2016 NBA Draft Review

The 2016 NBA Draft was expected to be chaotic, though I’m not sure many expected some of what happened that night. A lot of teams added some very good talent, especially as players unexpectedly started dropping down the board as other teams pulled some surprises in the late lottery.

Philadelphia and Los Angeles stuck to the script by adding the top two prospects in Ben Simmons and Brandon Ingram, and the first nine picks were pretty much as expected, if not exactly in the order many thought. Once we hit the tenth pick, things started to go off the rails a bit.

Here is a team-by-team look back at an interesting night, with my thoughts on how each team did.

Atlanta

Round 1: Taurean Prince, 12; DeAndre Bembry, 21

Round 2: Isaia Cordinier, 44

Analysis: The Hawk’s priority this offseason is resigning free agent Al Horford, but versatile wing Kent Bazemore will also be a free agent, and the Hawks have indicated that they would like to bring him back as well. In case Bazemore isn’t back, the Hawks used their two first round picks on some wings with defensive ability, as well as potential on the offensive end.

Prince seemed to be a reach at #12, but he has good size for the wing, ability from behind the arc, and the length to disrupt on the defensive end. Bembry is a bit smaller, but is a hard-nosed defender with a versatile offensive game, especially his ability to create for others, though he hasn’t shown the ability yet to knock down long-range jumpers consistently. Though neither would be an instant replacement for Bazemore, they provide some depth. With the trade last week of Jeff Teague, which got the Hawks that twelfth pick, it is surprising that the Hawks didn’t look at the point guard to back up Denis Schroeder, though other than Wade Baldwin, there weren’t many in this range worth taking.

Boston

Round 1: Jaylen Brown, 3; Guerschon Yabusele, 16; Ante Zizic, 23

Round 2: Demetrius Jackson, 45; Ben Bentil, 51; Abdel Nader, 58

Analysis: With three first round picks, as well as five second round picks, the 2016 draft was supposed to be all about the Celtics, and while the collection of talent they amassed in the draft is certainly not bad, this was not the end result the team was looking for – trading some of these assets for an established player.

Once they ended up keeping the picks, Boston’s selections were a bit curious. Jaylen Brown was a reach at number three. Though he physically looks the part, he rarely stood out for a hyped freshman this past year, and his game is still needs a lot of development. Guerschon Yabusele is a bull in the paint, and is versatile enough to step out and knock down jumpers, but I think he will have a tough time adjusting on the defensive end in the NBA. Ante Zizic was a solid pick at twenty-three, even if he should be stashed overseas to develop. If he ever reaches the point, he can certainly add some depth to the frontcourt with his size and emerging offensive skill.

I like what the Celtics did in the second round, even if they will be hard-pressed to find the space for these guys. Demetrius Jackson was a steal in the mid-second round, and is probably already better than the Celtics’ first-round pick last year, Terry Rozier, but another small guard is not really something the team needed. Ben Bentil has good size and shooting ability, and Nader has really developed well over the past few years at Iowa State, especially with his ability to attack off the dribble.

Brooklyn

Round 1: Caris LeVert, 20

Round 2: Isaiah Whitehead, 42

Analysis: Armed with just a late second-round pick to start the draft, the Nets made a couple of moves, including dealing Thaddeus Young to Indiana for a first-round pick, to help add some talent to its depleted roster. Some may have an issue with Brooklyn taking Caris LeVert at twenty coming off of two injury-shortened seasons, but when you are as bad as the Nets are, there is no harm in swinging for the fences, and without the injury problems, LeVert was a lottery-level talent, and he’ll be an instant upgrade to a mediocre backcourt.

The Nets made a deal to get the pick at forty-two to grab Isaiah Whitehead, a Brooklyn native, and one of college basketball’s more dynamic guards. He has to cut down on his mistakes, but the versatility he can bring on offense is worth the pick.

Charlotte

Round 1: None

Round 2: None

Analysis: The Hornets traded away the draft rights to Malachi Richardson to Sacramento in exchange for shooting guard Marco Belinelli. While the Hornets are more in need of a player who can contribute now, and Richardson certainly doesn’t fit that, I’m not sure the declining Belinelli was worth a bright young prospect in Richardson.

