2016 NBA Draft: First-Round Mock

1. Philadelphia 76ers: F Ben Simmons, LSU

Personally, I think Brandon Ingram is the better player and makes more sense for the 76ers' roster. That being said, all reports are indicating that the team is enamored with Simmons and he will almost assuredly be the pick.

2. Los Angeles Lakers: G Brandon Ingram, Duke

Yesterday, reports indicated that the Lakers were extremely high on Kris Dunn in this spot, but that would be a mistake. Ingram has superstar potential with his length and ability at guard while standing 6-foot-9. He just needs to put on some weight.

3. Boston Celtics: G Buddy Hield, Oklahoma

The Celtics are in win-now mode and Hield has the offensive game best suited to succeed in the NBA immediately. He may lack a bit on the defensive end, but the Celtics have the pieces to acquire a true rim protector through trade or free agency.

4. Phoenix Suns: G Jaylen Brown, California

Brown is an athletic freak and would give the Suns some much needed help on the wing. At 6-foot-7, Brown has the potential to be a great defender and he's not afraid to get into the paint and rebound.

5. Minnesota Timberwolves: G Kris Dunn, Providence

Kris Dunn is a better scorer and better defender than current starting point guard Ricky Rubio. He's not quite as good at distributing, but it's still a strength in his game. With Tom Thibodeau in charge, he could prefer Dunn over Rubio.

6. New Orleans Pelicans: C Jakob Poeltl, Utah

The Omer Asik experiment at center must be ended immediately and it could happen through the draft with Poeltl. The Austrian is a great defender and rebounder and he is developing a solid offensive repertoire.

7. Denver Nuggets: G Denzel Valentine, Michigan State

The Nuggets have depth in the front-court, but the back-court is rather thin. Emmanuel Mudiay looks to be progressing and Will Barton is a great sixth-man, but I'm not sure Gary Harris is the answer at the two.

8. Sacramento Kings: G Jamal Murray, Kentucky

Ben McLemore just hasn't been the impact player the Kings thought he would be coming out of college. Drafting Murray would be a significant upgrade at the two-guard position.

9. Toronto Raptors: F Dragan Bender, Israel

The Raptors will likely lose DeMar DeRozan during free agency which could force them to target a shooting guard here, but I believe they'll fill that need elsewhere. Bender is the exact type of risk that Masai Ujiri is willing to take.

10. Milwaukee Bucks: PF/C Henry Ellenson, Marquette

It would be nice to see Ellenson end up with the hometown Bucks. Greg Monroe has been a massive disappointment at center for Jason Kidd's club which is why Ellenson would make a ton of sense.

11. Orlando Magic: G/F Timothe Liwawu, France

The Magic really have a nice nucleus with Elfrid Payton, Victor Oladipo, Aaron Gordon and Nikola Vucevic, but they desperately need help on the wing. Liwawu is a brilliant offensive player who has the length to be solid defensively as well.

12. Utah Jazz: G Tyler Ulis, Kentucky

Ulis may be undersized, but he's a significant upgrade over Shelvin Mack who started at point guard for the Jazz following the All-Star break last season. There's a lot to like about this team and Ulis could help push them into the playoffs.

13. Phoenix Suns: F Skal Labissiere, Kentucky

Preferably, there would be a big man at this point that was more ready for the NBA, but there just isn't one available. Labissiere has a ways to go, but he might have the biggest upside of any player in this draft.

14. Chicago Bulls: PF/C Deyonta Davis, Michigan State

The Bulls hired Fred Hoiberg to fix a horrid offensive team and it ended up backfiring as the offense didn't improve enough to make up for the lack of defense. The Bulls were especially bad against opposing big men which is why Davis is intriguing.

15. Denver Nuggets: G/F Furkan Korkmaz, Turkey

The Nuggets possess three first-round picks and it's unlikely that all three will end up on the roster next season. Korkmaz is a knockdown 3-point shooter, but he's only 18 so the Nuggets could keep him in Europe for a few years.

