Mock Draft 8.0: New lottery picks, big shakeup in top 10
Chad Ford
ESPN Insider
1. Philadelphia 76ers
Ben Simmons
LSU
Freshman
Forward
It'll be a few days until the Sixers bring in the top prospects, but unless something really changes in those workouts, Simmons is the strong front-runner to go No. 1.
Simmons is the Sixers' best shot at adding a real superstar to the roster, though he's not a perfect fit. However, Sixers coach Brett Brown will be willing to build the offense around Simmons and work to get the best effort out of Simmons.
And as Marc Stein and I reported last week, the 76ers aren't standing still. They'd love to land at least one guard in the draft as well and are dangling Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel as trade chips.
Video: Prospect breakdown
2. Los Angeles Lakers
Brandon Ingram
Duke
Freshman
Forward
Ingram's ability to stretch the floor and defend multiple players on defense should fit great with L.A.'s current roster.
While his lack of bulk and strength may make the game rougher on him for now, he would give the Lakers a major talent boost.
Video: Prospect breakdown
3. Boston Celtics (via Nets)
Kris Dunn
Providence
Junior
Guard
The Celtics are looking at everything.
Trading the pick seems like the most probable route if they can fetch a young veteran in return. If they keep the pick, I think the field may be narrowing down to Dunn, Jamal Murray and a dark horse in Marquese Chriss.
Murray and Chriss fit obvious needs for shooting. Dunn seems like less of a fit until you realize that he would be the best pure point guard on the roster -- right away.
Marcus Smart can play off the ball. Isaiah Thomas, an All-Star, can be dealt. Having an elite distributor, especially one that defends like Dunn does, would be very appealing.
It's too early to know for sure which way the Celtics will go on draft night, but if the draft were today, I think Dunn would get the nod.
Video: Prospect breakdown
4. Phoenix Suns
Marquese Chriss
Washington
Freshman
Forward
The Suns need a stretch-4 in the worst way and there are three legitimate options in this range: Chriss, Dragan Bender and Henry Ellenson. Don't be surprised if they choose Chriss.
While Bender and Ellenson may bring a little more to the table right away, Chriss is a much better athlete and has an even higher ceiling. Can he reach it? His athleticism, rim protection and shooting range could make this a gamble worth taking.
Video: Prospect breakdown
5. Minnesota Timberwolves
Jamal Murray
Kentucky
Freshman
Guard
Murray could go as high as No. 3. He's seriously in the mix with the Celtics. If he slides past them, the Wolves will have to take a long look.
His shooting ability would fill a major need and his ability to play multiple positions is a plus. Buddy Hield, Bender and Ellenson are also real options (as are Dunn and Chriss if they are still on the board), but the Wolves would probably be making a mistake if they pass on Murray.
Video: Prospect breakdown
6. New Orleans Pelicans
Dragan Bender
Croatia
Age: 18
Forward/center
The Pelicans need backcourt help and it might be hard to pass on Hield if he he's still on the board.
But word on the street is that they are pretty big Bender fans and see him fitting nicely with Anthony Davis in the future -- especially with their fear of losing Ryan Anderson this summer to free agency.
Video: Prospect breakdown
Chad Ford
ESPN Insider
1. Philadelphia 76ers
Ben Simmons
LSU
Freshman
Forward
It'll be a few days until the Sixers bring in the top prospects, but unless something really changes in those workouts, Simmons is the strong front-runner to go No. 1.
Simmons is the Sixers' best shot at adding a real superstar to the roster, though he's not a perfect fit. However, Sixers coach Brett Brown will be willing to build the offense around Simmons and work to get the best effort out of Simmons.
And as Marc Stein and I reported last week, the 76ers aren't standing still. They'd love to land at least one guard in the draft as well and are dangling Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel as trade chips.
Video: Prospect breakdown
2. Los Angeles Lakers
Brandon Ingram
Duke
Freshman
Forward
Ingram's ability to stretch the floor and defend multiple players on defense should fit great with L.A.'s current roster.
While his lack of bulk and strength may make the game rougher on him for now, he would give the Lakers a major talent boost.
Video: Prospect breakdown
3. Boston Celtics (via Nets)
Kris Dunn
Providence
Junior
Guard
The Celtics are looking at everything.
Trading the pick seems like the most probable route if they can fetch a young veteran in return. If they keep the pick, I think the field may be narrowing down to Dunn, Jamal Murray and a dark horse in Marquese Chriss.
Murray and Chriss fit obvious needs for shooting. Dunn seems like less of a fit until you realize that he would be the best pure point guard on the roster -- right away.
Marcus Smart can play off the ball. Isaiah Thomas, an All-Star, can be dealt. Having an elite distributor, especially one that defends like Dunn does, would be very appealing.
It's too early to know for sure which way the Celtics will go on draft night, but if the draft were today, I think Dunn would get the nod.
Video: Prospect breakdown
4. Phoenix Suns
Marquese Chriss
Washington
Freshman
Forward
The Suns need a stretch-4 in the worst way and there are three legitimate options in this range: Chriss, Dragan Bender and Henry Ellenson. Don't be surprised if they choose Chriss.
While Bender and Ellenson may bring a little more to the table right away, Chriss is a much better athlete and has an even higher ceiling. Can he reach it? His athleticism, rim protection and shooting range could make this a gamble worth taking.
Video: Prospect breakdown
5. Minnesota Timberwolves
Jamal Murray
Kentucky
Freshman
Guard
Murray could go as high as No. 3. He's seriously in the mix with the Celtics. If he slides past them, the Wolves will have to take a long look.
His shooting ability would fill a major need and his ability to play multiple positions is a plus. Buddy Hield, Bender and Ellenson are also real options (as are Dunn and Chriss if they are still on the board), but the Wolves would probably be making a mistake if they pass on Murray.
Video: Prospect breakdown
6. New Orleans Pelicans
Dragan Bender
Croatia
Age: 18
Forward/center
The Pelicans need backcourt help and it might be hard to pass on Hield if he he's still on the board.
But word on the street is that they are pretty big Bender fans and see him fitting nicely with Anthony Davis in the future -- especially with their fear of losing Ryan Anderson this summer to free agency.
Video: Prospect breakdown
