NBA Mock Draft 2016: 1st-Round Projections and Predictions for Fringe Prospects

You know the stars in this year’s NBA draft, but what about the fringe first-rounders teams will take a gamble on in the hopes of unearthing the next big thing?

Let’s take a look at a few players hovering around the end of the first round in most projections, along with a first-round mock draft for this year’s NBA draft.

Patrick McCaw, SG, UNLV

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Patrick McCaw is an interesting prospect. His height (6’7″) and length for the shooting guard position are ideal, and he’s one of the best on-ball defenders in this draft class. His 2.5 steals per game are just one indicator of how dominant he can be on the defensive end, and his ability to guard three positions will make him valuable.

His offensive game is what makes him a fringe first-rounder. While he’s a strong distributor and shot well in college (46.5 percent from the field, 36.6 percent from beyond the arc last season), he has difficulty creating his own shot and isn’t an elite athlete.

Teams that believe he can add some bulk to his skinny frame (185 lbs) and will develop into a dangerous perimeter shooter will likely take a first-round flier on him, as his defensive prowess should compensate for his limitations.

But teams that don’t envision him ever growing into any type of offensive threat will likely pass on him until the second round.

Stephen Zimmerman, C, UNLV

Derek Bodner of …

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