By Julie Glass
The NBA draft is tonight, and here is our final mock:
| 1. SIXERS | |
 | Ben Simmons, SF, LSU: Simmons finally agreed, last week, to meet with Philly’s front office, and now it’s fairly clear that, barring a surprise, the one-and-done phenom from LSU will be the top pick tonight. So the 2016 NBA Draft is going to begin exactly how most have believed it would begin for many years — with Simmons going first overall. |
| 2. LOS ANGELES LAKERS | |
 | Brandon Ingram, SF, Duke: Los Angeles would’ve preferred Simmons, I’m told. But getting Ingram is still a great outcome for the post-Kobe Lakers. He’s a long athlete who shot 41 percent from 3-point range in one season at Duke. I can’t promise he’s the next Kevin Durant. But when you watch him, it’s easy to see why those comparisons exist. Ingram would fit perfectly with the Lakers’ young core. He could be the player who helps return the franchise to respectability. |
| 3. BOSTON CELTICS | |
 | Jamal Murray, SG, Kentucky: The Celtics could go a variety of ways here or trade the pick. But, if they keep it, I won’t be surprised if they go with Murray, whom I believe is the third-best prospect in this draft. He made 79 of 100 3-point attempts during a recent workout with the Celtics in a performance that suggested there’s nothing fluky about the 40.8 percent he shot from 3-point range during his one season at Kentucky. And Boston really needs shooting. So the Celtics going this direction — again, if they keep the pick — makes sense on multiple levels. |
| 4. PHOENIX SUNS | |
 | Dragan Bender, PF, Israel: Bender is widely regarded as the top draft-eligible prospect who didn’t play college basketball this season, and there’s little doubt he’ll be selected in the top half of the lottery. To be clear, Boston has scouted him extensively and could take him third. But if the Celtics pass, the Suns probably won’t — especially considering Bender is an 18-year-old power forward who should develop into a nice stretch-four at the NBA level, and Phoenix has a need at that position. |
| 5. MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES | |
 | Buddy Hield, SG, Oklahoma: Minnesota coach Tom Thibodeau accurately believes the Timberwolves are ready to break through and make the NBA Playoffs soon. So drafting someone who can contribute immediately makes sense, and Hield is undeniably ready to play as a rookie. The reigning CBS Sports National Player of the Year is probably the best shooter in this draft, meaning he’d be a great addition to a Minnesota team that ranked 25th in 3-point shooting this season while finishing 29-53. |
| 6. NEW ORLEANS PELICANS | |
 | Kris Dunn, PG, Providence: Anthony Davis has played four seasons in New Orleans. He’s missed the playoffs three times. He’s still never won a postseason game. So the Pelicans need to use this pick to get him somebody who can contribute now, and Dunn is that somebody. The point guard might be the best plug-and-play prospect in this draft. He could start on opening night if the Pelicans need him to start on opening night, and I could easily see a Dunn-Davis duo being terrific in the Western Conference. |
| 7. DENVER NUGGETS | |
 | Marquese Chriss, PF, Washington: Chriss’ rise up draft boards is historic in the sense that he could, and likely will, become the first one-and-done prospect to be selected in the top 10 after not being ranked in the top 50 of his high school class. He’s not yet as polished as some other prospects because he hasn’t been playing organized basketball as long as most others. But Chriss has a higher ceiling than almost anyone in this draft; that seems to be a consensus opinion. And multiple sources have told me there’s just no way he’s going to fall past the Nuggets or Kings, and some believe Chriss could go as high as third. |
| 8. SACRAMENTO KINGS | |
 | Jaylen Brown, SG, California: Brown is another player who could go anywhere from third to eighth, but almost certainly no lower than here. He’s a top-shelf athlete. But he’s the one guy in this range that everybody seems intrigued by but few love. Why didn’t he close more strongly at Cal? Is he coachable or a young guy who thinks he already has all the answers? These are questions scouts are asking, I’m told. But, at some point in the top 10, somebody will take Brown simply because he’s a big wing who can play the four in a small-ball lineup, and big wings who can play the four in small-ball lineups are more valuable than ever in the NBA. |
| 9. TORONTO RAPTORS | |
 | Henry Ellenson, PF-C, Marquette: Toronto has a need at power forward, which makes Ellenson an option. The one-and-done prospect from Marquette is only 19. And though he didn’t shoot a good percentage from beyond the arc in college, he has the tools to be a stretch-four in the NBA. Combine that with his polished low-post game, and Ellenson has one of the highest ceilings in this draft. |