Chicago

Round 1: Denzel Valentine, 14

Round 2: Paul Zipser, 48

Analysis: Add Chicago to the list of teams that stated to rework their roster before the draft started, dealing Derrick Rose to New York for Robin Lopez, Jerian Grant, and Jose Calderon. While they could have addressed their hole at the point guard position by taking Wade Baldwin at fourteen, the Bulls still did well by adding the versatile offensive talent of Denzel Valentine. There are some concerns over Valentine’s knees, but, if healthy, his ability to shoot and create off the dribble will be valuable in Fred Hoiberg’s offense. The Bulls then added athletic wing Paul Zipser from Germany in the second round. While not likely to come over now, Zipser’s ability to slash to the basket could become valuable if he can add other pieces to his game.

Cleveland

Round 1: None

Round 2: Kay Felder, 54

Analysis: The Cavaliers moved into the second round late to grab Kay Felder, the 5’9 point guard out of Oakland. Fast, strong, and able to score in a variety of ways, Felder could provide some excitement down the road for the Cavaliers, but I’d expect him to play next season in Canton.

Dallas

Round 1: None

Round 2: AJ Hammons, 46

Analysis: While not having a first round selection, the Mavericks still did very well in the middle of the second round, grabbing seven-footer AJ Hammons out of Purdue, one of the more skilled big men in this class. Hammons is developed into a versatile offensive player, while anchoring the post well on defense. Though a senior, Hammons still has some potential to grow on both ends of the floor, though he will need to show the consistency he finally showed as a senior to get there.

Denver

Round 1: Jamal Murray, 7; Juan Hernangomez, 21; Malik Beasley, 19

Round 2: Petr Cornelie, 53

Analysis: The Nuggets were one of four teams with three first round selections, and they seemed to make the most of them. Jamal Murray, one of the best shooters in this class, fell to the Nuggets at seven. Murray is a fantastic spot shooter, but his ability to play the point guard position is overblown, and his size had made it difficult for him to get his shots against lengthy defenders. On top of that, he is a defensive liability, but he is a good pick if you can get him the space he needs for his shot.

The Nuggets may have gotten the better long-term shooting guard prospect at nineteen with Malik Beasley, an athletic, more versatile scorer, who also has shown some potential defending on the perimeter. Juan Hernangomez is an athletic stretch four, and his improvement seems to have been rapid the past couple of years. He may be one of the few international players from this class who can come in now and help his team with his ability to knock down shots and pass. Petr Corenelie is another stretch four, but not as skilled, and not likely to come over to play in the NBA now.

Detroit

Round 1: Henry Ellenson, 18

Round 2: Michael Gbinije, 49

Analysis: As talent started to drop after some curious moves earlier in the draft, the Pistons were a beneficiary, landing a top ten prospect in Henry Ellenson at number eighteen. An inside-outside forward with great size, Ellenson could become the long-term solution as a stretch four next to Andre Drummond, with the ability to back-up Drummond also with his size and rebounding ability. Some may be concerned with Ellenson’s athleticism, but it’s really a non-issue with all that he does well. Grabbing Gbinije near the end of the draft was also another solid move for the Pistons, giving them a wing who can knock down long-range shots, as well as create off the dribble.

Golden State

Round 1: Damian Jones, 30

Round 2: Patrick McCaw, 38

Analysis: The Warriors did a great job in this draft, especially considering they didn’t have their first pick until the last spot in the first round. Damian Jones is an athletic big man who probably would have gone a bit higher if not for a torn pectoral muscle that occurred during pre-draft workouts. Jones is a good defender and shot-blocker, though his consistency and motor are still big question marks. With Festus Ezeli likely to make more in free agency than the Warriors will want to pay, Jones should be able to step in sooner rather than later.

Getting Patrick McCaw at number thirty-eight may have been one of the best value picks in the draft. He can play three positions, has great instincts on defense, and still has a lot of upside. His decision-making can be suspect, but he should be put in better positions on the wing than at point guard, and if he can become a consistent shooter, he’ll become a valuable rotation player.

Houston

Round 1: None

Round 2: Chinanu Onuaku, 37; Zhou Qi, 43

Analysis: Without a first round pick, which went to Denver in the Ty Lawson deal, the Rockets still did fairly well with two picks in the second round, going big with both of them. Onuaku has great size, strength, and athleticism for the center position, even if his game is still very raw. His game is about blocks and dunks, which should fare him well as a back-up big man. A few picks later, the Rockets nabbed Chinese prospect Zhou Qi, a skilled 7’2 big man, who can knock down mid-range jumpers, and has the length to be a problem around the basket, but he isn’t very strong or athletic, and the step-up in competition could be a problem for him. Still, a good risk in the middle of the second round.

