer and a better shooter, but Simmons is a rare talent and more dynamic. He can solidify Philadelphia’s frontcourt and command help defenders to leave Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel near the rim to lead to easy drop-offs and buckets. If the Sixers can keep Ish Smith in the fold, they should finally start becoming relevant again in the near future.

Strong International Crop

International prospects are typically the …

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