| 10. MILWAUKEE BUCKS | |
 | Jakob Poeltl, PF, Utah: The Bucks would like to see Ellenson fall, which would allow them to draft a potential stretch-four who played college ball in Milwaukee. But if he’s off the board, Poeltl is a good fit. He’s a big who plays big — proof being that 94 percent of his buckets this past season came around the rim. The 7-foot-1 center would help Milwaukee shore up an interior defense by adding a rim protector who is a better-than-most-realize athlete. |
| 11. ORLANDO MAGIC | |
 | Skal Labissiere, PF, Kentucky: Frank Vogel’s ability to develop young talent should be instrumental in a predicted turn for the better in Orlando. And if I’m the Magic, I’m taking one of the many young forwards with lots of potential and asking Vogel to do for him what he just did for Myles Turner with the Pacers. Labissiere, if available, would be among the interesting options. Once considered a possible top overall selection, he mostly struggled in one season at Kentucky. But the possibility for greatness is still there and intriguing because he’s a 6-11 prospect with a natural shooting ability. So he’s definitely worth a gamble somewhere in the lottery of a weak draft. |
| 12. UTAH JAZZ | |
 | Wade Baldwin IV, SG, Vanderbilt: Baldwin is a versatile guard who can play multiple positions and shoot, and the way he measured at the combine suggests he could use his length and wingspan to be a nice perimeter defender in the NBA. There are questions about his leadership at Vanderbilt, and those are fair. But Atlanta — which traded Jeff Teague on Wednesday to acquire this pick — wouldn’t need Baldwin to be a leader. They’d just need him, at first, to be a dynamic option off the bench for a team that competes at the top of the Eastern Conference. |
| 13. PHOENIX SUNS | |
| Deyonta Davis, PF, Michigan State: The Suns have three first-round picks. So they can afford a big swing here. And Davis qualifies as such. He declined to test athletically at the combine and will likely need to perform well in private workouts to ensure a place in the lottery. But the 6-11 forward showed himself as a high-level rebounder in limited minutes during his one season at Michigan State, and he was also one of the nation’s best shot-blockers. So, at worst, Davis should be a difference-maker on the defensive end at the NBA level. |
| 14. CHICAGO BULLS | |
 | Domantas Sabonis, PF, Gonzaga: A lot of the intangibles the Bulls are likely about to lose with the expected departure of Joakim Noah — toughness, tenaciousness, etc., — are intangibles that Sabonis could provide. His unusually short wingspan for a player his height is concerning, on some level. But he’s among the safest picks in this draft in the sense that it’s hard to imagine the former Gonzaga standout not becoming at least a quality rotation player for a good team. |
| 15. DENVER NUGGETS | |
| Furkan Korkmaz, SG, Turkey: Korkmaz is a terrific shooter with ideal size for his position, and the fact that he decided to remain in the NBA Draft suggests he has a promise somewhere in the top 20. For a team that needs depth everywhere and shooting — the Nuggets tied for 25th in 3-point shooting this regular season — Korkmaz is a smart option. |
| 16. BOSTON CELTICS | |
| Timothe Luwawu, SG, France: The Celtics have so many picks that they’re going to need to either package them for a player or select multiple international prospects that can theoretically be stashed. So someone like Luwawu is a real possibility. He’s a wing with size who is an above-average athlete and defender. He shot 40 percent from 3-point range this season, which is ideal for a Boston franchise that really needs to add shooting. |
| 17. MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES | |
 | Malachi Richardson, SG, Syracuse: There was a report this weekend that Memphis had made a promise to Richardson. Whether that’s true is unclear. The But the Grizzlies have long needed athleticism and playmakers in their backcourt, and Richardson could provide both. So it’s easy to see why the front office is intrigued by the one-and-done prospect from Syracuse who is a bit of a risk but perhaps a risk worth taking. |
| 18. DETROIT PISTONS | |
 | Denzel Valentine, SG, Michigan State: Valentine reportedly has a “fairly significant knee issue” that is causing concern with some teams, and, I’m told, it could cost him on draft night. At some point, somebody will be weigh the risk vs. the reward and snag the former Michigan State star. But, at this point, it’s hard to pin things down — although the Pistons pulling the trigger and adding a local player who can help immediately would hardly be surprising. |
