NBA Draft Top 6 Picks

The 2016 NBA Draft is a 2 horse race. LSU’s Ben Simmons and Duke’s Brandon Ingram are a lock for the 1st and 2nd picks. The question that does still remain, is who will be selected first.

All signs point to Ben Simmons being taken as the 1st pick in the draft, and its been that way since he was in high school. Playing 1 year at college was merely a formality for Simmons on his way to the NBA, a necessity for him to achieve his goal. If the rules had stayed the same, Simmons would likely have been a top 3 pick in last years draft coming straight out of high school, with the likes of Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Kevin Garnett before him.

Brandon Ingram though, is a different story altogether. Playing under Coach K at Duke, Ingram developed his game and was able to shine through as a true offensive force, with a sweet stroke and the mentality to go with it.

Keeping this in mind, how the top 5 picks in the draft are going to play out is anyone’s guess at this point.

#1 Philadelphia 76ers: Brandon Ingram, Duke

Ingram has done more than enough to earn himself the top spot. He’s a tall and rangy defender who has shown the ability to switch out on smaller perimeter guards, as well as covering the paint on bigger, stronger post players. With one of the most pure shooting strokes in the draft, his outside shooting ability and size is going to be a mismatch nightmare for players guarding him, especially beyond the 3-point line. His comparisons to Kevin Durant may still be a little bit premature but the potential is certainly there for Ingram to become a superstar in the NBA.

#2 Los Angeles Lakers: Ben Simmons, LSU

Simmons and his agent Rich Paul have made themselves crystal clear that they don’t want Philadelphia to take him with the 1st pick. Simmons declined the invite for a private workout with the team and has consistently voiced his desire to play for the Lakers. Simmons has the highest chance of becoming the leagues next superstar, he’s a triple-double threat night in night out with is ability to handle the ball like a point guard, rebound like a center and drive to the rim with his great size and athleticism.

#3 Boston Celtics: Buddy Hield, Oklahoma 

This pick was a coin flip between Hield and Jamal Murray. The Celtics, if they keep the pick (and that’s a big IF) need another player who can score in the 4th quarter to pair with Isaiah Thomas. Buddy Hield is one of the most popular players coming out of college this year. His performance in the NCAA tournament boosted his draft stock into another stratosphere, and his season average of 25.0 points on 46% shooting from beyond the arc means he should be able to score in the NBA right out the gate. He’s exactly the kind of player Boston could use to step up in big moments and take over the game.

#4 Phoenix Suns: Dragan Bender, Maccabi Tel Aviv (Israel)

Bender is everything a team would need in the modern NBA. He’s a 7’1″ shooter, and at only 18 years old has all the potential to develop into a well rounded stretch-four for the Suns. There are still a few questions marks surrounding Bender, his slight frame could be a problem on the defensive end against some of the more physical players around the league. Phoenix are not in a great place as a team, they’ve struggled heavily with injuries and locker room problems, but with the 4th pick in the draft and the right player coming in, it could be exactly what the franchise needs to turn it all around.

#5 Minnesota Timberwolves: Jamal Murray, Kentucky

Minnesota need to improve on their 3 point shooting. Andrew Wiggins still hasn’t managed to find a consistent jump shot, and although Zach LaVine has continued to improve his shooting, 38% isn’t a good enough clip to lead the team. Murray is a proven scorer, he shot 41% from beyond the arc on his way to 20 point per game. The Timberwolves could also use a player who’s going to be able to go on the attack and use his physicality to score in bunches, especially off the bench when Towns and Wiggins are off the floor.

#6 New Orleans Pelicans: Kris Dunn, Providence

New Orleans need to strike gold in this draft. As Anthony Davis gets deeper into his contract, the team appears to be regressing as the months go on. The constant injury woes and lineup changes have left the Pelicans in a tough spot, with no apparent light at the end of the tunnel. Kris Dunn is a physical and super-intelligent point guard to play with Anthony Davis in the pick and roll. Dunn is a player who can contribute to an NBA team immediately, and that’s exactly what New Orleans will need him to do, be it starting the game in place of Jrue Holiday, or coming in off the bench to light a fire under the offense. Although Dunn isn’t a shooter, his ability to drive to the rim, create plays for others and lock down on the defensive end make him the perfect player for New Orleans to select.