Fansided

2016 NBA Draft: where are they now?

By Brandon Jefferson

TORONTO, ON - MAY 7: Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons (25) reaches in on Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (43). Toronto Raptors vs Philadelphia 76ers in1st half action of Round 2, Game 5 of NBA playoff play at Scotiabank Arena. Raptors win 125-89 and now lead series 3-2. Toronto Star/Rick Madonik (Rick Madonik/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - MAY 7: Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons (25) reaches in on Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (43). Toronto Raptors vs Philadelphia 76ers in1st half action of Round 2, Game 5 of NBA playoff play at Scotiabank Arena. Raptors win 125-89 and now lead series 3-2. Toronto Star/Rick Madonik (Rick Madonik/Toronto Star via Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 23: Marquese Chriss poses with Commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted eighth overall by the Sacramento Kings in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 23, 2016 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 Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 23: Marquese Chriss poses with Commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted eighth overall by the Sacramento Kings in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 23, 2016 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 Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

8. Marquese Chriss, Sacramento Kings

Marquese Chriss was one of the risers during the 2016 NBA Draft process. Coming out of Washington, Chriss was an unheralded high school recruit but in one season in the Pac 12 the Sacramento native was someone who was projected to be a lottery pick by the time draft night rolled around. Turned out that the hometown team, the Sacramento Kings, would be the team that selected Chriss. However, the homecoming angle wouldn’t last long as the Kings would trade Chriss to the Phoenix Suns as part of a multi-pick draft swap.

We mentioned earlier about how the Suns were attempting to find the right pieces to surround Devin Booker with as they attempted to get out of the basement of the NBA standings. Bender along with Chriss was supposed to be the frontcourt tandem that made life easier for Booker. Bender would be the offensive compliment and Chriss would be their anchor defensively, while also bringing a vertical game that no other player on Phoenix’s roster could match. As shown by using two lottery picks, the Suns were very invested in getting the most out of Chriss and Bender.

Chriss’ rookie year was much better than Bender’s entire career as a member of the Suns. He was selected as a member of the All-Rookie team, he started in 75 of the 82 games he played that year and looked like the player Phoenix was most likely to keep around as they tried to re-work the roster to better fit around Booker. In light of Phoenix finishing with a one-win improvement in 2016-17, Chriss’ first season could be construed as a step in the right direction for the franchise.

Currently, Chriss is on his third team in two seasons and finished the 2018-19 season in the abyss known as the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Houston Rockets traded for Chriss and there were expectations that he could become a broke man’s Clint Capela while there but that quickly flamed out. He was then moved to the Cavaliers and he didn’t do anything there to rehabilitate his image around the league. Like Bender, Chriss could find himself out of the NBA entirely sooner than later.

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