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NBA Mock Draft 2016: Edition 3 (Final Edition)

Kris Dunn to New Orleans
1. Philadelphia Sixers Ben Simmons, F, LSU
The Sixers will be almost certainly be better next year (hard to get much worse), as new management will at least try to win games, contrary to former GM Sam Hinkie's extreme tanking method. However, Philadelphia is still very thin at forward, and adding a dynamic offensive weapon like Simmons would be a major move. Pairing Simmons with Jahlil Okafor and hopefully some other versatile pieces could give Philly a very dangerous offense to work with for a long time.
2. Los Angeles Lakers Brandon Ingram, G/F, Duke
It is highly likely the Lakers will go after one of the big name free agents on the market, likely DeMar DeRozan or the grand prize of Kevin Durant. But, Los Angeles has a good enough young core that they should continue building through the draft, and Ingram is the next logical piece. His long arms and superb athleticism are reminiscent of Durant, and he is still growing bigger. He'll fit in nicely with Jordan Clarkson and D'Angelo Russell.
3. Boston Celtics Dragan Bender, F, Croatia
In a draft full of wild cards, there is none bigger than Boston. The Celtics could go so many different ways with the third selection, in terms of prospects to pick or trade possibilities. If Boston does keep it, Croatian big man Dragan Bender would be a good fit. The Celtics' frontcourt is solid and they can afford to wait on a guy like Bender, who has a tremendously high ceiling but is still very raw.
4. Phoenix Suns Marquese Chriss, F, Washington
No player has seen their stock increase as much as Chriss has lately. The Washington product was seen as a mid-round pick just months ago, but has a very strong chance of going in the Top 5 now. Scouts and NBA execs love his athleticism, rebounding ability and incredibly high ceiling. He will need to improve his jumper, but he could be special. After dealing away the disgruntled Markieff Morris, Phoenix needs a new power forward, and Chriss could jump right in.
5. Minnesota Timberwolves Jamal Murray, G, Kentucky
New head coach Tom Thibodeau is a defensive-minded head coach, but he'll still need some scoring punch from his backcourt, and Ricky Rubio has never been a guy that can take over games. Jamal Murray has been criticized for his athleticism, but his impressive size and dangerous shooting ability give the T-Wolves another scary weapon to toy with.
6. New Orleans Pelicans Kris Dunn, PG, Providence
One year after making the Playoffs, the Pelicans regressed severely in 2015-2016. You can blame it on injuries, but the Pelicans also did not take very well to new coach Alvin Gentry's up-tempo offense. Jrue Holiday may leave this offseason and New Orleans could get an upgrade in Dunn, who can do it all and would do very well in a fast-paced offense.
7. Denver Nuggets Buddy Hield, SG, Oklahoma
Denver has not had a consistent deep threat in their backcourt for awhile, and will need floor spacers for Emmanuel Mudiay's aggressive, attack-the-basket game. Buddy Hield improved every single year at Oklahoma, and he has the chance to continue to grow in the NBA. Denver is a good fit for Hield; he won't have much pressure on him and coach Mike Malone is very disciplined.
8. Sacramento Kings Domantas Sabonis, F/C, Gonzaga
Demarcus Cousins' future in Sacramento remains extremely unclear. He's clearly a special talent and the Kings want to move forward with him as their guy, but they haven't won anything with him leading the way. Even if they don't trade him, Sabonis is a high-upside, good character guy who GM Vlade Divac loves.
9. Toronto Raptors Jakob Poeltl, C, Utah
In a draft with a wide variety of big men, Poeltl remains one of the few true centers available. For Toronto, who is going to see Bismack Biyombo hit free agency, that would be a valuable asset. Poeltl's ability to play both ends of the floor and his potential gives the Raptors plenty to work with going forward.
10. Milwaukee Bucks Jaylen Brown, G/F, California
This is an interesting draft, because beyond Simmons and Ingram, so many different players could fall in the Top 10. Jaylen Brown is a wonderful athlete and impressive scorer, but still has holes in his game. Milwaukee is in good position for any prospect that drops and would jump on an opportunity to snag Brown, who could form a lethal transition game with Giannis Antetokounmpo.
11. Orlando Magic Skal Labissiere, F, Kentucky
New head coach Frank Vogel is a great developer of young talent and gets the most from his players. That should play a big role for Labissiere, a highly touted recruit that struggled mightily at UK, but has great potential. Vogel will be smart with Labissiere and having the forward's floor-stretching ability would be a nice asset next to Aaron Gordon, who is not a good shooter at all.
12. Utah Jazz Henry Ellenson, PF, Marquette
The Jazz have a talented frontcourt comprised of center Rudy Gobert and power forward Derrick Favors, but it still needs more depth. Ellenson could go anywhere from five to late lottery, but he offers great upside. Ellenson has great footwork, runs the floor well, and can grow into a more complete post with some time learning.
13. Phoenix Suns Deyonta Davis, PF, Michigan State
With their second first pound pick, Phoenix should continue to improve their frontcourt. Tyson Chandler is a good defender, but Phoenix overpaid him and he is reaching the end of his career. They could get his defensive replacement in Davis, who was one of the nation's best shot-blockers while at Michigan State, and has tremendous offensive potential.
14. Chicago Bulls Timothe Luwawu, G, France
The Bulls' backcourt is in shambles right now. Shooting guard Jimmy Butler and management have a very poor relationship and his future in the Windy City is unclear, while Derrick Rose could be dealt away as well. Adding Luwawu, a French prospect with a fluid offensive game and superb athleticism, gives the guard position some guidance.
