Chad Ford's 2016 Big Board
ESPN Insider
The 2015 NBA draft was the second strong draft in a row. The 2016 draft will have a hard time living up to the past two, but that doesn't mean it doesn't have talent.
Our first 2016 Big Board has one very strong candidate at the top and at least two other serious contenders for the No. 1 pick. There should be one to three future All-Stars in this group -- but don't expect teams to tank to move up in the lottery for anyone here.
The day after the draft, we debuted our first top 100 for 2016. This is a reflection of the consensus of NBA scouts and general managers about a player's relative value. It debuts each year the day after one draft and finalizes the day of the next one.
Our Big Board is a more detailed look at the top 30 players (essentially the first round). It tracks player movement, stock fluctuation and gives you the latest intel from NBA scouts.
The biggest takeaway? If you need a wing, this is your draft. If you need a guard, it's not going to be a great year. So, here it is -- our first Big Board for 2016.
1
Ben Simmons
COLLEGE: LSU
HT: 6-10
WT: 239
POS: SF
Simmons is the prize of the class. While not every scout I spoke to agrees, the overwhelming majority believe he's the one player who could end up becoming a star. In fact, several GMs told me they would've selected Simmons No. 1 in 2015 had he been eligible. Playmaking bigs are in vogue right now, and Simmons, at 6-foot-10, 240 pounds, plays like a point guard. His unique style of play isn't for everyone, but the comparisons of him being a poor man's LeBron James or Magic Johnson aren't far off. His strong play at the Nike Basketball Academy against several NBA veterans and college players only solidified the opinion that, if used properly at LSU, Simmons will be the overwhelming favorite to go No. 1.
PREVIOUS RANK: No. NR | PLAYER CARD
2
Skal Labissiere
COLLEGE: Kentucky
HT: 7-0
WT: 216
POS: C
Labissiere is coming off a terrific performance in practices and the game at the Nike Hoop Summit. Given his size (6-10, 210) and coach John Calipari's reputation for getting the most out of top talent, Labissiere could end up being credible competition for Simmons. But for now, that's a big if. Labissiere has drawn comparisons to both Anthony Davis and Karl-Anthony Towns. He has similar size, is very skilled and can be a good rebounder, but he lacks Davis' elite athleticism and Towns' length and strength. I think scouts will have to lower their expectations a bit. I don't believe he has the same upside as either of the previous two Kentucky bigs to go No. 1.
PREVIOUS RANK: No. NR | PLAYER CARD
3
Jaylen Brown
COLLEGE: California
HT: 6-7
WT: 221
POS: SF
Physically, Brown is an elite NBA prospect. He has an NBA body, NBA strength and is one of the most -- if not the most -- explosive athletes in the draft. He's a power wing who finishes way above the rim. His jump shot is still a work in progress, though, and he can lack assertiveness at times. He'll be starting on a loaded Cal squad that includes two returning starters -- Jabari Bird and Tyrone Wallace -- who have their own NBA aspirations. It will be interesting to see if he can stand out in that group. If he does, he's the other guy who could have a very compelling case to go No. 1.
PREVIOUS RANK: No. NR | PLAYER CARD
4
Brandon Ingram
COLLEGE: Duke
HT: 6-10
WT: 196
POS: SF
Ingram rocketed up recruiting boards the past few months, and NBA scouts joined in the enthusiasm. While Ingram is painfully skinny (6-10, 196), he has elite size and length for his position and he's very skilled. If he can put on some weight this season and knock down shots from deep, he should stay in the top five all year.
