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2016 NBA Mock Draft: Updated Upside Comparisons

By Maxwell Ogden

NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 11: Ben Simmons #25 of the LSU Tigers waits to rebound the ball during the game against the Tennessee Volunteers during the quarterfinals of the SEC Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 11, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 11: Ben Simmons #25 of the LSU Tigers waits to rebound the ball during the game against the Tennessee Volunteers during the quarterfinals of the SEC Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 11, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – MARCH 17: Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Domantas Sabonis (11) celebrates in the waning minutes against the Seton Hall Pirates during the second half of Gonzaga’s 68-52 first round NCAA Tournament game win on Thursday, March 17, 2016. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – MARCH 17: Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Domantas Sabonis (11) celebrates in the waning minutes against the Seton Hall Pirates during the second half of Gonzaga’s 68-52 first round NCAA Tournament game win on Thursday, March 17, 2016. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post via Getty Images) /

player. 73. <strong>Ultimate Upside Comparison:</strong> Zach Randolph<br /> <strong>Safe Upside Comparison:</strong> Greg Monroe<br /> <strong>Age:</strong> 20 (5/3/1996)<br /> <strong>Height, Weight, Wingspan:</strong> 6’10”, 238 pounds, 6’10.5”<br /> <strong>Slash Line:</strong> .611/.357/.769<br /> <strong>Season Averages:</strong> 31.9 MPG, 17.6 PPG, 11.8 RPG, 3.1 ORPG, 1.8 APG, 0.9 BPG <p><strong>Key Strengths</strong></p> <ul> <li>Motor. Plays with a rare raw tenacity.</li> <li>Aggressive and fundamentally sound rebounder.</li> <li>Finishing ability around the rim. Fundamentally sound and relentless.</li> <li>Shooting mechanics. Expanding range.</li> <li>Offensive fundamentals. Footwork and versatility.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Key Weaknesses</strong></p> <ul> <li>Short wingspan. Hurts</li> <li>Average athleticism.</li> <li>Individual defense.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Analysis</strong></p> <p>It’s hard to imagine the Denver Nuggets holding on to all three of its Top 20 draft picks. Emmanuel Mudiay was a Top 10 selection in 2015, two perimeter players have already been added in this hypothetical 2016 scenario, and the Nuggets’ current interior isn’t just deep, but overflowing.</p> <p>Here’s a good rule of thumb to follow in this situation: a team can never—ever, ever, ever—have too much talent.</p> <div class=. Power Forward. Gonzaga Bulldogs. Domantas Sabonis . 19

Domantas Sabonis is the best player available, and that’s exactly why he’s coming off the board at No. 19. Kenneth Faried is highly efficient and athletic, but he’s yet to make the leap that many expected him to.

Even if Faried were to make the leap in 2016-17, adding a competitive young player with an expanding offensive skill set is never a bad idea.

Sabonis has a lot of Zach Randolph in his game as a grind-it-out interior player who can step out and hurt teams as a shooter. He’s not the greatest athlete in the world, but his motor is always running and his physicality is overwhelming.

Denver isn’t a championship-caliber—or even postseason-caliber—team, which makes the strategy simple: get the best possible talent and sort through it once you have it.

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19

Domantas Sabonis

Power Forward, Gonzaga Bulldogs

Denver Nuggets
Denver Nuggets /

Ultimate Upside Comparison:

Zach Randolph

Safe Upside Comparison:

Greg Monroe

Age:

20 (5/3/1996)

Height, Weight, Wingspan:

6’10”, 238 pounds, 6’10.5”

Slash Line:

.611/.357/.769

Season Averages:

31.9 MPG, 17.6 PPG, 11.8 RPG, 3.1 ORPG, 1.8 APG, 0.9 BPG

Key Strengths

  • Motor. Plays with a rare raw tenacity.
  • Aggressive and fundamentally sound rebounder.
  • Finishing ability around the rim. Fundamentally sound and relentless.
  • Shooting mechanics. Expanding range.
  • Offensive fundamentals. Footwork and versatility.

Key Weaknesses

  • Short wingspan. Hurts
  • Average athleticism.
  • Individual defense.

Analysis

It’s hard to imagine the Denver Nuggets holding on to all three of its Top 20 draft picks. Emmanuel Mudiay was a Top 10 selection in 2015, two perimeter players have already been added in this hypothetical 2016 scenario, and the Nuggets’ current interior isn’t just deep, but overflowing.

Here’s a good rule of thumb to follow in this situation: a team can never—ever, ever, ever—have too much talent.

Domantas Sabonis is the best player available, and that’s exactly why he’s coming off the board at No. 19. Kenneth Faried is highly efficient and athletic, but he’s yet to make the leap that many expected him to.

Even if Faried were to make the leap in 2016-17, adding a competitive young player with an expanding offensive skill set is never a bad idea.

Sabonis has a lot of Zach Randolph in his game as a grind-it-out interior player who can step out and hurt teams as a shooter. He’s not the greatest athlete in the world, but his motor is always running and his physicality is overwhelming.

Denver isn’t a championship-caliber—or even postseason-caliber—team, which makes the strategy simple: get the best possible talent and sort through it once you have it.

Next: Indiana Pacers

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