NBA Mock Draft Version 1.1

Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

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The date for underclassmen to declare for the draft has come and passed, so the draft field is fairly realized at this point, making now an excellent time for a mock draft. The order is just based on regular season record and I have taken team need into account for each pick.

1. Philadelphia 76ers- Ben Simmons: F, LSU

Simmons is the best player in this draft. He can do almost everything on the basketball court, score, rebound, pass, dribble, defend you name it. The 76ers are still at the point in their rebuild where they should be drafting best player available and not for fit, although Simmons does fit well as he can come in and be the primary ball handler. The one thing that Philly really needs that Simmons does not bring to the table is shooting. Simmons has almost no range outside of 5 feet. But that can be improved.

NBA Comparison: Lamar Odom

2. Los Angeles Lakers- Brandon Ingram: F, Duke

Ingram garnered some hype this year and he could challenge Simmons for the top pick. Ingram has the potential to be a prolific scorer in the NBA, many people have compared him to Kevin Durant. Ingram will probably never be that good, but the star potential is there. He would be a great fit on a Laker team that needs scoring and shooting.

NBA Comparison: Tayshaun Prince

3. Boston Celtics (from Brooklyn Nets)- Dragan Bender: F, Maccabi Tel Aviv (Israel)

Bender is big, can shoot from distance, and has an incredible motor. In an offseason where the Celtics could lose Jared Sullinger, Amir Johnson, and Jonas Jerebko, they could use another big man who can come and stretch the floor.

NBA Comparison: A mix of Kristaps Porzingis and Boris Diaw

4. Phoenix Suns- Jaylen Brown: F, California

If this was any other team, I would have Jamal Murray or Buddy Hield at this spot. However, the Suns are already ripe with guards with Eric Bledsoe, Brandon Knight, Devin Booker, and Archie Goodwin. What they really lack is a power forward to fit with their young core. Brown is raw, but he has the athleticism that could allow him to become a solid player in the NBA.

NBA Comparison: Harrison Barnes

5. Minnesota Timberwolves- Jamal Murray: G, Kentucky

The Timberwolves have one of the most promising young cores in the league. With the last two number one picks on their roster, Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns, they seem to be sitting pretty for the future with new coach Tom Thibodeau. Murray would fit in the back court nicely, as he could play next to both Ricky Rubio and Zach Lavine at either the 1 or the 2. Murray brings outside shooting that the Timberwolves sorely need as well.

NBA Comparison: Brandon Roy

6. New Orleans Pelicans- Buddy Hield: G, Oklahoma

The Pelicans have been struggling to build a competitive team around Anthony Davis. They made the playoffs last season, and probably would have competed for the 8th seed again this year if it wasn’t for all their injuries. Buddy Hield fits in their win-soon timeframe as he can come in and immediately contribute. Eric Gordon is a free agent this offseason and Hield’s skillset is very similar to Gordon’s so he could come in and make up that production and possibly be a building block for the future.

NBA Comparison: Bradley Beal

7. Denver Nuggets- Kris Dunn: G, Providence

There’s no perfect fit at this point in the draft for the Nuggets, so I would not be surprised if they traded down. Even though the Nuggets drafted point guard Emmanuel Mudiay in the first round last year, they could use another guard. Dunn is a solid playmaker and could come in and make a positive impact on a Nuggets team still looking for an identity.

NBA Comparison: Damian Lillard

8. Sacramento Kings- Henry Ellenson: F, Marquette

The Kings would have loved Dunn to fall one more pick to them at number 8, but Ellenson is the best player left on the board, and would fit well with both Demarcus Cousins and Willie Caulie-Stein. He can shoot, rebound, and even create his own shot a little.

NBA Comparison: Mix of Chris Bosh and Kevin Love

9. Toronto Raptors (from New York Knicks)- Skal Labissiere: F/C, Kentucky

The Raptors will be thrilled if Ellenson drops to them at 9. The one piece they are missing is a power forward who can stretch the floor and rebound. However, Labissiere is a nice consolation prize. He is big, can block shots, and stretch the floor. The only question with him is his rebounding ability.

NBA Comparison: John Henson with a jump-shot

10. Milwaukee Bucks- Jakob Poeltl: C, Utah

With the Greg Monroe experiment proving to be a bust, I would not be surprised to see the Bucks draft a center and try to move Monroe during the offseason. Poeltl has shown that he can rebound, score, and protect the rim and he has excellent size for the center position.

NBA Comparison: Jonas Valanciunas

11. Orlando Magic- Timothe Luwawu: G/F, Mega Leks

Luwawu has the potential to be a prototypical wing in the NBA. He can shoot, defend, and distribute. He needs to work on his playmaking ability, but he would be a great fit on the Magic where he can provide some much needed floor spacing.

NBA Comparison: Danny Green

12. Utah Jazz- Demetrius Jackson: G, Notre Dame

If this season proved anything to the Jazz, it’s that they need another point guard on the roster. When Dante Exum went down, they were left without a truly competent point guard for most of the year. Jackson could come in and be a back-up to Exum and possibly challenge him for minutes.

13. Phoenix Suns- Marquese Chriss: F, Washington

With their second lottery pick, Phoenix looks for potential and Chriss has a ton of it. An athletic forward who has shown some range would be a great fit for the Suns.

NBA Comparison: A more athletic Tobias Harris

14. Chicago Bulls- Wade Baldwin: G, Vanderbilt

The Bulls need at least a backup point guard, if not a point guard of the future. Baldwin has shown potential to be a legitimate scorer and a decent distributor from the point guard position.

NBA Comparison: Eric Bledsoe

15. Denver Nuggets- Furkan Korkmaz: G, Anadolu Efes

NBA Comparison: J.J. Redick

16. Boston Celtics-  Denzel Valentine: G/F, Michigan State

NBA Comparison: Nicolas Batum

17. Memphis Grizzlies- Deyonta Davis: F/C, Michigan State

NBA Comparison: Serge Ibaka before he started shooting threes

18. Detroit Pistons- Tyler Ulis: G, Kentucky

NBA Comparison: A tiny Chris Paul

19. Denver Nuggets- Malik Beasley: G, Florida State

NBA Comparison- Arron Afflalo

20. Indiana Pacers- Domantas Saboins: F/C, Gonzaga

NBA Comparison: Julius Randle

21. Atlanta Hawks- Taurean Prince: F, Baylor

NBA Comparison: Marcus Morris

22. Charlotte Hornets- Diamond Stone: C, Maryland

NBA Comparison: Gorgui Dieng

23. Boston Celtics- Ante Zizc: C, Cibona Zagreb

NBA Comparison: Marcin Gortat

24. Philadelphia 76ers- Thon Maker: F/C, High School

NBA Comparison: Terrence Jones

25. Los Angeles Clippers- Damian Jones: C, Vanderbilt

NBA Comparison: Bismack Biyombo

26. Philadelphia 76ers- Ivica Zubac: C, Mega Leks

NBA Comparison: Jusuf Nurkic

27. Toronto Raptors- Deandre Bembry: G/F, Saint Joseph’s

NBA Comparison: Demar Derozan

28. Phoenix Suns- Zhou Qi: C, Xinjiang

NBA Comparison: John Henson

29. San Antonio Spurs- Stephen Zimmerman: C, UNLV

NBA Comparison: Brook Lopez

30. Golden State Warriors- Brice Johnson: F, North Carolina

NBA Comparison: Kenneth Faried

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