2016 NBA Mock Draft: High schooler Thon Maker to Toronto
Chris Stone
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 25: A displays the first 30 picks at the end of the First Round of the 2015 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 25, 2015 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Apr 2, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Buddy Hield (24) works around the defense of Villanova Wildcats guard Phil Booth (5) during the first half in the 2016 NCAA Men[/caption]
The NCAA Tournament finished with a bang on Monday night as North Carolina’s Marcus Paige knocked down a double-clutch three-pointer to tie the national title game just before Villanova’s Kris Jenkins nailed a true buzzer-beater to crush the dreams of the Tar Heel faithful. Jenkins’ three-ball marked the end of the Madness, a month long affair that helped bolster the NBA draft stock of many of its participants. Players like Tyler Ulis, Brice Johnson and Buddy Hield took advantage of the national attention to make themselves household names with big time performances on the sport’s most notable stage.
The end of the tournament means it is time to turn our full attention toward analyzing this year’s draft prospects. The draft’s new entry rules have received mixed reviews from NBA front offices, but there’s no doubt they have opened the door for more borderline prospects to declare for the draft in order to receive additional feedback. With the larger player pool, NBA teams have more options than ever to examine before making a decision. Let’s take a look (using Monday’s NBA standings) at how the first round could go down.
Mar 12, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; LSU Tigers forward Ben Simmons (25) controls the ball in the first half against the Texas A&M Aggies during the SEC conference tournament at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Next: 2. Los Angeles Lakers
March 24, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Brandon Ingram (14) dunks to score a basket against Oregon Ducks during the second half of the semifinal game in the West regional of the NCAA Tournament at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Next: 3. Phoenix Suns
Dragan Bender, a professional Croatian basketball player currently playing for Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Israeli Basketball Super League attends a training session at the Menora Mivtachim Arena in Tel Aviv on March 16, 2016.Bender’s name is not yet well known beyond hardcore basketball fans, but that may soon change. Bender is expected to be highly sought after by US professional basketball teams in the coming months./ AFP / JACK GUEZ (Photo credit should read JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images)
Next: 4. Boston Celtics
Mar 16, 2016; Des Moines, IA, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Jamal Murray (23) shoots the ball during a practice day before the first round of the NCAA men
Next: 5. Minnesota Timberwolves
Mar 2, 2016; Providence, RI, USA; Providence Friars guard Kris Dunn (3) dribbles the ball against Creighton Bluejays forward Cole Huff (right) during the second half at Dunkin Donuts Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Next: 6. New Orleans Pelicans
Mar 5, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Utes forward Jakob Poeltl (42) dribbles the ball as Colorado Buffaloes forward Wesley Gordon (1) defends during the second half at Jon M. Huntsman Center. Utah won 57-55. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Next: 7. Denver Nuggets
March 26, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Buddy Hield (24) moves in to score a basket against Oregon Ducks during the second half of the West regional final of the NCAA Tournament at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Next: 8. Sacramento Kings
March 18, 2016; Spokane , WA, USA; California Golden Bears forward Jaylen Brown (0) moves to the basket against Hawaii Rainbow Warriors guard Aaron Valdes (32) during the first half of the first round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Next: 9. Toronto Raptors
Mar 1, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Marquette Golden Eagles forward Henry Ellenson (13) dribbles the ball as Georgetown Hoyas forward Isaac Copeland (11) defends during the second half at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Marquette won 88-87. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Next: 10. Milwaukee Bucks
Mar 25, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Demetrius Jackson (11) and Wisconsin Badgers guard Bronson Koenig (24) react after a semifinal game in the East regional of the NCAA Tournament at Wells Fargo Center. Notre Dame won 61-56. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Next: 11. Orlando Magic
Sep 29, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic general manager Rob Hennigan talks with media during media day at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Next: 12. Phoenix Suns
March 18, 2016; Spokane , WA, USA; California Golden Bears forward Ivan Rabb (1) controls the ball against Hawaii Rainbow Warriors guard Sai Tummala (12) during the first half of the first round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Next: 13. Houston Rockets
March 10, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Washington Huskies forward Marquese Chriss (0) shoots the basketball against Oregon Ducks forward Chris Boucher (25) during the first half of the Pac-12 Conference tournament at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Next: 14. Chicago Bulls
Mar 19, 2016; Des Moines, IA, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Tyler Ulis (3) passes the ball against Indiana Hoosiers guard Yogi Ferrell (11) in the first half during the second round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Next: 15. Utah Jazz
Mar 15, 2016; Dayton, OH, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores guard Wade Baldwin IV (4) dribbles the ball during the first half against the Wichita State Shockers of First Four of the NCAA men
Next: 16. Boston Celtics
Mar 17, 2016; Des Moines, IA, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Skal Labissiere (1) handles the ball against Stony Brook Seawolves forward Jameel Warney (20) during the first half in the first round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Next: 17. Denver Nuggets
Feb 6, 2016; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Deyonta Davis (23) dunks on Michigan Wolverines forward Ricky Doyle (32) in the first half at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Next: 18. Detroit Pistons
Mar 13, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Denzel Valentine (45) is guarded by Purdue Boilermakers guard P.J. Thompson (3) during the Big Ten conference tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Michigan State defeats Purdue 66-62. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Next: 19. Indiana Pacers
ISTANBUL, TURKEY – DECEMBER 30: Furkan Korkmaz,
Next: 20. Memphis Grizzlies
Next: 21. Charlotte Hornets
Mar 16, 2016; Providence , RI, USA; Baylor
Next: 22. Philadelphia 76ers
Feb 18, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Dejounte Murray (5) looks to pass the ball while being guarded by California Golden Bears guard Sam Singer (2) during the second half at Alaska Airlines Arena. California Golden Bears defeated the Washington Huskies 78-75. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
Next: 23. Atlanta Hawks
Mar 9, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Florida State Seminoles guard Malik Beasley (5) shoots the ball over Virginia Tech Hokies forward Zach LeDay (32) and Hokies guard Seth Allen (4) in the first half during day two of the ACC conference tournament at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Next: 24. Boston Celtics
March 20, 2016; Spokane , WA, USA; Maryland Terrapins center Diamond Stone (33) moves to the basket against Hawaii Rainbow Warriors forward Stefan Jankovic (33) during the second half in the second round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Next: 25. Los Angeles Clippers
Mar 5, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego State Aztecs forward Angelo Chol (3) and UNLV Rebels forward Stephen Zimmerman Jr (33) battle for a rebound at Viejas Arena at Aztec Bowl. The Aztecs won 92-56. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Next: 26. Toronto Raptors
TORONTO – APRIL 14 – Thon Maker sticks with it for the put back as Jerome Desrosiers (22) and Eddie Ekiyor (15) try to play defence. The Biosteel All Canadian basketball game 1st half action showcasing some of the country’s top basketball players at Ryerson University’s Mattamy Athletic Centre on April 14, 2015. (Rick Madonik/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
Next: 27. Philadelphia 76ers
Dec 7, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers general manager Sam Hinkie speaks to the media during a press conference to introduce Jerry Colangelo (not pictured) as special advisor before a game against the San Antonio Spurs at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Next: 28. Phoenix Suns
BOSTON – NOVEMBER 17: Before game time, Suns general manager Ryan McDonough, center, chats with Celtics co-owner Steve Pagliuca, left, and Sean Grande, the voice of the Celtics. Pagliuca shares video of his son’s Saturday Duke game against Fairfield. The Boston Celtics host the Phoenix Suns, at the TD Garden, on Monday, November 17, 2014. (Photo by Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
Next: 29. San Antonio Spurs
Apr 5, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich reacts during the first quarter against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Next: 30. Golden State Warriors
Mar 23, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Maryland Terrapins guard Melo Trimble (2) handles the ball during practice the day before the semifinals of the South regional of the NCAA Tournament at KFC YUM!. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Chris Stone
A Kansas transplant living in Washington DC, I primarily write about college basketball and the NBA Draft.
