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What if the NBA draft only allowed NCAA seniors as entrants? Below is my “2016 NCAA Seniors Only Mock Draft”. Enjoy!
1- Philadelphia - SG Buddy Hield, Oklahoma - Slots in right away to the team’s starting SG position.
2 - LA Lakers - SF Taurean Prince, Baylor - Takes over Kobe’s starting SF position. Demure Carroll comparisons.
3 - Boston - C A.J Hammons, Purdue. - Boston is in a dire need for a true big man, and Hammons provides that. I was at a toss-up between Hammons and UNC’s Johnson, but I thought Boston would prefer a bruising Hammons
4 - Phoenix - PF Brice Johnson, UNC - Plenty of options in the backcourt, so the Suns get a guy who could replace Morris, if traded away.
5 - Minnesota - SG Denzel Valentine, Michigan St. - The ‘Wolves need shooters to provide space for Towns, and Valentine provides that. Not sure if he can start over LaVine, but I think Valentine pairs well with Rubio.
6 - New Orleans - SG Malcolm Brogdon, Virginia - Another team that needs shooters, so Brogdon fits the bill.
7 - Denver - SG Caris LeVert, Michigan - LeVert doesn’t really have a set position in the next level, so he provides Denver nice depth for Harris, Barton and Gallinari at the 2 and 3.
8 - Sacramento - PG, Gary Payton II, Oregon St. - Guard depth is an issue for the Kings, so Payton II is the perfect need fit.
9 - Toronto - PF, Joel Bolomboy, Weber St. - I’m not going to pretend that I knew about this guy before making this mock draft, but Bolomboy was a double-double machine this season and I’m sure the Raptors weren’t psyched having to have Scola in the rotation when they were playing the Cavs.
10 - Milwaukee - PG, Yogi Ferrell, Indiana - Milwaukee has lots of holes to fill in their backcourt so Ferrell immediately slots in with some playing time. Torn between Ferrell and Gbinije with this pick.
11 - Orlando - SF, Dorian Finney-Smith, Florida - Shooting and rebounding is a weak point for the Magic and Finney-Smith provides help in both of these categories.
12 - Utah, SG, Michael Gbinije, Syracuse - Love their frontcourt, so Gbinije provides nice depth for Hayward, Hood and Exum.
13 - Phoenix, SF, Jake Layman, Maryland - Phoenix continues building talent in their forwards with Layman who could hit outside shots.
14 - Chicago, C, Chris Obekpa, UNLV - Noah, Gasol and Gibson could all be gone after next season, so Chicago could groom Obekpa to be a rim-protector at the next level.
15 - Denver, SF/PF, Jarrod Uthoff, Iowa - Uthoff provides Denver depth at both forward positions and Uthoff also helps with Denver’s outside shooting woes.
16 - Boston, PF, Zach Auguste, Notre Dame - the need for forwards and the Fighting Irish connection is just too good to pass up here.
17 - Memphis, SG, Damion Lee, Louisville - Memphis will have big holes in the wing position, so Lee provides Memphis a two-way wing who can get a fast track to lots of playing time.
18 - Detroit, PF, Perry Ellis, Kansas - Detroit’s biggest need is a PF next to Drummond and Ellis is the best available.
19 - Denver, PG, Marcus Paige, UNC - Denver doesn’t have a backup PG under contract next season.
20 - Indiana, PF, Devin Thomas, Wake Forest - Thomas will help shore up poor rebounding stats from the 4.
21 - Atlanta, C, Kaleb Tarczewski, Arizona - If Horford doesn’t come back, there’s a huge need for center.
22 - Charlotte, SF, Kyle Wiltjer, Gonzaga - Charlotte is terrible at shooting and their playoff performance showed that. Wiltijer is silky smooth.
23 - Boston, PF, Alex Poythress, Kentucky - Interesting developmental pick. Keep stockpiling forwards, but could turn out to be the best player drafted.
24 - Philadelphia, SF, Danuel House, Texas A&M - Philadelphia needs wings and House is an explosive wing to can find his own mid-range shot.
25 - LA Clippers - SG/SF - Sheldon McCellan, Miami - The Clippers have a dire SF need. McCellan would be undersized at that position, but could provide help there.
26 - Philadelphia, PG/SG, Tyrone Wallace, California - At his 6’6 198 frame, he’s not really sure where to play in the NBA, but he will provide good guard depth for the Sixers.
27 - Toronto - SG, Ron Baker, Wichita St. - Could be interesting competition for Ross.
28 - Spurs - C, Prince Ibeh, Texas - Rim protector that will never be a starter, but will be part of a youth development at the forward/center position for San Antonio
29 - Golden State, C/PF, Shawn Long - Can protect the rim and play a mid-range game. Good long-term prospect with Bogut coming off the books after 2017.
30 - Cleveland, SG/SF, Isiash Cousins - Cleveland wants to run fast and Isaiah Cousins might be the 3 and D guy they are looking for. At least he can hit the 3.
