Official 2016 SI NBA Mock Draft Discussion Thread

[Stray32]

Keep all discussion regarding the mock in this thread.

 

[bosoxlover12]

The third pick came down to two guys: Jaylen Brown and Dragan Bender. Both are defensive small forwards with the ability to be a stretch 4 (although I wouldn't put Jaylen there).

The biggest factor in this decision was evaluating future impact with immediate impact. The Celtics had four wing players in total last season -- Jae Crowder, Evan Turner, RJ Hunter, and James Young. While cheap and youthful still, Young's development has been lackluster, and seems doubtful that he can contribute on a significant level. Hunter is a below average defender at this point, and his shooting touch needs refinement still. He'll be in the D-League often, again. Turner is a UFA, and with a large salary cap and coming off of an impressive season, Turner earned the right to make $12M+ annually, which I don't think Boston should match for a backup.

That leaves one capable wing on the entire team in Crowder -- and if he goes down that pidgenholes the team in starting three guys below 6'4" at the same time. So it all matters on how Danny accesses Free Agency. If he has a plan to get another wing, like Kent Bazemore, Gerald Henderson, or Harrison Barnes, or re-signing Turner, then Jaylen might not be the pick. Bender is absolutely a possibility to be selected, although he is not playing for us this year. He'd be selected as an asset for the future -- a classic Danny Ainge move.

I'd prefer a trade overall, to get Jahlil or a different year's 1st rounder, but knowing how we aren't doing trades this was my verdict.

 

[Hurricane Season]

Was debating between Hield, Murray and Dunn at 5.  The Wolves are absolutely fucking desperate for anyone that knows how to shoot a basketball, so that narrowed it down to Hield and Murray.  Murray may have been a better overall fit, but I feel like Hield could step in and make an immediate impact offensively.  He was an adequate defender for someone that was relied upon offensively as much as he was, so Thibs will have plenty to work with.

 

[jonathanlambert33]

I think a guy like Dunn is going to be incredibly difficult for Thibs to pass on.  But I agree, Hields ability to knock down a shot may be too much to pass on.

 

[Stray32]

Yeah I think Dunn is far too interesting for them to pass on, especially since their team is so young that I think they'd go with BPA and let the shooting (or whatever other coaching points) develop among their players rather than just going for the guy who can contribute more immediately, so I really don't think Hield goes that high, but depends how much of a premium they put on shooting
 
Also worth mentioning, Bender to the Suns would be a great pick for them
 
Oh and I'm really really not high on Jaylen Brown so that pick was iffy to me (in terms of quality not realism) but I do understand it and could see it

 

[jonathanlambert33]

Dunn and Jrue would be a fantastic defensive backcourt, I don't see any issues on that end.  I would say ideally, Kris Dunn runs Alvin's offense 60-70% of the time when he and Jrue share the court (once Dunn gets adjusted to the  NBA in year 2), and Jrue runs it the remaining 30-40% of the time.  Jrue Holiday is a big threat playing off the ball, but will Dunn develop a good enough jumper to make defenses respect him?  If he can do that and stay injury free, he and Jrue could be one of the leagues best backcourts.  Better than Jrue and Buddy, even if Buddy reaches his ceiling, because I don't think either of those guys can run an offense to perfection against a quick/athletic team.  I also think adding a SF next to Dunn/Jrue would be easier than adding one next to Jrue/Hield.  With Dunn/Jrue you need a knockdown shooter who doesn't require a high usage, with Jrue/Hield you need a guy who can create, distribute, and knock down a shot.

 

[Paulius]

Sabonis>>>>

 

[Stray32]

I personally love his skillset but gotta ask, you guys really think Sabonis will go in the top 10? I wouldn't blame a team for it at all I just feel like they'll be drawn to the guys with massive upside

 

[bosoxlover12]

I think he can

Someone like Chriss will either be a really good player, or an absolute bust. Sabonis doesn't have nearly the upside, but he's probably the least likely prospect to bust imo

 

[Pugz]

id love sabonis in detroit but i can see him fit in with a few teams before us. hed be solid in the mess that is sacramento.

 

[Adebayo]

Thoughts on Murray for Denver?
 
I was in a bit of a bind because the Nuggets have a few solid guards and a few solid bigs, so a wing would've made sense but I didn't really feel comfortable with any of the wings on the board. 

 

[Stray32]

I'll pick for the Jazz in a bit, doing a quick bit of research on what their fan sites/beat writers say about their draft and right now have a list of five guys I might take for them
 
I like Skal for the Magic, would continue to build a young team with huge upside and I like the fit with the rest of the youth on the team in terms of skillset
 

Thoughts on Murray for Denver?
 
I was in a bit of a bind because the Nuggets have a few solid guards and a few solid bigs, so a wing would've made sense but I didn't really feel comfortable with any of the wings on the board. 

