Predicting the Lottery Picks of the 2016 NBA Draft
Hayden Van de Maat
Nov 16, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers forward Ben Simmons (25) slam dunks against the Kennesaw State Owls during the first half of a game at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 16, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers forward Ben Simmons (25) slam dunks against the Kennesaw State Owls during the first half of a game at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
The 2016 NBA Draft is upon us. How will it all shake out and can the Utah Jazz make a splash at No. 12?
With the 2016 NBA Draft fast approaching, teams find themselves in tough positions regarding trades, free agents and deciding which player in the draft is that diamond in the rough capable of propelling his team into championship contention.
For the Utah Jazz, the dilemma may be whether to forsake the first round of the draft altogether in favor of acquiring a veteran player. According to Jazz GM Dennis Lindsey, their options remain wide open as the big night edges ever closer.
Still, despite the top-heavy nature of this year’s draft, there are a myriad of prospects with tantalizing next-level potential among the field of potential draftees.
But how will it all shake out–and can the Jazz make a splash at the back-end of the lottery?
Here’s my take on what we might be able to expect on draft night.
Next: No. 1
Mar 12, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; LSU Tigers forward Ben Simmons (25) controls the ball in the first half against the Texas A&M Aggies during the SEC conference tournament at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Next: No. 2
March 24, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Brandon Ingram (14) reacts during the 82-68 loss against Oregon Ducks during the second half of the semifinal game in the West regional of the NCAA Tournament at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Next: No. 3
Mar 17, 2016; Des Moines, IA, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Jamal Murray (23) dribbles against the Stony Brook Seawolves in the first round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Next: No. 4
Feb 10, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Washington Huskies forward Malik Dime (10) and forward Marquese Chriss (0) react during the second half against the Utah Utes at Jon M. Huntsman Center. Utah won 90-82. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
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4
Marquese Chriss
PF, Washington
Phoenix Suns
Surprised? You shouldn’t be. Chriss is a six-foot-nine power forward with freakish athleticism and a silky smooth jumpshot, both off the catch and falling out of the post.
He is always looking for the lob pass and is lightning quick to help out on defense and swat shots away. With Phoenix being a guard heavy team, they can take a swing at a prospect who could turn out to be the best big man in the draft. He is a risky to player to take this high, but he oozes with upside.
Next: No. 5
Mar 19, 2016; Raleigh, NC, USA; Providence Friars guard Kris Dunn (3) waves to the fans after being removed from the game against the North Carolina Tar Heels in the second half during the second round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at PNC Arena. The Tar Heels won 85-66. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Next: No. 6
Apr 2, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Buddy Hield (24) reacts during the second half against the Villanova Wildcats in the 2016 NCAA Men
Next: No. 7
March 10, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; California Golden Bears forward Jaylen Brown (0) dribbles the basketball against Oregon State Beavers forward Olaf Schaftenaar (30) during the second half of the Pac-12 Conference tournament at MGM Grand Garden Arena. The Golden Bears defeated the Beavers 76-68. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Next: No. 8
Next: No. 9
Marquette Golden Eagles forward Henry Ellenson (13) is a player that NBA-TV analyst Stu Jackson sees as a potential fit with the Utah Jazz. Mandatory Credit: William Hauser-USA TODAY Sports
Next: No. 10
Mar 17, 2016; Des Moines, IA, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Skal Labissiere (1) drives to the basket against Stony Brook Seawolves forward Jameel Warney (20) during the first half in the first round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Next: No. 11
Mar 16, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Utah Utes forward Jakob Poeltl (42) looks on during a practice day before the first round of the NCAA men
Next: No. 12
Feb 13, 2016; Boulder, CO, USA; Washington Huskies guard Dejounte Murray (5) attempts to regain control of the basketball in the second half against the Colorado Buffaloes at the Coors Events Center. The Buffaloes defeated the Huskies 81-80. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Next: No. 13
March 8, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Domantas Sabonis (11) celebrates against the Saint Mary’s Gaels during the first half in the finals of the women’s West Coast Conference tournament at Orleans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Next: No. 14
Mar 11, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes forward Keita Bates-Diop (33) has his shot blocked by Michigan State Spartans forward Deyonta Davis (23) during the Big Ten Conference tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
The 2016 NBA Draft is set for this Thursday night; the Utah Jazz currently hold the No. 12 pick in the first round, along with three selections in the second round.
Hayden Van de Maat
I'm a proud Utah Jazz homer. I enjoy Utah's nightlife and telling people that Derek Fisher lied to three teams to get out of his contract. Go Jazz!
