2016 NBA Mock Draft: Vincent Goodwill projects the first round

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1. 76ERS - Ben Simmons, F (LSU)

Whether it’s a two-superstar draft or not, the 76ers could take the guy billed as the first pick for months in Simmons, a versatile and unselfish wing to jumpstart the path back to relevancy.

2. LAKERS - Brandon Ingram, F (Duke) 

Word has it the Lakers love being in this spot after keeping their pick, and Ingram would be a matchup nightmare with his long wingspan and ability to play three positions. But is he special?

3. CELTICS - Dragan Bender, F (Croatia)

This is where it gets uncertain as the Celtics could try to flip this pick for a veteran in win-now mode. But Bender has high upside, even if there’s question as to how long it’ll take him to get there.

4. SUNS - Jaylen Brown, G-F (California) 

One of the more intriguing prospects, Brown wants to work out against Simmons and Ingram for first two slots. Confident and young, can join Devin Booker on the wings as building block for future.

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 - Marquese Chriss, F (Washington)

If Raps truly believe they can win now, perhaps they’ll package pick in trade for a veteran. But if they keep it, Chriss has one of the bigger upsides because he’s long, athletic and hasn’t played basketball long.

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.

[RELATED: Mark Strotman's 2016 NBA Mock Draft]

11. MAGIC - Deyonta Davis, F (Michigan State) 

Prime candidate for a trade since the Magic have to start winning, but Davis has a legit upside although he has some question marks. Could play a big three or small-ball center with his athleticism.

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 - Denzel Valentine, G-F (Michigan State) 

Since the Bulls passed on Draymond Green, they might go Green-lite with Valentine. The Bulls clearly need help on the wings and in the backcourt with depth, and Valentine could check all the boxes with his versatility.

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 - Wade Baldwin IV, G (Vanderbilt)

Don’t be shocked if the Pistons trade this pick for a veteran but they’re in need of a backup point guard in the worst way. Baldwin wouldn’t be a bad selection to play behind Reggie Jackson.

19. NUGGETS - Malik Beasley, G (Florida State)

He’s young (19), with room to grow but can score at the college level. Expect them to nab two wings with their trio of first-rounders.

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.

[RELATED: Mark Schanowski's 2016 NBA Mock Draft]

21. HAWKS - Furkan Korkmaz, G (International)

Fluid scorer and outstanding shooter, according to accounts as Hawks need depth on the wings with Kent Bazemore entering free agency and Kyle Korver aging.

22. HORNETS - Damian Jones, C (Vanderbilt) 

Will take some time to develop but it’s easy to see the Hornets taking a big who can finish around the rim and knows where to get his shots. Seems to be a low-maintenance type.

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 - Cheick Diallo, PF/C (Kansas)

The Raptors aren’t afraid of taking big man projects and letting them develop, and with Jonas Valanciunas, they can let him learn at his own pace.

28. SUNS - Malachi Richardson, G/F (Syracuse) 

Richardson could be a mid-round pick or even slip early to the second as a potential shot maker and creator.

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, F (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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