2016 NBA Mock Draft – Part Two: Who Will Timberwolves Take?
By Ben Beecken
Welcome to the second version of the 2016 Dunking With Wolves NBA Mock Draft.
A little over 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 also took a shot at the first round a couple of weeks ago in Version One. We’ve made a few updates since then, and it’s certainly on the table that all thirty of the below picks will be spot-on.
Enjoy.
1. Philadelphia 76ers
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. Just a few days prior to the draft, it appears almost certain that the Sixers will stick with Simmons.. SF. LSU. Ben Simmons . 1. player
2. Los Angeles Lakers
SF. Duke. Brandon Ingram . 2. player. 20. Ingram is the clear-cut second-best player in this draft (first on some folks’ boards, including yours truly). He could be a star, and fast, and he’ll look good in Lakers’ purple and gold. Now, will they trade D’Angelo Russell for another top pick?
3. Boston Celtics
PG. Providence. Kris Dunn . 3. player. 18. It’s looking less and less likely that the Celtics will take Dunn with this pick, but I remain convinced that they’ll ultimately trade the selection to a team that covets the Providence point guard. Jaylen Brown and Marquese Chriss are potential boom-or-bust, home run-type selections here, but the Celtics will play it smart and move the pick.
4. Phoenix Suns
It’s still either Dragan Bender or Chriss, and while they’re both teenagers with huge upside, they’ll go with the player they deem to have the higher ceiling.. PF. Washington. Marquese Chriss . 4. player. 66
5. Minnesota Timberwolves
SG. Kentucky. Jamal Murray . 5. player. 86. Dragan Bender and Buddy Hield are the other two possibilities here, and it would be tough to see Minnesota pass on the upside and roster fit that Bender would provide. It seems likely that the Wolves will lean Murray over Hield if both are on the board, however.
Next: Picks 6-10