Indiana

Round 1: None

Round 2: Georges Niang, 50

Analysis: No team made as big an improvement in the days leading up to the draft like the Pacers, who added Jeff Teague and Thaddeus Young, the latter who cost them the number twenty pick in this draft, which seems like a steal.

Near the end of the second round, the Pacers took Iowa State senior Georges Niang, a highly-skilled forward who can knock down long-range shots, see the floor well, and throw some nifty passes. He isn’t the most athletic guy in the draft, but if you witnessed how he worked to transform his body during college, the work ethic is there to eventually become a contributor.

Los Angeles Clippers

Round 1: Brice Johnson, 25

Round 2: David Michineau, 39; Diamond Stone, 40

Analysis: I like what the Clippers did in this draft, especially grabbing Brice Johnson near the end of the first round. Johnson is a high-level athlete, with the ability to impact the boards on both ends of the floor, as well as a strong offensive game from 10 to 15 feet. He has some defensive elapses, but nothing that can’t be improved upon.

Diamond Stone was a great value pick at number forty. The talented Maryland freshman big man looks the part, but still needs time to develop on both ends of the floor, but there is a lot of potential, especially on the offensive end of the floor.

Los Angeles Lakers

Round 1: Brandon Ingram, 2

Round 2: Ivica Zubac, 32

Analysis: The Lakers did very well for themselves, adding a potential superstar in Brandon Ingram, as well as a young big man with some upside in Ivica Zubac. Ingram, a long, athletic wing with the ability to knock down long-range jumpers, as well as attack the basket, is probably already the Lakers’ best option on offense, and he should continue to improve rapidly. He’s not a very good defender, but with his 7’3-7’4 wingspan, Ingram has already shown some shot-blocking ability, as well as the ability to disrupt passing lanes just by putting his arms out.

Zubac is a skilled offensive player around the basket, and though not a great defender or rim protector, he could be a solid long-term back-up in the NBA once he gets some experience.

Memphis

Round 1: Wade Baldwin, 17

Round 2: Deyonta Davis, 31; Rade Zagorac, 35; Wang Zhelin, 57

Analysis: The Grizzlies sat and watched the chaos ensue starting in the late lottery, and came away with a great pick at seventeen in Wade Baldwin. Baldwin is an athletic point guard who can knock down the three with some consistency. He has some issues with control and finishing at the rim, but there is a lot of potential here. If Mike Conley leaves via free agency, Baldwin may not be his immediate replacement, but he will add better depth to the position.

The fall of potential lottery pick Deyonta Davis all the way to the second round was one of the more mind-boggling parts of a crazy draft night, but Memphis was smart to snatch him up with the first pick of round two. Davis has great size and athletic ability, and though very raw, there is enough potential here that should have warranted a first-round pick. Zagorac is a big wing with some ability to put the ball on the floor and get to the basket, as well the beginnings of a consistent jumper, though likely to stay overseas for another year or two. Wang Zhelin is a mediocre Chinese seven-footer, and I’ll be surprised if he ever makes it to the NBA.

Miami

Round 1: None

Round 2: None

Analysis: Nothing to show here for the Heat, after scoring big with Justise Winslow and Josh Richardson last year.

Milwaukee

Round 1: Thon Maker, 10

Round 2: Malcolm Brogdon, 36

Analysis: The Bucks are no stranger to winning big on gambles, having taken Giannis Antetokounmpo a few years back, but Thon Maker at number ten is one of the more bizarre draft decisions I’ve seen in recent years. Maker has great size and length, and though he has shown some skill, his development has been misguided over the years, and he hasn’t seemed to improve since his guardian moved him to Canada a couple of years back. There is no doubt that Maker plays hard, but I have my doubts if he will ever get up to speed at the NBA level.

Malcolm Brogdon was a good pick at thirty-six, giving the Bucks a strong defensive guard who can knock down long-range shots, and has a high basketball IQ.

Minnesota

Round 1: Kris Dunn, 5

Round 2: None

Analysis: This was a great pick for the Timberwolves, a year after scoring huge with Karl-Anthony Towns. Kris Dunn is an experienced point guard with athletic ability and length, both which he uses well to lockdown on the defensive end, which should make new coach Tom Thibodeau very happy. His decision-making can be spotty, and his jumper is inconsistent, but Dunn knows how to make plays, and should learn a lot behind Ricky Rubio, if he pays attention. Long-term, if Dunn shows he has the makings of a starting point guard, it could make Rubio a valuable trade chip as Minnesota looks to ascend the Western Conference standings.

