2016 NBA Mock Draft: Predictions for Where 1st-Round Prospects Will Land

Tuesday night’s lottery eliminated the mystery surrounding which teams would own the most coveted picks in the 2016 NBA draft. Yet there are still more questions than answers about the order in which the top prospects will come off the board with about a month until teams make their selections.

LSU’s Ben Simmons and Duke’s Brandon Ingram are both candidates to become the first overall pick. After that, there’s a second wave of incoming rookies who don’t have much separation between them, which should make for an entertaining draft night.

Let’s check out an early projection for how things could play out at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, on June 23. That’s followed by a deeper dive into the first three players off the board.

First-Round Mock Draft

Breaking Down Top Selections

1. Philadelphia 76ers: Ben Simmons, PF, LSU

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Simmons seemed like a lock to go first overall when he arrived at LSU. While he’s still likely to come off the board first, it’s no longer a guarantee because of a season in which the Tigers failed to contend and he battled inconsistency with his jump shot.

It’s an example of analysis fatigue, too. He spent every game in an immense spotlight. He carried so much hype, which made it easier to point out minor flaws in his games. That said, his overall skill set is still the most intriguing in the class.

He showcased an impressive combination of size, quickness and finishing ability while averaging 19.2 points, 11.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists during his only season at LSU. Josh Eberley of Today’s Fastbreak highlighted the contrasting aspects of his draft stock:

Ben Simmons is an A …

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