2016 NBA Mock Draft

With the Finals being over it's time to shift your attention to the draft. Five teams the 76ers, Celtics, Suns, Raptors, and Nuggets all have two or three first round picks making up for more than a third of the first round selections. A load of one-and-done players will go in the lottery based solely on potential while just one or two proven four-year college players will be. Ben Simmons and Brandon Ingram are the best of those one-and-done prospects and presubely will be the first two players to hear their named called by commissioner Adam Silver. But the real drama and excitement of the draft won't start until the Boston Celtics are on the clock with the third selection.

Here is my mock draft of the 1st round of the 2016 NBA Draft:

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

Sam Hinkie wanted fans to "trust the process" and all of the tanking finally pays off with the selection of Simmons.

2.Los Angeles Lakers: Brandon Ingram, SF, Duke

LA would love for Ben Simmons to fall to them here but they'll have to settle for Ingram. He's the perfect fit at the small forward position for the Lakers young roster.

3. Boston Celtics: Dragan Bender, PF, Croatia

At just 18 years old Bender is top draft prospect that didn't play college basketball last season. If the Celtics keep this pick they want to draft the best long-term prospect and Bender is the best available.

4. Phoenix Suns: Marquese Chriss, PF, Washington

With a young core of Eric Bledsoe, Devin Booker and Alex Len Chriss will be able to grow as a player with them. He's an athletic forward that can stretch the floor, block shots, and run like a wing player.

5. Minnesota Timberwolves: Jamal Murray, PG/SG, Kentucky

The Timberwolves need shooting and Murray is one of the best shooters in the draft. In a recent draft workout he made 79 of 100 three pointers.

6. New Orleans Pelicans: Buddy Hield, SG, Oklahoma

Since drafting franchise cornerstone Anthony Davis the Pelicans have been searching for player to pair with him. A Buddy Hield and Anthony Davis pick and roll is something that NBA teams would fear.

7. Denver Nuggets: Jaylen Brown, SG, California

Brown is one of the most talented players in this years draft but may still be available here for the Nuggets because of his undeveloped jump shot.

8. Sacramento Kings: Kris Dunn, PG, Providence

Dunn is the best point guard in this years draft and will be ready to step in and start for the Kings on opening night.

9. Toronto Raptors: Skal Labissiere, PF/C, Kentucky

Labissiere was once considered to be the number one pick but struggled in his lone season at Kentucky.

10.Milwaukee Bucks: Henry Ellenson, PF, Marquette

Jason Kidd wants a point guard here but there's not one worthy of being selected here. Ellenson is the prototypical stretch-four at 6'10" and 245 lbs.

11. Orlando Magic: Deyonta Davis, PF/C, Michigan State

Davis game of the offensive end is nothing more than finishing lobs but on the defensive end he's a great shot blocker

12. Utah Jazz: Denzel Valentine, SG/SF, Michigan State

The Michigan State star has a polished game and NBA teams know what they are going to get if they select him.

13. Phoenix Suns: Timothe Luwawu, SG/SF, France

Luwawu is the type of wing player every NBA team wants now he can defend and shoot the three.

14. Chicago Bulls: Jakob Poeltl, C, Utah

With Pau Gasol and Joakim Noah possibly not returning to Chicago next season the team has to draft reinforcements for their frontline.

15. Denver Nuggets: Furkan Kormaz, SG, Turkey

Kormaz thought about pulling his name from this years draft but decided to stay in as he's one of the best shooters available.

16. Boston Celtics: Ante Zizic, C, Croatia

Boston has a load of picks and picking an international player like Zizic gives them the option to leave him overseas for a season or two.

17. Memphis Grizzlies: Domantas Sabonis, PF, Gonzaga

Sabonis will be able to come into the league and instantly make an impact with solid fundamentals high motor.

18. Detroit Pistons: Taurean Prince, SF, Baylor

Prince is a 6'8" wing that the Pistons desperately need because of his ability to defend multiple positions.

19. Denver Nuggets: Ivica Zubac, C, Croatia

Denver has a total of five draft picks in the 2016 and will look to draft and stash a view players. At just 19 years old there is no need to rush Zubac over to the NBA.

20. Indiana Pacers: Brice Johnson, PF/C, North Carolina

Johnson can slide right in and start beside Myles Turner who spaces the floor.

21. Atlanta Hawks: Malachi Richardson, SG, Syracuse

Before the NCAA tournament Richardson wasn't on many teams draft radars. He was able to lead Syracuse to the FInal Four put himself in position to be selected in the 1st round.

22. Charlotte Hornets: Malik Beasley, SG, Florida State

Beasley is a scorer and that's want the Hornets need in their backcourt.

23. Boston Celtics: Thon Maker, C, Australia

Maker will be the first player selected straight out high school since the 2005 NBA Draft.

24.Philadelphia 76ers: Dejounte Murray, PG/SG, Washington

Philly had one of the worst backcourts in the NBA last year the selection of Murray is an instant upgrade.

25.Los Angeles Clippers: DeAndre Bembry, SF, Saint Joseph's

As the Clippers GM Doc Rivers has struggled drafting players. Bembry will look to change Rivers draft luck

26. Philadelphia 76ers: Tyler Ulis, PG, Kentucky

Philly gets another backcourt player with the selection of Ulis.

27. Toronto Raptors: Cheick Diallo, PF, Kansas

Diallo missed the first part of season last year because of an NCAA investigation which caused the once projected lottery pick to slide to the back end of the first round.

28. Phoenix Suns: Ben Bentil, PF, Providence

Bentil is a versatile big that adds depth to the Suns frontcourt.

29. San Antonio Spurs: Malcolm Brogdon, SG, Virginia

Brogdon is a two-way player that would be a natural fit in the Spurs systems with his ability to shoot the three ball, pass, and handle the ball.

30. Golden State Warriors: Stephen Zimmerman, C, UNLV

With Andrew Bogut being injury prone and Festus Ezeli entering free agency the Warriors get a big man that they can develop into their next starting center.