The 2016 NBA Draft is stating to take shape, at least on paper- LSU’s Ben Simmons #1 to the Philadelphia 76ers, Duke’s Brandon Ingram #2 to the L.A. Lakers, and International prospect Dragan Bender, possibly the next Kristaps Porzingis, #3 to the Boston Celtics.
So who goes #4 to the Phoenix Suns? Oklahoma scoring Buddy Hield, the consensus national player of the year? Or Providence‘s Kris Dunn, the draft’s best point guard?
ESPN College Hoops and International Draft expert Fran Fraschilla discussed the 2016 NBA Draft on a media conference call, and Here are transcripts of some of the highlights of the Dragan Bender and Kristaps Porzingus discussion below, via an ESPN release.
Fraschilla:
“I think in Buddy Hield, that you have a guy who not only is a great shooter, but makes tough, contested shots because he has great footwork. He’s a product of four years of just being in a gym; you combine it with his athleticism and he’s ready-made to help a team right away.”
“Kris Dunn is similar but a different position. He’s likely to be the best point guard in this draft. He’s got NBA size, strength, ability to pass the ball, older, mature.”
Here’s the link to our latest NBA mock draft; below you can see where we have Kris Dunn and Buddy Hield slotted and why:
4. Phoenix- Kris Dunn, PG, Providence, 6-4, Jr.
While the have a solid collection of guards including Brandon Knight, Eric Bledsoe, and Devin Booker, they cannot pass one of the top available guards at this point since they are the next three best players in the draft. Dunn defines what it means to be a stat-sheet stuffer since he can impact the game in so many ways whether it be creating for his teammates or getting his own shots. By drafting Dunn, they could shop Bledsoe or Knight in hopes of landing some skill up-front. Go here for more on Dunn.
5. Minnesota- Buddy Hield, SG, Oklahoma, 6-5, Sr.
Besides the Simmons/Ingram debate, the Hield/Murray discussion is also very intriguing. The T-Wolves need to add a shooter to their young roster and so they would be in a great situation here. It would come down to a case of preference for Minnesota and for now, I am giving Hield the edge.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes regularly to the Chicago Tribune’s RedEye publication and Bold Global.
He also consistently appears on numerous talk shows all across the country. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram