2016 NBA Mock Draft: Who Will Timberwolves Take at #5?
By Ben Beecken
Welcome to the first edition of the 2016 Dunking With Wolves mock draft. We went ahead and took a stab at the entire first round as we’re now within three weeks of the big day.
Just a year ago, we correctly predicted six of the first 15 draft selections on the nose in our first run at this, and had another four players slotted just one spot away from where they were ultimately picked.
We’ll do at least one more of these in about two weeks, and there’s certainly a chance that there will be some trades and rumored promises that will have taken place in the interim.
Enjoy, and stay tuned for more Wolves-related draft content.
1. Philadelphia 76ers
Ben Simmons . 1. player. 93. Simmons has been the consensus #1 overall pick for a full year, and he still has the highest ceiling of any player in this draft. The 76ers won’t overthink this one.. SF. LSU
2. Los Angeles Lakers
20. Ingram is the clear-cut second-best player in this draft, and the talent-bare Lakers need a go-to guy at the forward spot. Ingram boosts the roster’s talent level in a real way.. SF. Duke. Brandon Ingram . 2. player
3. Boston Celtics
18. The Celtics reportedly like Dunn, but I’m slotting him here because I think it’s more likely that a different franchise trades up to this spot to jump in front of Minnesota — and every other team that is apparently falling in love with Dunn’s upside.. PG. Providence. Kris Dunn . 3. player
4. Phoenix Suns
66. The Suns are in a tough spot, as their back court is fairly full but the team simply isn’t very good. They’ll go with either Bender or Marquese Chriss here.. PF. Israel. Dragan Bender . 4. player
5. Minnesota Timberwolves
player. 86. If Bender or Dunn are on the board, one of them would be the pick. If not, it’ll either be traded or the safe, sensible selection will be made in Hield, who will add shooting and be a rotation player immediately for Tom Thibodeau’s Wolves.. SG. Oklahoma. Buddy Hield . 5
Next: Picks 6-10