The NBA Draft was underway June 23rd, 2016. On this day, 60 young college and international basketball players lives were changed forever. Big names like Ben Simmons and Brandon Ingram are young athletes that everyone can't wait to see hit the big stage of the NBA. With all of the hype that surrounds these future all-stars, what real impact could they make in their first year of the NBA?
*(PPG= Points per game, RPG= Rebounds per game, APG= Assists per game)
Ben Simmons
Team: Philadelphia 76ers
Ben Simmons is one of the most athletic and promising young athletes. At only 19 he was drafted #1 and is already drawing comparisons to Lebron and Magic Johnson. His work ethic and teammates will determine his ceiling.
Dream: Simmons becomes the lead star on a broken 76ers team, and helps them improve by spreading the ball as a 'Point-Forward'. Also, he wins the Rookie of the Year in a landslide.
12.4 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 7.2 APG
Nightmare: Simmons is joining the youngest team in the NBA and probably the most dysfunctional. He falls into chaos as the child of the 76ers and loses development in his first year due to his lack of a consistent jump-shot.
8.6 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 5.3 APG
Brandon Ingram
Team: Los Angeles Lakers
Ingram is very slight in frame but has high scoring potential. Not to mention he is ONLY 18 years old! He still has a lot to develop in his game but with a young Lakers lineup that needs scoring, he'll be a perfect addition.
Dream: Ingram adds a creative and versatile scoring element to a young Lakers team. Adds about 15 pounds of weight to his tiny frame and begins showing glimpses of a true NBA scoring talent.
15 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 5.2 APG
Nightmare: I've already said it twice... but Ingram is tiny. At 6'9 he's only 190 pounds, this causes injury issues for the young Laker and he misses multiple games in his rookie year and lacking a defensive game at the Small Forward spot; gets destroyed by older, elite NBA talent.
9.5 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 4.8 APG
(Misses 30 Games due to injury)
Chavano Rainier "Buddy" Hield
Team: New Orleans Pelicans
"Buddy" has already shown his talents of sharpshooting and dropping HUGE numbers in the scoring column at Oklahoma. His elite scoring and high basketball IQ will make a great addition to any NBA team. With him and Anthony Davis in the starting lineup for the Pelicans, they can make a strong resurgence this year.
Dream: Hield adds a consistent scoring option for the Pelicans and helps pull the defense away from fellow teammate Anthony Davis. Davis returns to All-Star form, and Hield becomes a legitimate contributor.
13.5 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 4 APG, 40% from 3-Point Range
Nightmare: Worry's that Hield 'peaked in college' were correct. He adds a depth of three point shooting to the team but lacks development in defense and athleticism.
9.3 PPG, 1.7 RPG, 3.6 APG, 32% from 3-Point Range
Kris Dunn
Team: Minnesota Timberwolves
Dunn's elite passing ability and explosiveness at the point guard position provides a key addition to a young and upcoming Minnesota team. Dunn is one of the most promising players in this draft and has little to no bust potential with the Timberwolves. He could be the next big thing in the Minnesota.
Dream: The Minnesota Timberwolves just created a big three. Watch out. With young stars like Wiggins and Anthony-Towns, Dunn's assists lead all Rookies and he begins showing his best Chris Paul impression to the world.
11 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 9.6 APG
Nightmare: Dunn's skill is shown in Minnesota but overshadowed by other young talent like Wiggins, Anthony-Towns, and Lavine. Also, his shoulder injuries that held him back at Providence occur once more in the NBA.
7.6 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 6.2 APG
Many of these young stars may take years to fully develop, but their true impact can't be measured in just one year. It will be very interesting to see how quickly and exponentially they grow and improve in the NBA.
