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2016 NBA Mock Draft: Every Team’s Ideal Fit

By Maxwell Ogden

Mar 17, 2016; Raleigh, NC, USA; Providence Friars guard Kris Dunn (3) celebrates with Providence Friars forward Ben Bentil (0) after a play against the USC Trojans during the second half at PNC Arena. The Friars wins 70-69. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2016; Raleigh, NC, USA; Providence Friars guard Kris Dunn (3) celebrates with Providence Friars forward Ben Bentil (0) after a play against the USC Trojans during the second half at PNC Arena. The Friars wins 70-69. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 10, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Providence Friars forward Ben Bentil (0) drives to the basket against Butler Bulldogs forward Tyler Wideman (4) during the second half of Big East conference tournament at Madison Square Garden. Providence Friars defeated Butler Bulldogs 74-60. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 10, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Providence Friars forward Ben Bentil (0) drives to the basket against Butler Bulldogs forward Tyler Wideman (4) during the second half of Big East conference tournament at Madison Square Garden. Providence Friars defeated Butler Bulldogs 74-60. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /

51. Atlanta Hawks: Nigel Hayes, Wisconsin Badgers

  • At this point in the NBA Draft, why not? Nigel Hayes is a positionally versatile player who, in the past, has drawn comparisons to current Atlanta Hawks power forward Paul Millsap. He had a down year in 2015-16, and that is concerning, but Hayes is a good basketball player. He may not be built for life in the spotlight, but as a role player, he can be a very effective contributor. Versatility pays.

52. Boston Celtics (via Heat): Isaiah Whitehead, Seton Hall Pirates

  • The Boston Celtics have drafted enough players to build an entirely new rotation. One of the few missing pieces from this draft class—and, aside from Isaiah Thomas, the roster—is a player who can come in and provide instant offense. That’s who Isaiah Whitehead could become. Whitehead is wildly inefficient, and still quite raw, but he can score from all over the court. His upside is legitimate, and his versatility on both ends could prove invaluable for Brad Stevens.

53. Utah Jazz (via Celtics): Jarrod Uthoff, Iowa Hawkeyes

  • The Utah Jazz have enough draft picks to gamble. At pick No. 53, why wouldn’t they? Jarrod Uthoff makes it easy to do, as one of the most well-rounded players in this draft class. He’s thin for a 22-year-old power forward, but he has a nice combination of size and skill. He stands at 6’10” and shot above 37 percent from 3-point range in three consecutive seasons.

54. Denver Nuggets (via Hornets): Kay Felder, Oakland Grizzlies

  • The Denver Nuggets don’t need very much, but attempting to find a potential backup point guard wouldn’t be such a bad idea at No. 54. Kay Felder certainly has the skill to thrive under head coach Michael Malone, so why not give him a shot? Despite standing at 5’9″, Felder averaged 24.2 points, 9.3 assists, 4.1 rebounds, 2.0 steals, and 2.1 3-point field goals made as a junior. Numbers only say so much, but he has quite the fan base in NBA Draft circles.

55. Brooklyn Nets (via Clippers): Robert Carter Jr., Maryland Terrapins

  • The Brooklyn Nets could go need, but the rational option is to find a player who fits. Brook Lopez is an interior-oriented big man, and that makes Robert Carter Jr. the smart pick. Carter Jr. is a 6’8″ power forward with a 7’2″ wingspan and 3-point range. He has the potential to develop into a stretch 4, and that makes him the type of weapon Kenny Atkinson can develop—a la Paul Millsap.

56. Denver Nuggets (via Thunder): Prince Ibeh, Texas Longhorns

  • The Denver Nuggets have drafted enough players to go best player available. In this instance, that player is center Prince Ibeh. Ibeh actually fills a potential need—shot-blocking—as a big and productive rim protector. He was No. 7 in the country in block percentage and cracked the Top 40 in offensive rebound percentage. Per 40 averages of 4.4 blocks and 5.0 offensive boards are intriguing enough to justify interest.

57. Memphis Grizzlies (via Raptors): Sheldon McClellan, Miami Hurricanes

  • The Memphis Grizzlies found a point guard in Round 1 in Vanderbilt Commodores floor general Wade Baldwin IV. at No. 57 overall, Memphis takes a player who has an NBA-caliber combination of virtues in Sheldon McClellan. McClellan is an athletic shooting guard with 3-point range. He’s already 23 years old, but that doesn’t change the fact that he’s the type of player Dave Joerger can turn into a high-quality contributor.

58. Boston Celtics (via Cavaliers): Yogi Ferrell, Indiana Hoosiers

  • One of the most popular players in this draft class is Indiana Hoosiers point guard Yogi Ferrell. He may or may not catch on with the Boston Celtics, but Boston has too many available draft picks to pass over a player this talented. The worst case scenario is that it doesn’t work out. The best case scenario is that Ferrell does for Boston what he’s done for Indiana: envigorate the locker room, step up in the clutch, and outshine all expectations.

59. Sacramento Kings (via Spurs): Ben Bentil, Providence Friars

  • Providence power forward Ben Bentil is an intriguing player. He’s a very strong 6’9″ and 235 pounds with the combination of skill and physicality to carve out a very strong NBA career. He can shoot with range beyond the arc—he made 48 3-point field goals in 2015-16—and does an excellent job of playing through contact. Bentil’s still developing his jump shot, but he’s already improved to the point of being on the NBA radar as a potential stretch 4. The Sacramento Kings have nothing to lose here.

More hoops habit: Which of the current NBA stars made the 2015-16 HoopsHabit All-NBA Teams?

60. Utah Jazz (via Warriors): Chinanu Onuaku, Louisville Cardinals

  • The Utah Jazz already have a deep interior, but at No. 60 overall, there’s no harm in going best player available. Louisville center Chinanu Onuaku is a victim of circumstance. He has genuine NBA potential as an athletic rim protector who can alter shots and keep his man off the boards. He may be raw as a prospect, but Mr. Irrelevant could become a high-quality NBA player.
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