1- Philadelphia - SG Buddy Hield, Oklahoma - Slots in right away to the team’s starting SG position.
2 - LA Lakers - SF Taurean Prince, Baylor - Takes over Kobe’s starting SF position. Demure Carroll comparisons.
3 - Boston - C A.J Hammons, Purdue. - Boston is in a dire need for a true big man, and Hammons provides that. I was at a toss-up between Hammons and UNC’s Johnson, but I thought Boston would prefer a bruising Hammons
4 - Phoenix - PF Brice Johnson, UNC - Plenty of options in the backcourt, so the Suns get a guy who could replace Morris, if traded away.
5 - Minnesota - SG Denzel Valentine, Michigan St. - The ‘Wolves need shooters to provide space for Towns, and Valentine provides that. Not sure if he can start over LaVine, but I think Valentine pairs well with Rubio.
6 - New Orleans - SG Malcolm Brogdon, Virginia - Another team that needs shooters, so Brogdon fits the bill.
7 - Denver - SG Caris LeVert, Michigan - LeVert doesn’t really have a set position in the next level, so he provides Denver nice depth for Harris, Barton and Gallinari at the 2 and 3.
8 - Sacramento - PG, Gary Payton II, Oregon St. - Guard depth is an issue for the Kings, so Payton II is the perfect need fit.
9 - Toronto - PF, Joel Bolomboy, Weber St. - I’m not going to pretend that I knew about this guy before making this mock draft, but Bolomboy was a double-double machine this season and I’m sure the Raptors weren’t psyched having to have Scola in the rotation when they were playing the Cavs.
10 - Milwaukee - PG, Yogi Ferrell, Indiana - Milwaukee has lots of holes to fill in their backcourt so Ferrell immediately slots in with some playing time. Torn between Ferrell and Gbinije with this pick.
11 - Orlando - SF, Dorian Finney-Smith, Florida - Shooting and rebounding is a weak point for the Magic and Finney-Smith provides help in both of these categories.
12 - Utah, SG, Michael Gbinije, Syracuse - Love their frontcourt, so Gbinije provides nice depth for Hayward, Hood and Exum.
13 - Phoenix, SF, Jake Layman, Maryland - Phoenix continues building talent in their forwards with Layman who could hit outside shots.
14 - Chicago, C, Chris Obekpa, UNLV - Noah, Gasol and Gibson could all be gone after next season, so Chicago could groom Obekpa to be a rim-protector at the next level.
15 - Denver, SF/PF, Jarrod Uthoff, Iowa - Uthoff provides Denver depth at both forward positions and Uthoff also helps with Denver’s outside shooting woes.
16 - Boston, PF, Zach Auguste, Notre Dame - the need for forwards and the Fighting Irish connection is just too good to pass up here.
17 - Memphis, SG, Damion Lee, Louisville - Memphis will have big holes in the wing position, so Lee provides Memphis a two-way wing who can get a fast track to lots of playing time.
18 - Detroit, PF, Perry Ellis, Kansas - Detroit’s biggest need is a PF next to Drummond and Ellis is the best available.
19 - Denver, PG, Marcus Paige, UNC - Denver doesn’t have a backup PG under contract next season.
20 - Indiana, PF, Devin Thomas, Wake Forest - Thomas will help shore up poor rebounding stats from the 4.
21 - Atlanta, C, Kaleb Tarczewski, Arizona - If Horford doesn’t come back, there’s a huge need for center.
22 - Charlotte, SF, Kyle Wiltjer, Gonzaga - Charlotte is terrible at shooting and their playoff performance showed that. Wiltijer is silky smooth.
23 - Boston, PF, Alex Poythress, Kentucky - Interesting developmental pick. Keep stockpiling forwards, but could turn out to be the best player drafted.
24 - Philadelphia, SF, Danuel House, Texas A&M - Philadelphia needs wings and House is an explosive wing to can find his own mid-range shot.
25 - LA Clippers - SG/SF - Sheldon McCellan, Miami - The Clippers have a dire SF need. McCellan would be undersized at that position, but could provide help there.
26 - Philadelphia, PG/SG, Tyrone Wallace, California - At his 6’6 198 frame, he’s not really sure where to play in the NBA, but he will provide good guard depth for the Sixers.
27 - Toronto - SG, Ron Baker, Wichita St. - Could be interesting competition for Ross.
28 - Spurs - C, Prince Ibeh, Texas - Rim protector that will never be a starter, but will be part of a youth development at the forward/center position for San Antonio
29 - Golden State, C/PF, Shawn Long - Can protect the rim and play a mid-range game. Good long-term prospect with Bogut coming off the books after 2017.
30 - Cleveland, SG/SF, Isiash Cousins - Cleveland wants to run fast and Isaiah Cousins might be the 3 and D guy they are looking for. At least he can hit the 3.