16. Boston Celtics: F Domantas Sabonis, Gonzaga

Sabonis still has a ways to go offensively, but he's a hustler, he's tough and has a great basketball IQ. The talent is there for him to become an impact offensive player in a few years and the Celtics desperately need help at power forward.

17. Memphis Grizzlies: G Demetrius Jackson, Notre Dame

Jackson is a floor general and a leader at the point guard position and he also plays with a chip on his shoulder. He's a solid passer and can knock down the three and would be a nice replacement for Mike Conley who is a free agent.

18. Detroit Pistons: F Marquese Chriss, Washington

Chriss is still extremely raw, but the Pistons desperately need depth behind Marcus Morris and Tobias Harris at the small forward and power forward positions. Chriss has a 7-foot wingspan which should help him be a solid defender in the NBA.

19. Denver Nuggets: SF Taurean Prince, Baylor

Prince was the leading scorer for Baylor and has about every offensive skill in the book. He's a willing rebounder, averaged more than a steal per game and almost a block per game during his senior year. Prince would give Denver a boost on the wing.

20. Indiana Pacers: G Wade Baldwin IV, Vanderbilt

Personally, I'd like to see the Pacers move Monta Ellis to point guard and let him have the ball in his hands a little more. If they do that, Baldwin is big enough and can knock down enough shots to play two-guard, but he can also play the point.

21. Atlanta Hawks: C A.J. Hammons, Purdue

The Hawks could possibly lose Al Horford to free agency which would leave an opening at center. Hammons is a 7-foot shot-blocking monster who has gotten better offensively each year in college.

22. Charlotte Hornets: G Malik Beasley, Florida State

There are a lot of questions surrounding the health of Michael Kidd-Gilchrist's shoulder which could make adding someone like Beasley a priority. He's long and he can knock down the outside shot. Could be a solid player for the Hornets.

23. Boston Celtics: C Ivica Zubac, Croatia

The Celtics have three first-round picks and five second-rounders. There's zero chance that they are able to roster eight players from this draft. Taking a flier on Zubac who has great potential but could be stashed in Europe, is ideal.

24. Philadelphia 76ers: G Malcolm Brogdon, Virginia

The 76ers are pretty much set in the frontcourt for years to come, so adding a player like Brogdon would help boost the backcourt. He can create his own shot, can knock down the three and is a terrific defender.

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

The Clippers could use some depth in the frontcourt, but Cole Aldrich really showed well last season. Adding someone like Bembry who can play on the wing and in the backcourt could be beneficial especially if he can develop a more consistent shot.

26. Philadelphia 76ers: C Ante Zizic, Croatia

The 76ers are obviously devoid of talent, but that doesn't mean that all three of their first-round picks will be able to make an impact on the roster in 2016. Might make sense to take a high-upside player like Zizic and develop him in Europe.

27. Toronto Raptors: F Brice Johnson, North Carolina

The Raptors have a big need at power forward and Johnson could be the answer at that position for years to come. He made a huge leap from his junior to senior year at UNC and he's just scratching the surface of his potential.

28. Phoenix Suns: F Ben Bentil, Providence

There aren't a whole lot of power forwards in this draft with the combination of range and rebounding that Bentil brings to the table. He's the prototypical stretch-four and could even slide down to the three in bigger lineups.

29. San Antonio Spurs: F Juan Hernangomez, Spain

We all know how the Spurs like international talent and they could choose to go after another one in Hernangomez to save some cap room. Hernangomez can play the three or the four, but he's raw and needs another year or two in Europe.

30. Golden State Warriors: C Stephen Zimmerman, UNLV

With more seasoning, Zimmerman could be the perfect center for the Warriors. He has a 7-foot-3 wingspan and is already a great shot blocker and rebounder. He has the ability to get up and down the floor which would fit perfectly in this offense.