NBA draft tracker: Live analysis and grades – USA TODAY
At long last, the 2016 NBA draft is finally underway, as some of the world’s most talented young players prepare to embark on their once-in-a-lifetime NBA journeys. USA TODAY Sports will be with you every step of the way on draft night, providing live, pick-by-pick analysis and grades for each player selected.
1. Philadelphia 76ers
Pick: Ben Simmons, forward, LSU
Grade: A
Analysis: Ben Simmons has as much upside as anyone in the draft, and he could wind up a perennial All-Star, but there were legitimate questions about his leadership at LSU. The last time the 76ers had the No. 1 pick they took Allen Iverson. That worked out pretty well. Trust the process, as they say.
2. Los Angeles Lakers
Pick: Brandon Ingram, forward, Duke
Grade: A
Analysis: Standing at 6-10 with a 7-3 wingspan, the athletically gifted 18-year-old has drawn Kevin Durant comparisons since appearing in the national spotlight during his lone season at Duke. He has all of the tools necessary to become an All-NBA talent, and if he adds some muscle to his sub-200 pound frame, he could just be the next franchise player in Los Angeles.
3. Boston Celtics
Pick: Jaylen Brown, forward, Cal
Grade: B+
Analysis: The Celtics owned arguably the most coveted pick in the draft, and they used it on one of the most athletic frontcourt players available. Despite rumors that the Celtics were shopping the pick to the 76ers and the Bulls, they took Brown, who provides elite athleticism on the wing. He could also fit perfectly with Brad Stevens’ defensive schemes.
4. Phoenix Suns
Pick: Dragan Bender, forward, Croatia
Grade: B+
Analysis: The addition of this year’s top international prospect should be a difference-maker in the Suns’ frontcourt … eventually. Despite Bender’s 7-1 frame, he’s versatile enough to play either forward position or center, but there will surely be an adjustment period for the 18 year old Croatian. Could he be this year’s Porzingis?
5. Minnesota Timberwolves
Pick: Kris Dunn, guard, Providence
Grade: A+
Analysis: There might not be a better fit than Kris Dunn in Minnesota under first-year coach Tom Thibodeau. Dunn is a versatile, powerful combo guard who will mesh perfectly with Andrew Wiggins on the wing. Dunn was a two-time Big East Player of the Year and was also the two-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year. His effort on defense no doubt caught Thibodeau’s eye.
6. New Orleans Pelicans
Pick: Buddy Hield, guard, Oklahoma
Grade: B
Analysis: Hield was the one of the best players in all of college basketball last season, but now comes a whole new test. Hield is a knock down shooter who can spread the floor for All-Star forward Anthony Davis, and his year-by-year improvements at Oklahoma are encouraging, but is he enough of an all-around talent to make an immediate impact for the lowly Pelicans?
7. Denver Nuggets
Pick: Jamal Murray, guard, Kentucky
Grade: A-
Analysis: The Nuggets were one of the worst three-point shooting teams in the NBA last season, and Murray’s outside shot immediately improves their perimeter game. He’s an NBA-ready offensive player but questions persist about his athleticism and defense. Regardless, the Nuggets took the best talent available.
8. Sacramento Kings (traded to Phoenix Suns)
Pick: Marquese Chriss, forward, Washington
Grade: A
Analysis: In the first eight picks, the Suns snagged the two best bigs not named Ben Simmons or Brandon Ingram. For a team whose top talent lies in the backcourt, the addition of a 6-10, 230 forward with three-point range and elite athleticism is a homerun. That said, Chriss is still a significant project can’t be counted to contribute immediately.
9. Toronto Raptors
Pick: Jakob Poeltl, center, Utah
Grade: B+
Analysis: The Raptors, who finished No. 2 in the Eastern Conference, needed a player who could contribute immediately, and not a project. Poeltl is a legitimate back-to-the-basket scorer and excellent rebounder who will provide frontcourt insurance in case Bismack Biyombo leaves in free agency.
10. Milwaukee Bucks
Pick: Thon Maker, center, Australia
Grade: B-
Analysis: To go along with the trend of young, lanky talent overflowing in Milwaukee, the Bucks took the 7-1, 215 pound Sudanese-Australian significantly earlier than expected. What he lacks in experience, he makes up for in size and athleticism. Maker is a big risk taken this early, but the Bucks (hello, Greek Freak) have shown they’re not scared of a project.
11. Orlando Magic (traded to Oklahoma City Thunder)
Pick: Domantas Sabonis, forward, Gonzaga
Grade: B
Analysis: Serge Ibaka was traded to the Magic for Ersan Ilyasova, Victor Oladipo and the rights to Sabonis. The Thunder are getting an NBA-ready big, who comes out after an extremely productive year at Gonzaga. Even better? He dominated against Utah’s Jakob Poeltl when the two prospects met in the NCAA tournament.