PREVIOUS RANK: No. NR | PLAYER CARD
5
Jamal Murray
COLLEGE: Kentucky
HT: 6-5
WT: 204
POS: PG
Murray recently reclassified into the Class of 2015, and Kentucky landed yet another potential lottery pick. Murray was the star of the Nike Hoop Summit, where he scored 30 points and outplayed Team USA guards Jalen Brunson and Isaiah Briscoe. He did it again for Team Canada at the Pan Am Games, averaging 16 points per game in the tournament and dropping 22 against Team USA in the fourth quarter and overtime in the win. Murray is more of a combo guard. He's a better scorer than distributor, and you can expect Kentucky to primarily play him at the 2 with Tyler Ulis in the fold. He's not an elite athlete, but he is very crafty, and most of his doubters have been quieted with his strong play this summer. The key to his draft stock will be convincing scouts he's a point guard -- he's a bit undersized to play the 2. Based on his play this summer, most of them are already sold.
PREVIOUS RANK: No. NR | PLAYER CARD
6
Malik Pope
COLLEGE: San Diego State
HT: 6-10
WT: 205
POS: SF
Pope was the most controversial selection to the top 10. This feels a little high, but when you look at the talent below him and then look at his potential, this is where he'll land on draft night if he has a breakout season at San Diego State. He has elite size and length, is an explosive athlete and can play inside and outside. The only question for him is whether he'll be able to show those skills more consistently on the court this season. If he does, we may actually have him ranked too low.
PREVIOUS RANK: No. NR | PLAYER CARD
7
Dragan Bender
COLLEGE: Croatia
HT: 6-11
WT: 211
POS: SF
Bender is a big, lanky small forward who does most of his damage out on the perimeter. He has a great jump shot, high basketball IQ and has been a proven product in international competitions. His questionable toughness, strength and lack of elite athletic ability are the big strikes against him right now.
PREVIOUS RANK: No. NR | PLAYER CARD
8
Henry Ellenson
COLLEGE: Marquette
HT: 6-10
WT: 228
POS: C
Ellenson reminds some scouts of a young Kevin Love. He's a big man who can play with his back to the basket and also stretch the floor. He's a very good athlete for a player his size and he's more physically ready to dominate than many of the other players in our top 10. He'll need to have a great freshman season at Marquette to sustain this spot, but there's no question he has the talent to go this high.
PREVIOUS RANK: No. NR | PLAYER CARD
ESPN Insider
The 2015 NBA draft was the second strong draft in a row. The 2016 draft will have a hard time living up to the past two, but that doesn't mean it doesn't have talent.
Our first 2016 Big Board has one very strong candidate at the top and at least two other serious contenders for the No. 1 pick. There should be one to three future All-Stars in this group -- but don't expect teams to tank to move up in the lottery for anyone here.
The day after the draft, we debuted our first top 100 for 2016. This is a reflection of the consensus of NBA scouts and general managers about a player's relative value. It debuts each year the day after one draft and finalizes the day of the next one.
Our Big Board is a more detailed look at the top 30 players (essentially the first round). It tracks player movement, stock fluctuation and gives you the latest intel from NBA scouts.
The biggest takeaway? If you need a wing, this is your draft. If you need a guard, it's not going to be a great year. So, here it is -- our first Big Board for 2016.
1
Ben Simmons
COLLEGE: LSU
HT: 6-10
WT: 239
POS: SF
Simmons is the prize of the class. While not every scout I spoke to agrees, the overwhelming majority believe he's the one player who could end up becoming a star. In fact, several GMs told me they would've selected Simmons No. 1 in 2015 had he been eligible. Playmaking bigs are in vogue right now, and Simmons, at 6-foot-10, 240 pounds, plays like a point guard. His unique style of play isn't for everyone, but the comparisons of him being a poor man's LeBron James or Magic Johnson aren't far off. His strong play at the Nike Basketball Academy against several NBA veterans and college players only solidified the opinion that, if used properly at LSU, Simmons will be the overwhelming favorite to go No. 1.