15. Denver Nuggets Furkan Korkmaz, G, Turkey
Already adding Hield earlier, the Nuggets should continue to add depth and shooting to their backcourt, considering they were 25th in three-pointers in the league last year. Korkmaz is a tremendous shooter that has had his moments in Europe, but will need some time to grow in the NBA.
16. Boston Celtics Malik Beasley, SG, Florida State
With so many picks in this Draft, there remains a chance Danny Ainge could package a few of them and swing them for an established veteran. However, if they keep it here at 16, they should add a guard, and Beasley would be a great fit. Avery Bradley and Marcus Smart are solid guards but still improving offensively; Beasley's impressive scoring ability would be nice next to Isaiah Thomas.
17. Memphis Grizzlies Wade Baldwin, G, Vanderbilt
While Memphis will work hard to bring him back, Mike Conley hits free agency this summer and could get big money from New York or any number of teams. If that happens, Memphis will embrace a youth movement, and Baldwin could be at the center of it. Baldwin was terribly inconsistent with Vanderbilt, but his size (6'4") and wonderful athleticism offer upside.
18. Detroit Pistons Denzel Valentine, G, Michigan State
Valentine is one of the most well-rounded and experienced prospects in this Draft, but he could still drop past the lottery. Teams are worried about a "knee issue" and he doesn't have the ceiling of other talented guards in this class. Detroit isn't a great shooting team, and they need more floor spacing for Andre Drummond underneath. Valentine's fantastic deep-shooting ability would give them that.
19. Denver Nuggets Ante Zizic, C, Croatia
With yet another first-round selection, Denver could use it on a stash player, who can play and learn overseas and come over when ready. Zizic is just 19, so he'll need some time, but you have to be impressed with his seven-foot stature and terrific rebounding ability.
20. Indiana Pacers Dejounte Murray, G, Washington
The Pacers may have solid veteran George Hill and talented Monta Ellis in their backcourt, but Hill is getting older and Ellis had an off-year in 2015-2016. Murray's size is his only issue, but the Washington product is as quick and dangerous a scorer as they come, and he has room to grow defensively.
21. Atlanta Hawks Cheick Diallo, F, Kansas
He may have just averaged over 3 points and 2 rebounds per game in his one season at Kansas, but there is no denying Diallo's amazing potential. He showcased at the Combine his impressive motor and athleticism, and he brings great size. Atlanta is said to be high on Diallo, and could snag him as their frontcourt continues to age.
22. Charlotte Hornets Brice Johnson, F/C, North Carolina
Brice Johnson was an absolute monster this past year for North Carolina, with 16.6 points and 10.6 rebounds per game for the Tar Heels as they made their run to the National Championship game. Charlotte could use another forward with Johnson's rebounding prowess, and it just makes sense for UNC alum Michael Jordan to stick with a former Tar Heel.
23. Boston Celtics Ivica Zubac, C, Croatia
Much like Denver at 19, Boston could use this selection to stash a high-upside European prospect. Zubac is also from Croatia, much like Zizic and the C's earlier selection, Dragan Bender. He has terrific size and would be a force defensively, but needs to improve in a big way offensively and is a liability at the free throw line right now.
24. Philadelphia Sixers Malachi Richardson, G, Syracuse
While adding Ben Simmons earlier and likely adding some veterans will improve Philadelphia offensively, they still need more scoring punch. Richardson has moments where he can absolutely take over games, as he did a couple times for Syracuse in the NCAA Tournament. He would be a solid weapon Philly can utilize at shooting guard.
25. Los Angeles Clippers DeAndre Bembry, F, St. Joseph's
Outside of Chris Paul, the Clippers are not a good passing team, something that has held them back in the Playoffs. DeAndre Bembry impressed at the Combine, and the Clippers could definitely use his talent. He passes very well for the forward position and finds ways to make plays despite not being a great athlete.
26. Philadelphia Sixers Demetrius Jackson, PG, Notre Dame
After acquiring him for a few second-rounders, Philly got a pleasant surprise in guard Ish Smith. However, Smith is nothing you can really build around, and fellow guard T.J. McConnell is pretty limited. Jackson had moments where he was dominant with the Irish, and while his size and streaky shooting are concerns, he could be special at guard.
27. Toronto Raptors Thon Maker, F/C, High Schooler
As I've said previously, there is no bigger mystery than Thon Maker. The prep school prospect opted to take a weird route to this year's NBA Draft, but possesses serious game. He has great size, but still has a great jump shot and is a decent ball-handler. Yet, he hasn't ever played against elite competition, and how he adjusts to the NBA is a question. Toronto has enough depth and is a strong enough team to take a flyer on him.
28. Phoenix Suns Patrick McCaw, G, UNLV
The Suns may have explosive Eric Bledsoe and solid Brandon Knight, but depth in the backcourt is not a strength and Bledsoe has been injury prone. McCaw has a game very similar to Bledsoe; he isn't a great shooter but is a wonderful athlete that attacks the rim with fearlessness. He could be a nice player to develop behind those two here.
29. San Antonio Spurs Juan Hernangomez, F, Spain
No team drafts international players as well as San Antonio, and they could be getting another steal here. Hernangomez may be ready to play in the NBA as early as next season, and will bring a diverse offensive game mixed with great rebounding ability. The Spurs would certainly take a chance on him, especially considering Tim Duncan and David West continue to age.
30. Golden State Warriors Diamond Stone, C, Maryland
Andrew Bogut has been limited by injuries and his career may be drawing to a close soon, and Game 7 proves the Warriors need some more toughness inside. Diamond Stone is as talented as anybody in this Draft, but character concerns and poor interviews have dropped him. Golden State would be willing to take a risk on Stone to give them great ability and long term potential at center.

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