2016 NBA Draft: Vincent Goodwill's mock draft 2.0

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1. 76ers: Ben Simmons, F, LSU

Who cares if he’s not working out for them, they have his medicals and his game film. Everything else is window dressing.

2.  Lakers: Brandon Ingram, F, Duke

 He’s confident, with a long wingspan and scouts think he can score in bunches. There’s a reason people consider this a two-player draft.

3. Celtics: Jaylen Brown, G-F, California

This is where it gets uncertain as the Celtics could try to flip this pick for a veteran in win-now mode. Brown could join a pretty good set of swingmen and play immediately—boosting his trade value

4. Suns: Marquese Chriss, PF, Washington

Opinions on him go across the board, but there’s no denying his gifts and talent. He could fall, but could make teams regret it, too.

5. Timberwolves: Kris Dunn, G, Providence

For Tom Thibodeau’s first draft pick, passing up a guard with defensive instincts could be too much to resist. His offense and shooting has progressed but Thibodeau will likely salivate at what Dunn can do for a defense.

6. Pelicans: Jamal Murray, G, Kentucky

The Pelicans had injuries across the board but especially in the backcourt, so Murray will be able to play both positions and get a chance to compete immediately as a scorer off the ball.

7. Nuggets: Buddy Hield, G, Oklahoma

An explosive shooter, Hield maxed out at the college level as a four-year player. And as a professional, has good size for a shooting guard as he’ll play more off the ball as opposed to creating on his own.

8. Kings: Skal Labissiere, F/C, Kentucky

We all know the Kings’ owner loves picking up John Calipari players and this athletic big could join DeMarcus Cousins and Willie Cauley-Stein in the frontcourt rotation.

9. Raptors: Dragan Bender, F, Croatia

If Raps truly believe they can win now, perhaps they’ll package pick in trade for a veteran. Bender is so intriguing because he can play all frontcourt positions and his transition may not be so gradual.

10. Bucks: Jakob Poeltl, C, Utah

Back to the basket scorer, Poeltl could join an athletic and rangy Bucks team without having to fit the usual profile. How he performs defensively protecting the basket could be his greatest value down the line.

11. Magic: Denzel Valentine, F-G, Michigan State

The Magic want to start winning now, so if they keep this pick, a pro-ready player with maturity will be a better bet. Valentine’s medicals are a cause, but he’ll be productive to start.

12. Jazz: Domantas Sabonis, PF/C, Gonzaga

The Jazz love stockpiling bigs who can protect the rim and score inside and Sabonis is this year’s man of mystery, an intriguing prospect.

13. Suns: Henry Ellenson, C/F, Marquette

 With Tyson Chandler aging and if they take a wing at four, they could go big here with Ellenson, a skilled big who could learn behind Chandler and develop at his own pace.

14. Bulls: Wade Baldwin IV, G, Vanderbilt

The rumors of a promise from the Bulls are getting louder and louder as Baldwin can play both guard positions but is primarily a point guard with good range and decent athleticism.

15. Nuggets: Taurean Prince, F, Baylor

With Wilson Chandler’s health in doubt, the Nuggets could draft Prince as an insurance policy. Prince is mature (22 years old), and fits the profile of a 3-and-D guy.

16. Celtics: Timothe Luwawu, F, France

A guy the Celtics can stash overseas if need be, if the Celtics don’t package it. Luwawu is a good athlete who finishes in traffic and can be an elite defender in time.

17. Grizzlies: Demetrius Jackson, G, Notre Dame

Who knows if Jackson actually sticks around this long but with Mike Conley facing free agency, Jackson could be new coach David Fizdale’s hand-picked point guard who could develop in this slowdown system.

18. Pistons: Thon Maker, F Australia

If Denzel Valentine is here, wouldn’t be shocked if the Pistons took him as a backup point guard. But Maker is a project who could play down the line next to Andre Drummond.

19. Nuggets: Cheick Diallo, F, Kansas

Seems a bit of a stretch but if they go with Hield early, they can take a big later and swing for the fences with Diallo. Shot blocker and rebounder but will take time to develop.

20. Pacers: Tyler Ulis, G, Kentucky

The Pacers want to play fast, and there’s no better training ground than the dribble drive system in Kentucky. Ulis plays with pace and is a great distributor in the open floor.

21. Hawks- Deyonta Davis, F, Michigan State

He’s got length and athleticism and can play above the rim. He’ll certainly take a minute to develop but the Hawks can afford to take a chance on a young kid with these attributes.

22. Hornets: Malachi Richardson, G, Syracuse

According to reports he’s been shooting well in workouts, and being one of the younger players in this draft, he can go in the mid-teens or later than this projection.

23. Celtics: Zhou Qi, C, International

With size that’s scary in a good and bad way (7-foot-2), Qi has potential as a shot-blocking center who can cover a lot of space in little time.

24. 76ers: DeAndre Bembry, F, St. Joseph’s

Taking a local product in Bembry could help replenish the weakest point of the 76er roster—the wings, which has been historically bad in the Sam Hinkie era.

25. Clippers: Caris LeVert, G-F, Michigan

Before he got hurt, he was thought to be a sure-fire lottery pick with his skill set and versatility. If his medicals check out, will Doc Rivers roll the dice?

26. 76ers: Dejounte Murray, G, Washington

 Murray can play both spots and has good size but is inconsistent. The 76ers will have to hope he can develop into a decent jump shooter.

27. Raptors: Patrick McCaw, G, UNLV

The Raptors are in best player available mode, and McCaw can defend multiple positions with his size and length. Now, if he can score, its an added bonus.

28. Suns: Damian Jones, C, Vanderbilt

Jones could go higher in the 20’s as he has potential as a rim protecting athlete but also someone who can stretch the floor.

29. Spurs: Brice Johnson, F, North Carolina

Opinions on Johnson are mixed given his career at Carolina, but here’s thinking the Spurs won’t pass on his production as they’ll need frontcourt help and length.

30. Warriors: Juan Hernangomez, International

Fast-paced player who can make quick decisions in the Warriors’ system. But honestly, he’s a down the line option the franchise can stash away for the future and not take up cap space.

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