PREVIOUS RANK: No. NR | PLAYER CARD
2
Skal Labissiere
COLLEGE: Kentucky
HT: 7-0
WT: 216
POS: C
Labissiere is coming off a terrific performance in practices and the game at the Nike Hoop Summit. Given his size (6-10, 210) and coach John Calipari's reputation for getting the most out of top talent, Labissiere could end up being credible competition for Simmons. But for now, that's a big if. Labissiere has drawn comparisons to both Anthony Davis and Karl-Anthony Towns. He has similar size, is very skilled and can be a good rebounder, but he lacks Davis' elite athleticism and Towns' length and strength. I think scouts will have to lower their expectations a bit. I don't believe he has the same upside as either of the previous two Kentucky bigs to go No. 1.
PREVIOUS RANK: No. NR | PLAYER CARD
3
Jaylen Brown
COLLEGE: California
HT: 6-7
WT: 221
POS: SF
Physically, Brown is an elite NBA prospect. He has an NBA body, NBA strength and is one of the most -- if not the most -- explosive athletes in the draft. He's a power wing who finishes way above the rim. His jump shot is still a work in progress, though, and he can lack assertiveness at times. He'll be starting on a loaded Cal squad that includes two returning starters -- Jabari Bird and Tyrone Wallace -- who have their own NBA aspirations. It will be interesting to see if he can stand out in that group. If he does, he's the other guy who could have a very compelling case to go No. 1.
PREVIOUS RANK: No. NR | PLAYER CARD
4
Brandon Ingram
COLLEGE: Duke
HT: 6-10
WT: 196
POS: SF
Ingram rocketed up recruiting boards the past few months, and NBA scouts joined in the enthusiasm. While Ingram is painfully skinny (6-10, 196), he has elite size and length for his position and he's very skilled. If he can put on some weight this season and knock down shots from deep, he should stay in the top five all year.
PREVIOUS RANK: No. NR | PLAYER CARD
5
Jamal Murray
COLLEGE: Kentucky
HT: 6-5
WT: 204
POS: PG
Murray recently reclassified into the Class of 2015, and Kentucky landed yet another potential lottery pick. Murray was the star of the Nike Hoop Summit, where he scored 30 points and outplayed Team USA guards Jalen Brunson and Isaiah Briscoe. He did it again for Team Canada at the Pan Am Games, averaging 16 points per game in the tournament and dropping 22 against Team USA in the fourth quarter and overtime in the win. Murray is more of a combo guard. He's a better scorer than distributor, and you can expect Kentucky to primarily play him at the 2 with Tyler Ulis in the fold. He's not an elite athlete, but he is very crafty, and most of his doubters have been quieted with his strong play this summer. The key to his draft stock will be convincing scouts he's a point guard -- he's a bit undersized to play the 2. Based on his play this summer, most of them are already sold.
PREVIOUS RANK: No. NR | PLAYER CARD
6
Malik Pope
COLLEGE: San Diego State
HT: 6-10
WT: 205
POS: SF
Pope was the most controversial selection to the top 10. This feels a little high, but when you look at the talent below him and then look at his potential, this is where he'll land on draft night if he has a breakout season at San Diego State. He has elite size and length, is an explosive athlete and can play inside and outside. The only question for him is whether he'll be able to show those skills more consistently on the court this season. If he does, we may actually have him ranked too low.
PREVIOUS RANK: No. NR | PLAYER CARD
7
Dragan Bender
COLLEGE: Croatia
HT: 6-11
WT: 211
POS: SF
Bender is a big, lanky small forward who does most of his damage out on the perimeter. He has a great jump shot, high basketball IQ and has been a proven product in international competitions. His questionable toughness, strength and lack of elite athletic ability are the big strikes against him right now.
PREVIOUS RANK: No. NR | PLAYER CARD
8
Henry Ellenson
COLLEGE: Marquette
HT: 6-10
WT: 228
POS: C
Ellenson reminds some scouts of a young Kevin Love. He's a big man who can play with his back to the basket and also stretch the floor. He's a very good athlete for a player his size and he's more physically ready to dominate than many of the other players in our top 10. He'll need to have a great freshman season at Marquette to sustain this spot, but there's no question he has the talent to go this high.
PREVIOUS RANK: No. NR | PLAYER CARD