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New Orleans

Round 1: Buddy Hield, 6

Round 2: Cheick Diallo, 33

Analysis: Add the Pelicans to the list of teams which did very well in this draft, adding two players who could make a long-term impact in New Orleans. Buddy Hield, the best shooter in the draft, was a much-needed addition to a bare backcourt, and his work ethic and personality should quickly win over the fan base. Hield is a more versatile scorer than usually discussed, with some passing ability off the dribble, and has potential on the defensive end. Hield could make an impact quicker than almost anyone in this draft.

Cheick Diallo’s lone year at Kansas was a mess, between the NCAA investigation and lack of playing time, but the potential that made him a sought-after high school recruit is still untapped. While very raw, and having little understanding of what to do on the floor, Diallo plays with a lot of energy, can run the floor, has the makings of a mid-range jumper, and can block shots. It may take a while for him to get up to speed, but the end results could make him a valuable rotation player.

New York

Round 1: None

Round 2: None

Analysis: It’s bad enough that the Knicks lost a lottery pick in a deal for Andrea Bargnani, but after Phil Jackson insisted that the team would find its way into the draft, not a peep was heard from them, even as talent was falling down the board. It’s possible that any decent expendable asset they had was used in the Derrick Rose trade, but they still could have picked up some talent for a team that desperately needs some.

Oklahoma City

Round 1: Domantas Sabonis, 11

Round 2: Daniel Hamilton, 56

Analysis: The Thunder moved their way into the lottery with as part of a bigger deal which sent Serge Ibaka to Orlando and brought back the eleventh pick and Victor Oladipo. With that pick, the Thunder added a fantastic player in Domantas Sabonis, a skilled forward who plays as physical as any college player I’ve seen in the past few years. Sabonis isn’t a great defender, but he is a beast on the boards, and he will add some toughness to the forward position that Enes Kanter lacks, though Sabonis isn’t the scorer Kanter is. In the late second round, the Thunder added a nice player for their D-League squad in Daniel Hamilton, a versatile guard with little shooting ability.

Orlando

Round 1: None

Round 2: Stephen Zimmerman, 41

Analysis: As just discussed above, the Magic gave up the number eleven pick in a deal with Orlando which brought them Serge Ibaka. It’s tough to tell this early, but both teams may end up doing well in that deal. With their second round pick, the Magic grabbed seven-footer Stephen Zimmerman, whose freshman year at UNLV was a bit of a mess between the chaos of the program, as well as an injury. He’s a skilled big man who can stretch the floor and block shots, and at just 19, there is a lot of room for him to develop. Zimmerman could end up being a steal at this point in the second round if he reaches his potential.

Philadelphia

Round 1: Ben Simmons, 1; Timothe Luwawu-Cabarott, 24; Furkan Korkmaz, 26

Round 2: None

Analysis: The Sixers finally got their long-coveted number one pick, and they got a good player in Ben Simmons, even if he isn’t the cornerstone type player to build a team around. Still, he is a great addition to the young players they’ve drafted over the last few years. Simmons is a tremendous ballhandler and passer for 6’10, with the ability to score in the post, or take the ball to the rim off the dribble. In short, he can be a mismatch nightmare, even with his lack of perimeter shooting ability. Defensively, it’s unsure who exactly Simmons will be able to guard, but he uses his length well around the rim, and is a very good rebounder.

The addition of Timothe Luwawu-Cabarott and Furkan Korkmaz were great values near the end of the first round, though neither is ready to contribute at the NBA level now, and one, or maybe both, will be back in Europe to gain some needed experience. Luwawu is an athletic wing, though not as good as the internet seems to think right now, while Korkmaz has the ability to stretch the floor with his shooting ability. Both can be rotation players in the future.

Phoenix

Round 1: Dragan Bender, 4; Marquese Chriss, 8

Round 2: Tyler Ulis, 34

Analysis: The Suns were in need of a power forward who could stretch the floor, and ended up with two in the top ten picks. Dragan Bender is a skilled seven-footer, with the ability to knock down jumpers, put the ball on the floor a bit, and shows good mobility on both ends of the floor. Marquese Chriss is a fantastic athlete who showed the ability to do a bit of everything last year, even if it seemed like he didn’t really understand what he is doing. While both have potential as long-range shooters, they are different, and can both be match-up problems on the floor, though Chriss is probably abler to help sooner with his ability to score in transition.

