2016 NBA Mock Draft: Roundtable Discussion - First Round

Welcome to our 2016 NBA mock draft roundtable discussion. This year's draft is highly anticipated due to the likes of Ben Simmons, Brandon Ingram, Dragan Bender, Jamal Murray and Buddy Hield. Teams can expect a lot from these guys as their talent level and potential are off the charts. Then there are the dark horses. Players like University of North Carolina's Brice Johnson, Michigan State's Denzel Valentine and University of Gonzaga's Domantas Sabonis. Many great things can be said from these players but there are still doubts from their game. With that said, the NBA Draft is always full of surprises so let our VAVEL writers, Sully Akbari, Austin McConnell, and Brett Roberts share their thoughts.

Sully's Mock Draft

1. Philadelphia - Ben Simmons
2. Los Angeles Lakers - Brandon Ingram
3. Boston (From Brooklyn) - Buddy Hield
4. Phoenix - Jaylen Brown
5. Minnesota - Kris Dunn 
6. New Orleans - Jamal Murray
7. Denver (From New York) - Dragan Bender
8. Sacramento - Domantas Sabonis
9. Toronto (From Denver via New York) - Deyonta Davis
10. Milwaukee - Dejounte Murray
11. Orlando - Skal Lasbissere
12. Atlanta (From Utah) - Malachi Richardson
13. Phoenix (From Washington) - Marquese Chriss
14. Chicago - Jakob Poeltl
15. Denver (From Houston) - Timothe Luwawu
16. Boston (From Dallas) - Cheick Diallo
17. Memphis - Wade Baldwin
18. Detroit - Henry Ellenson
19. Denver (From Portland) - Denzel Valentine
20. Indiana - Demetrius Jackson
21. Atlanta - Taurean Prince
22. Charlotte - Malik Beasley
23. Boston - Ivica Zubac
24. Philadelphia (From Miami via Cleveland) - Furkan Korkmaz
25. Los Angeles Clippers - Brice Johnson
26. Philadelphia (From OKC via DEN and CLE) - Juan Hernangomez
27. Toronto - Thon Maker
28. Phoenix (From Cleveland via Boston) - DeAndre Bembry
29. San Antonio - Diamond Stone
30. Golden State - Ante Zizic

Steal of the Draft: Brice Johnson

Brice Johnson, a senior out of the University of North Carolina, shows that he can be a really great player in the coming years. Last season with the Tar Heels, Johnson averaged a double-double with 17.6 points and 10.4 rebounds per game. Not only did Johnson have great numbers during the season but he and the Tar Heels had an amazing NCAA Tournament run last season. UNC made it all the way to the National Championship game against Villanova, losing on a game-winning shot in the last seconds. Johnson had stellar performances leading up to the game and shows that he can be one of the top power forwards and the future of the NBA.

Austin's Mock Draft

1. Philadelphia - Ben Simmons
2. Los Angeles Lakers - Brandon Ingram
3. Boston (From Brooklyn) - Jaylen Brown
4. Phoenix - Dragan Bender
5. Minnesota - Kris Dunn
6. New Orleans - Jamal Murray
7. Denver (From New York) - Buddy Hield
8. Sacramento - Marquese Chriss
9. Toronto (From Denver via New York) - Domantas Sabonis
10. Milwaukee - Deyonta Davis
11. Orlando - Skal Labissiere
12. Atlanta (From Utah) - Wade Baldwin
13. Phoenix (From Washington) - Jakob Poeltl
14. Chicago - Henry Ellenson
15. Denver (From Houston) - Furkan Korkmaz
16. Boston (From Dallas) - Ante Zizic
17. Memphis - Malachi Richardson
18. Detroit - Demetrius Jackson
19. Denver (From Portland) - Juan Hernangomez
20. Indiana - Timothe Luwawu
21. Atlanta - DeAndre Bembry
22. Charlotte - Dejounte Murray
23. Boston - Ivica Zubac
24. Philadelphia (From Miami via Cleveland) - Denzel Valentine
25. Los Angeles Clippers - Taurean Prince
26.Philadelphia (From OKC via DEN and CLE) - Georgios Papagiannis
27. Toronto -  Patrick McCaw
28. Phoenix (From Cleveland via Boston) - Rade Zagorac
29. San Antonio - Cheick Diallo
30. Golden State - Thon Maker

Steal of the Draft: AJ Hammons

While his age and questions about his character make him a second round prospect, Hammons is an elite shot blocker, a great rebounder, and can also spread the floor with a jumper. This is a skill set that should translate to success in the modern game.

Brett's Mock Draft

1. Philadelphia - Ben Simmons
2. Los Angeles Lakers - Brandon Ingram
3. Boston (From Brooklyn) - Buddy Hield
4. