2016 NBA Mock Draft: Predictions for Most Athletic 1st-Round Prospects

With the Golden State Warriors missing Stephen Curry and the Miami Heat down Chris Bosh and on and on, the NBA playoffs continue to provide a stark lesson as to the importance of the draft.

While the postseason bracket rages onward, the lottery is right around the corner. It’s a moment that most franchises fixate on as the days go by thanks to sitting out of the playoffs, and this year’s deep class in tandem with the summer of Kevin Durant promises a shot at an instant turnaround for a few lucky teams.  

Elite athletes pepper the class. Some guys are elite prospects without the classification—like Kentucky’s Jamal Murray. Some lean on it completely, while others strike the perfect balance. Below, let’s take a look at a mock based on team need and prospect value before pointing out some of the top athletes in the class.

2016 NBA Mock Draft

Most Athletic First-Round Prospects 8. Sacramento Kings: PG Kris Dunn, Providence

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Providence’s Kris Dunn gets comparisons to Rajon Rondo and Russell Westbrook for a reason, folks. 

Dunn is one of those can’t-miss prospects at the point, a floor general who can get everyone involved while weaving his way through defenses and finishing at the rim—just don’t ask him to go nuts with his jump shot from range.

Not that Dunn isn’t improving, either. At 6’4″ and 220 pounds, he already has most of what NBA teams ask for on both ends of the court, and his athleticism helps him play either guard spot well.

Stat lines aren’t always the best way to evaluate a prospect. It helps with Dunn, though, who last year averaged 16.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 2.5 steals per game.

ESPN.com’s scouting report echoed a lot of these sentiments while suggesting a strong fit with the Sacramento Kings: “Dunn has a case for …

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