2016 NBA Mock Draft: Top Prospects and 1st-Round Predictions Following Lottery

Even after an unexciting lottery on Tuesday, the official order gives us a chance to dig deep in projecting the 2016 NBA draft.

For the first time in its history, the lottery stayed with the status quo as the top three teams remained where they were in order. The Philadelphia 76ers will be selecting first, while the Los Angeles Lakers get to hold on to their pick at No. 2.

While there has been plenty of scouting up to this point, teams will start to take closer looks at prospects likely to be around when they are on the clock. They will then spend the next few weeks finalizing draft boards and getting as prepared as possible for the June 23 event.

A lot more movement is still possible, but here is an updated look at projections for the first round of the NBA draft. 

Philadelphia 76ers: Brandon Ingram, SF, Duke

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You obviously want to pick the best player available at No. 1, but it’s also important to figure out how that player will fit within a team.

The 76ers have a pair of solid big men in Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel and are expecting contributions from Joel Embiid and Dario Saric as soon as next season. Not only will it be hard to fit all these players on the court, but all of them do their work in the post. While LSU’s Ben Simmons has a much different style as a ball-handler and playmaker, he also lacks a jump shot.

No matter what position you play Simmons, this will be an ineffective offense with a clogged paint and little versatility.

On the other hand, Brandon Ingram would fit nicely as an elite perimeter scorer who can stretch the floor. The outside shot is something general manager Bryan Colangelo specifically mentioned when discussing the Duke prospect.

“As you look at a Brandon Ingram, …

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