| 19. DENVER NUGGETS | |
| Ante Zizic, C, Croatia: The Nuggets have three of the first 19 picks. So taking strong international prospects who can theoretically stay overseas is an obvious option, and Zizic checks those boxes. The 19 year old is a great rebounder with a terrific motor and good size. He could easily develop into a starting center in the NBA. |
| 20. INDIANA PACERS | |
 | Dejounte Murray, PG, Washington: Murray’s invitation to attend the NBA Draft and sit in the green room suggests he’s going in the first round somewhere, and the Pacers make sense. Murray is a total upside pick, to be sure. But he has the size, athleticism and natural abilities to be great, and that’s why he’s worth gambling on somewhere in the top 20. |
| 21. ATLANTA HAWKS | |
 | Taurean Prince, SF, Baylor: Prince is a 6-8 wing who has the athleticism and wingspan to guard his position, and even multiple positions, at the NBA level. I know some teams in the teens really like him — most notably the Grizzlies. So there’s no guarantee Prince will be available at 21. But, if he is, the Hawks would be wise to snatch him up. |
| 22. CHARLOTTE HORNETS | |
 | Brice Johnson, PF, North Carolina: Johnson was a monster while averaging 16.6 points and 10.6 rebounds and leading North Carolina to the national championship game, and the quick leaper improved his stock enough to where going in the top 25 of this draft isn’t out of the question. So don’t be surprised if this former UNC star ends up playing for another former UNC star — namely Michael Jordan. |
| 23. BOSTON CELTICS | |
| Ivica Zubac, C, Croatia: Again, the Celtics have three first-round picks. So draft-and-stash prospects will be possible targets at both 16 and 23. And Zubac is a terrific candidate for such given that he’s only 19 years old and maybe willing to stay in Serbia for another year. |
| 24. SIXERS | |
| DeAndre’ Bembry, SF, Saint Joseph’s: Bembry’s ability to guard multiple positions at the NBA level should prove useful, and the way he sees the floor and passes could allow him to, at times, play the role of point-forward. |
| 25. LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS | |
 | Demetrius Jackson, PG, Notre Dame: Jackson tested and interviewed well at the combine and will be the second straight Notre Dame guard to go in the first round. His ability to flourish in the pick-and-roll while being a respectable shooter — he shot better than 41 percent from 3-point range in his freshman and sophomore years — should allow him to become an NBA starter. But he’ll begin his career as a back-up PG, which is something the Clippers could use. |
| 26. SIXERS | |
| Malik Beasley, SG, Florida State: An injury has prevented Beasley from working out for franchises. But he still received an invitation to the green room, which suggests he’s likely to go in the first round regardless. And Beasley could be a steal this late because, without the injury, he might’ve been somebody teams sincerely considered in the lottery. |
| 27. TORONTO RAPTORS | |
| Thon Maker, C, Australia: Maker is still mostly an unknown in the sense that he’s never played basketball consistently against high-level competition. But he measured, tested and interviewed well at the combine, where he gained lots of fans. And now it seems more likely than not that Maker will go in the first round based on little more than the idea that his ceiling is higher than most prospects’ ceilings. |
| 28. PHOENIX SUNS | |
| Juan Hernangomez, PF, Spain: The Suns do not need three players on rookie contracts. So they could go with a draft-and-stash prospect here. Hernangomez qualifies as a great option. He’s a 6-9 stretch-4 who shot roughly 40 percent from 3-point range in Spain. |
| 29. SAN ANTONIO SPURS | |
 | Cheick Diallo, C, Kansas: Diallo measured and tested well at the combine — then played well in the five-on-five games. He was active. He rebounded. He guarded. Simply put, the 6-9 forward genuinely helped himself by reminding scouts why he was once a projected lottery pick. And now it looks like that subpar season at Kansas won’t cost Diallo too much money. He’d be a great fit with San Antonio, which needs an athletic big. |
| 30. GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS | |
 | Diamond Stone, C, Maryland: Stone has not helped himself in interviews, I’m told. And there are background issues that concern some franchises. Still, he’s just so much more talented than most other prospects in this range. And that’s why the Warriors might be willing to take a swing late in the first and hope the talent develops, and the other concerns disappear, with time. |