Ulis was a solid second round pick, and even at 5’10, he is a commanding presence running the point. Though not a great shooter, or able to finish at the rim, he has great vision and passing ability, and can be a very good perimeter defender.

Portland

Round 1: None

Round 2: Jake Layman, 47

Analysis: Denver had Portland’s first round pick this year, which they probably could have used this year with a number of role players becoming free agents this summer. In the second round, the Blazers still got a good player in 6’9 wing Jake Layman. Layman is very athletic, with the ability to knock down long-range jumpers or attack the basket, and the ability to defend multiple positions. He should be able to establish himself as a role player in Portland over the next few years.

Sacramento

Round 1: Georgios Papagiannis, 13; Malachi Richardson, 22; Skal Labissiere, 28

Round 2: Isaiah Cousins, 59

Analysis: Leave it to Sacramento to leave people scratching their heads on draft night. Sitting at number eight, the Kings had local product, and high-level prospect, Marquese Chriss fall into their laps. Instead, they traded the rights to Chriss to Phoenix for the rights to Georgios Papagiannis and Skal Labissiere. Papagiannis, a young big man from Greece, has good size and decent skill, but his value was nowhere near that of the thirteenth pick. Labissiere has more potential, especially as a stretch four, which Sacramento needs, but his lackluster season in college had him in a free fall draft night, dependent on John Calipari to find someone to pick him. As part of the deal with Phoenix, the Kings also received the rights to young European star Bogdan Bogdanovic, who may have a bright future in the NBA, but has yet to come over yet.

The Kings did make a good deal with Hornets to add another first round pick, trading Marco Belinelli for the draft rights to Malachi Richardson. Richardson is an athletic wing with good length, and a knack for scoring, though he is a few years away from being ready for the NBA.

The best pick of the night for the Kings may have come with the second-to-last pick of the draft, grabbing point guard Isaiah Cousins from Oklahoma. The Kings have a serious need at the point position, and Cousins can step in as a back-up quickly.

San Antonio

Round 1: Dejounte Murray, 29

Round 2: None

Analysis: Somehow the Spurs always find a way to make things happen while regularly drafting near the end of the first round. I’m not a huge fan of Dejounte Murray, an athletic point guard with good size, but a penchant for bad decisions and a lack of shooting ability. But, if anyone can find a way to cure Murray of his awful habits on the floor, it would be the Spurs, and this could end up being a great value pick a few years down the road.

Toronto

Round 1: Jakob Poeltl, 9; Pascal Siakam, 27

Round 2: None

Analysis: The Raptors had a plan coming into this draft to upgrade their frontcourt depth, and they achieved that with both of their first round selections. Jakob Poeltl, a seven-footer from Austria, is a skilled offensive player, showing ability as a low-post and pick-and-roll option. Poeltl is an average defender, but a solid rebounder, and should be a solid long-term back-up at the NBA level. Pascal Siakam is a high-energy rebounder and shot-blocker, with the ability to find his points without having to be a main option in the offense.

Utah

Round 1: None

Round 2: Joel Bolomboy, 52; Marcus Paige, 55; Tyrone Wallace, 60

Analysis: The Jazz traded away the twelfth pick in a deal which ended up getting them point guard George Hill, a needed upgrade at the point guard position. With three picks near the end of the draft, the Jazz still netted some NBA-level talent, especially power forward Joel Bolomboy. Bolomboy is a very good rebounder and defender, with an offensive game which is still improving. His high-energy play should get him time off the bench.

With their last two selections, the Jazz grabbed point guards Marcus Paige and Tyrone Wallace, though both will be hard-pressed to make the roster in the near future. Paige is a great shooter, underrated distributor, and though he doesn’t have great size or speed, he is a quality defender and has a knack for hitting big shots. Wallace has good size for the point guard position, though his lack of shooting ability makes it tough for him to force defenses to come out on him to set up his drive-and-kick game.

Washington

Round 1: None

Round 2: None

Analysis: The Wizards gave up their first round pick in a deal for Markieff Morris, and opted to sit out as talent started to slide down the board. With some major free agent questions, and not may disposable assets, it was likely for the best.

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