1. 76ERS - Ben Simmons, F (LSU)
Philadelphia coach Brett Brown has a relationship with the Simmons family from his years coaching in Australia. Plus, the versatile 6-10 forward might be the only player in this draft with superstar potential, making it an easy choice for the 76’ers.
2. LAKERS – Brandon Ingram, F (Duke)
Los Angeles needs scoring punch in the frontcourt, and the 6-foot-9 Ingram has been compared to Kevin Durant by some scouts. He should fit in well with the up-tempo style preferred by new head coach Luke Walton.
3. CELTICS – Dragan Bender, F (Croatia)
Danny Ainge will be looking to use this pick in a trade for an All-Star caliber veteran (like Jimmy Butler). If not, the 7-foot Bender is the likely choice as this year’s version of Kristaps Porzingis.
4. SUNS - Jaylen Brown, SF-SG (California)
NBA
Brown has the most potential of the wing prospects available. Tremendous athleticism and ability to attack the rim. Still needs to improve his outside shooting after just one season at Cal.
5. TIMBERWOLVES - Buddy Hield, SG-SF (Oklahoma)
Tom Thibodeau gets his first chance to “buy the groceries” as head of basketball operations. Hield will provide some much-needed outside shooting to complement the talents of 2015-16 Rookie of the Year Karl-Anthony Towns.
6. PELICANS - Jamal Murray, G (Kentucky)
Murray might be the best pure shooter in this draft and the Pelicans will be in the market for a shooting guard with Eric Gordon likely leaving in free agency.
7. NUGGETS - Kris Dunn, PG (Providence)
Look for a trade at this point, maybe involving a team like the Bulls looking for a point guard. Nuggets have three picks in first round and might try to move up to draft either Hield or Murray.
8. KINGS - Demetrius Jackson, PG (Notre Dame)
Dysfunctional Kings looking for a fresh start with Dave Joerger taking over as head coach. Rajon Rondo could leave in free agency, and Jackson could be a future star in the mold of Kyle Lowry.
9. RAPTORS - Marquesse Chriss, F (Washington)
Toronto has been looking to upgrade the power forward spot for the last two years. Chriss is one of the youngest players in the draft, with the highest ceiling among the PF’s still on the board.
10. BUCKS - Jakob Poeltl, C (Utah)
Milwaukee could use another big man to complement their collection of athletic wing players. Free agent Greg Monroe is likely available in a trade after a disappointing first season in the beer city.
[RELATED: Vincent Goodwill's 2016 NBA Mock Draft]
11. MAGIC - Deyonta Davis, PF-C (Michigan St.)
With defensive-minded Frank Vogel installed as the new head coach, the Magic will be looking for a shot-blocking presence inside. Davis is raw after limited playing time in his only college season, but should be a plus defender right away.
12. JAZZ - Denzel Valentine, SG-SF (Michigan St.)
Utah has done a good job of building a talented, young roster and a smart, four-year collegian like Valentine should fit right in. A very skilled passer with high basketball I.Q., he should eventually become a solid NBA three-point shooter.
13. SUNS - Henry Ellenson, PF, (Marquette)
With their second pick in round one, the Suns can go for a stretch PF like Ellenson, who also can score in the post. Kentucky big man Skal Labissiere also a possibility here.
14. BULLS - Wade Baldwin, PG, (Vanderbilt)
Tremendous athlete, who measured at 6-foot-4 with shoes at the draft combine, with an amazing 6-11 wing span. Should be an NBA-ready defender right away, and the Bulls can groom him to take over at point guard in 2017-18 after Derrick Rose most likely leaves in free agency.
15. NUGGETS - Skal Labissiere, PF-C (Kentucky)
With three picks in round one, the Nuggets can afford to take a chance on the painfully thin seven footer. Labissiere has an excellent shooting touch, with should complement Denver’s other young bigs, Jusuf Nurkic and Nikola Jokic.
16. CELTICS - Timothe Luwawu, SF (France)
Again, don’t be surprised if Ainge packages this pick in a trade on draft night, but Luwawu is an intriguing prospect with excellent defensive skills. Also, a personal favorite of our Bulls’ analyst Kendall Gill.
17. GRIZZLIES - Domantas Sabonis, PF-C (Gonzaga)
The son of Hall of Famer Arvydas Sabonis has a polished low post game, and the frame to withstand physical NBA play in the paint. He gives the Grizzlies a young big to develop behind Marc Gasol, who is coming back from a broken foot.
18. PISTONS - Malachi Richardson, G, (Syracuse)
Detroit could use another reliable guard off the bench to play behind Reggie Jackson and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Richardson burst on to NBA scouts’ radar after a strong showing in the NCAA tournament.
19. NUGGETS - Taurean Prince, F, (Baylor)
It’s unlikely Denver will keep all three of its first round picks, but if they do, an athletic forward like Prince is a good value pick at this point.
20. PACERS- Tyler Ulis, PG, (Kentucky)
Larry Bird made no secret of the fact he wants his team to play at a faster tempo and score more points. Having a speedy guard like Ulis to run the second unit would fit in well with Bird’s master plan.
[RELATED: Mark Strotman's 2016 NBA Mock Draft]
21. HAWKS - Cheick Diallo, PF-C (Kansas)
With Al Horford heading into free agency, the Hawks need to add some depth to the frontcourt. Diallo didn’t play much in his one season at Kansas, but showed a lot of potential at the NBA draft combine.
22. HORNETS - Malik Beasley, SG-SF (Florida St.)
Charlotte needs to fortify the wing spots with Nic Batum, Courtney Lee and Marvin Williams all free agents. Beasley is coming off a strong season in the ACC and scouts like his aggressiveness on the offensive end.
23. CELTICS - Furkan Korkmaz, SG-SF (Turkey)
Ainge completes his international trifecta by taking this sharp-shooting wing player in the mold of Orlando’s first round pick from a year ago, Mario Hezonja. Korkmaz has good athleticism and could develop into a streaky perimeter scorer.
24. 76ERS- DeAndre Bembry, SG-SF (St. Joseph’s)
The Sixers could go in a number of directions with so many needs, so why not take a local Philly product like Bembry. He showed very well at draft combine, and has the versatility to play both wing spots off the bench.
25. CLIPPERS - Brice Johnson, F, (North Carolina)
Coming off a strong NCAA tournament, Johnson would give the Clippers a talented forward to add to their bench. Doc Rivers is still looking for more consistency on that second unit.
26. 76ERS - Dejounte Murray, G (Washington)
Probably would have been better served to spend another year in college, but could develop as a combo guard in Philly.
27. RAPTORS - Damian Jones, C (Vanderbilt)
With Bismack Biyombo ready to cash in after a strong playoff run, the Raptors need a center to back up Jonas Valanciunas. Jones has good size and showed well against SEC competition.
28. SUNS - Caris LeVert, SG (Michigan)
Phoenix coach Earl Watson wants to play fast, and if the Suns keep this pick, LeVert is a guy worth taking a chance on. He probably would have been a lottery pick if not for injuries in his last two years at Michigan.
29. SPURS - Thon Maker, PF-C (Australia)
The international man of mystery in this year’s draft. Intriguing size at 7-foot-1, but NBA scouts aren’t sure what position he’ll play. The Spurs can let him develop overseas for a couple years before bringing him over.
30. WARRIORS - Ante Zizic, C (Croatia)
Another draft and stash candidate for the loaded Warriors. Golden State could use another center if Festus Ezeli is allowed to leave in free agency.