I like it, there's a couple guys I think Denver would look hard at too but hard to pass on him if he drops that far

 

[Paulius]

I actually think he might drop out the top 10 if raptors dont take him at 9. Really really hope he drops to 14, and bulls take him

@stray32

 

[Stray32]

Went with Timothe Luwawu out of France for the Jazz. He and Wade Baldwin are really similar in terms of both being SGs (Baldwin is a SG-PG, Luwawu is a SG-SF) with length who shoot and pass well, dribble and create especially out of the P&R, guard two positions and use their length defensively, similar weaknesses too including a bit of a turnover/decision-making problem. I give Luwawu the slight edge (positionally Utah could go either way) but will be interesting to see which goes first in the draft because their skillsets are pretty similar
 

I actually think he might drop out the top 10 if raptors dont take him at 9. Really really hope he drops to 14, and bulls take him

@stray32

Personally I think mid-teens is where he'll go, he definitely has an NBA future I just don't think he has the upside on either side of the ball of a lot of other guys this year - including a big man that irl I'm pretty sure will go 11 at the latest but hasn't gone yet in our mock (didn't make sense at all for Utah)

 

[bosoxlover12]

bitch i wanted luwaulu lol

 

[Paulius]

Went with Timothe Luwawu out of France for the Jazz. He and Wade Baldwin are really similar in terms of both being SGs (Baldwin is a SG-PG, Luwawu is a SG-SF) with length who shoot and pass well, dribble and create especially out of the P&R, guard two positions and use their length defensively, similar weakness too including a bit of a turnover/decision-making problem. I give Luwawu the slight edge (positionally Utah could go either way) but will be interesting to see which goes first in the draft because their skillsets are pretty similar
 
Personally I think mid-teens is where he'll go, he definitely has an NBA future I just don't think he has the upside on either side of the ball of a lot of other guys this year - including a big man that irl I'm pretty sure will go 11 at the latest but hasn't gone yet in our mock (didn't make sense at all for Utah)

Its about whats inside of his chest mah man

 

[Stray32]

Another guy I'm really surprised to be going this late in our mock, Marquese Chriss

 

[Cloud 9]

Went with Deyonta Davis on behalf of the Bulls. The Bulls were the worst team in the league when it came to protecting the rim off drives to the basket last season, and Noah + Gasol are as good as gone and Taj is getting older and always battling injuries, so we've got to start rebuilding the frontcourt. Really liked his wingspan and athleticism for a big man, think he can and will be a strong defender and rebounder with the potential to develop on the offensive end and become a legit 2 way player. He and Bobby Portis would give us 2 very promising, tough, physical, athletic, high energy big men with unique skill sets who can crash the boards and run the floor with the best of them. This pick helps address a major current need and gives us a lot of hope for the future with the overwhelming amount of potential Davis possesses. The other prospects I had considered at this point were Henry Ellenson, Wade Baldwin, Demetrius Jackson, and Damian Jones, in that order. Was too worried about Ellenson's defensive concerns to pull the trigger on him though and I just couldn't justify taking another defensively challenged big man regardless of the offensive potential, as we've already been there and done that before with Boozer and Gasol. I was also really open to taking a PG like Baldwin or D-Jack to begin grooming for when we move on from Rose in the near future / provide insurance for when Rose gets banged up, but wasn't quite as high on them as I was Davis, who I felt had the highest upside out of all of the players I mentioned

 

[Stray32]

Yeah Deyonta Davis is the player I was talking about who I'm fairly confident will go in the top 11. And it's not an instinct I had watching him all year, and tbh I didn't even think he'd come out for the draft at all because when I was watching MSU I never really thought "they need to go to Deyonta more" he was just a great complementary player. But watching the scouting on him made me realize why he came out and why somebody's gonna fall in love with him. He has huge two-way upside with a strong, diverse skillset (and young and a good size and frame). Solid shot, great hands to catch any pass/lob/rebound, great shot-blocker and could become a great rim protector, solid rebounder. If he falls to Chicago I think they jump, if he falls to Detroit I think SVG "runs" that card to the podium, but looking at the draft I just don't see him getting past the Magic at 11 at the latest

 

[Cloud 9]

Yeah Deyonta Davis is the player I was talking about who I'm fairly confident will go in the top 11. And it's not an instinct I had watching him all year, and tbh I didn't even think he'd come out for the draft at all because when I was watching MSU I never really thought "they need to go to Deyonta more" he was just a great complementary player. But watching the scouting on him made me realize why he came out and why somebody's gonna fall in love with him. He has huge two-way upside with a strong, diverse skillset (and young and a good size and frame). Solid shot, great hands to catch any pass/lob/rebound, great shot-blocker and could become a great rim protector, solid rebounder. If he falls to Chicago I think they jump, if he falls to Detroit I think SVG "runs" that card to the podium, but looking at the draft I just don't see him getting past the Magic at 11 at the latest

Yeah I knew that's who you were alluding too earlier, I agree completely, dude is probably too promising to fall to the Bulls at 14 but for the sake of this mock I couldn't let him keep falling, the value combined with the Bulls needs were a perfect match IMO. I've read a lot suggesting that the Bulls front office is determined to make a play for a promising young guard in the draft, but that was the same thing they said last year and then Bobby Portis fell into our laps and the value was too good to pass up so they pulled the trigger, so anything is possible here, but if Davis somehow falls to their pick I think it's a done deal. Portis and Davis is something the fans can really get excited about in the frontcourt for years to come