NBA Mock Draft 2016: Post-Lottery Projections for 1st-Round Prospects

So begins a monthlong process of debates around the 2016 NBA draft.

With the draft order set and the Philadelphia 76ers the biggest winners of all, the debate topics seem endless.  

Here’s a small sampling of the upcoming debates: Who should the 76ers take? Should Boston trade No. 3? Should Los Angeles trade No. 2? Will New York do whatever it takes to get in the first round? Is Thon Maker a lottery pick?

On and on it will go, which isn’t a bad thing for NBA fans who cannot get enough of the postseason right now. It’s an especially good thing for those fans who are dripping with optimism heading into a summer defined by a high-upside class and deep free-agent pool.

Below, let’s take a look at the draft order and a mock based on team need and the prospect stock market.

2016 NBA Mock Draft

High-Upside Prospects to Know 11. Orlando Magic: PF/C Deyonta Davis, Michigan State

Deyonta Davis personifies the high-upside element mentioned above.

The Michigan State product played all of 18.6 minutes per game with the Spartans last year before making the jump, averaging just 7.5 points and 5.5 rebounds. However, his 1.8 blocks jump off the page.

Take those blocks and pair them with his age (19) and frame (6’11”, 237 lbs) and the NBA has a potential next big thing on its hands.

As Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman noted, a rather weak class in Davis’ specialty probably justifies his decision to go pro:

Not too many standouts. Deyonta Davis? I like him better on D than Poeltl. https://t.co/TgXINKtx2y

— Jonathan Wasserman (@NBADraftWass) May 16, 2016

Should Davis land with a team that is willing to deploy him in defensive situations while giving him a few years to develop his offensive game, he could end up as a starter in the league for a long time.

The Orlando Magic provide an …

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