2016 NBA Draft Grades and Analysis

2016 NBA Draft Grades 6/24/16

 
#
Team
Player
Pos
Ht
FromAnalysisComp
G
1
76ers
Ben Simmons
PF
6-10LSUAn obvious pick and the right one. Simmons is a game-changing talent who finally brings a superstar to Philly. The Process has paid off and now the Sixers are loaded with talent.
Magic/Draymond
A+
2
Lakers*
Brandon Ingram
SF
6-9DukeI really like Ingram but there are some concerns with his skinny frame. How will he hold up in the NBA? Still, he’s got huge talent and was the clear choice at #2. He’ll get a lot of buckets in L.A and should become a perennial all star.
Paul George/KD
A-
3
Celtics*
Jaylen Brown
SF
6-7CaliforniaBrown has upside but seems like a few years away from putting it all together. A reach at #3 for the Celtics. Could there be a trade still in the works?
Harrison Barnes
C
4
SunsDragan BenderPF7-0CroatiaBender has big upside and at only 18 years old gives the Suns a talented youngster to develop. Could blossom into the 2nd or 3rd best player in this draft.
Pau
A
5
T-Wolves*
Kris Dunn
PG
6-3ProvidenceBig time talent joining the Wolves backcourt, Dunn is an explosive athlete who will bring even more excitement to the young MN roster. A Rudio trade seems inevitable.
longer Eric Bledsoe
A-
6
Pelicans
Buddy Heild
SG
6-5OklahomaHeild is a good fit with the Pelicans but doesn’t have big upside. A three point specialist who needs to develop other aspects of his game. Some bust potential here.
KCP/Brad Beal
B-
7
Nuggets*
Jamal MurrayPG6-5KentuckyA good value at #7, Murray is a nice addition next to Mudiay and will help space the floor for the Nuggets. Murray isn’t a great athlete but he’s super crafty and has a great feel for the game.
Deron Williams/C.J.
A-
8
Suns
Marquese Chriss
PF
6-10
WashingtonUpside pick who is a boom or bust type of prospect. Suns are swinging for the fences and it could pay off.
Markieff/Blake
A
9
Raptors*
Jakob Poeltl
C
7-1UtahSolid (if somewhat boring) pick. Poeltl is a very similar player to Jonas but gives the Raptors good depth up front. Should have a long, solid NBA career.
Alex Len
B
10
Bucks
Thon MakerPF7-1AustraliaI’m pulling for Maker to make it but this is a huge reach at #10…but he fits with what the Bucks are doing, adding length at every position. Seems like he would have been available later in the first round.
Sam Dalembert with a jumper
B-
11
Thunder
Domantas Sabonis
PF
6-10GonzagaI’m not too high on Sabonis but I like the fit in OKC. Sabonis has limited length and doesn’t jump well but brings smarts, heart and hustle. Is he really better than Mitch McGary?
Tyler Hansbrough
B-
12
Hawks*
Taurean Prince
SF
6-7BaylorA bit high for Prince at #12 but should be a solid rotation guy for the Hawks who can help defend King James. Pro-ready player for the win-now Hawks.
DeMarre Carroll
B+
13
Kings
Georgios Papagiannis
C
7-1GreeceI don’t hate big Papa but picking him at #13 seems high. Kings could have traded down farther and still gotten their man. Is the Cousins era nearing an end in Sactown?
Luc Longley
B
14
Bulls
Denzel Valentine
SF
6-6Michigan StateSolid pick for the Bulls, Valentine brings high IQ and winning attitude to the rebuilding Bulls roster.
higher IQ Evan Turner
B+
15
Nuggets*
Juan HernangomezPF6-9SpainFits with what the Nuggets are doing and brings another shooter into the fold.
stronger Luke Babbit
B
16
Celtics
Guerschon Yabusele
PF
6-8
FranceA bit of a reach at #16 but could surprise to the upside. Has nice agility for 270lb player and is developing 3pt range.
Jason Maxiell
B
17
Grizzlies
Wade BaldwinPG6-3VanderbiltA nice upside pick who brings a ton of talent to the Memphis backcourt. If he reaches his potential this is a steal.
longer Monta Ellis
A
18
Pistons
Henry Ellenson
PF
6-10MarquetteA great fit next to Drummond and a good value at #18, Ellenson brings much needed scoring punch to the Pistons.
Tom Gugliotta
A-
19
Nuggets*
Malik Beasley
SG
6-5Florida StateAn underrated player who can really shoot and has NBA athleticism. Very young but could look like a steal 4 years from now.
Allen Crabbe/Eddie Jones
A
20
Nets
Caris LeVert
SG
6-7
MichiganIf he can stay healthy this will look like a nice pick. LeVert has big time talent to add to the Nets youth movement.
Ron Harper/Marty Collins
B+
21
Hawks
DeAndre Bembry
SF
6-6St. JoesAnother nice addition to the line-up, Bembry is a really solid, smart player who fits with what the Hawks are doing.
Aaron Afflalo
A-
22
Kings
Malachi RichardsonSF6-6SyracuseA nice addition on the wing with upside as a scorer. Decent value at this point in the draft.
Willie Burton/Mo Pete
B
23
Celtics
Ante Zizic
PF6-11CroatiaNot the type of pick Celtics fans were hoping for but a few years from now this could look like a draft steal.
longer David Lee
B+
24
76ers*
Timothe Luwawu
SF
6-7FranceA superior athlete with really nice upside, Luwawu gives the Sixers a nice prospect to develop at the SF position. And kudos to the front office for not trading these picks. Great value at this point in the draft.
Rick Fox
A
25
Clippers
Brice Johnson
PF
6-9
North CarolinaJohnson should a solid pro but has limited upside. Will benefit from playing with Chris Paul, who will get him a lot of easy buckets. More
better Al Thornton
C+
26
76ers*
Furkan Korkmaz
SG
6-7TurkeySuper talented scorer who will be a great fit, spacing the floor for Simmons and the young Bigs in Philly. Another value pick.
Kevin Martin
A+
27
Raptors
Pascal Siakam
PF
6-9
New Mexico StateA sleeper prospect, Siakam has great length and impacts both ends of the floor. Should become a solid rotation Big for the Raptors.

Serge Ibaka

A-
28
Kings
Skal Labissiere
PF
7-0KentuckyAn upside pick, Skal might be a bust but his upside is too intriguing to pass this late in the draft.
softer Myles Turner
A-
29
SpursDejounte MurrayPG6-5WashingtonMurray falls into a great situation, getting to develop in the Spurs system. Nice upside pick who brings youth to the aging Spurs roster.
Larry Hughes
A
30
Warriors
Damian Jones
PF
6-11
VanderbiltSolid pick by the Warriors, Jones will bring depth to the front-court and ease the potential loss of Festus.
John Henson
B
by NBA Draft Room