2016 NBA Mock Draft: Can Brandon Ingram pass Ben Simmons for Number One?

Jaylen Brown. 8. player. 81. <p>The Raptors can thank the Knicks here for one of the worst trades of the last decade. Toronto will have a tough choice between several prospects with this pick, and they will need to decide what they really need in order to help them climb the ladder into NBA contention.</p> <p>With that in mind, it might be best simply to take the best player available. Brown is a cut above the rest of the players on the board at this point, with his body and athleticism unmatched by anyone. His versatility playing both forward spots is something the Raptors will be looking for given their push towards small ball this season. Brown can be an adequate replacement for DeMarre Carroll and also play minutes alongside Caroll when the Raptors decide to go smaller and faster. While Brown isn’t the greatest shooter in the world, the Raptors have enough shooting on the roster already between Carroll, Kyle Lowry, and DeMar DeRozan. They would be able to work around Brown’s slashing skill set. His jumper isn’t broken, and given the improvements of guys like Lowry and DeRozan during their time in Toronto, it isn’t out of the question that Brown can develop into at least a league average three point shooter. There is a lot to like outside of that, which is why this spot may be Brown’s floor on draft night.</p>. SF. California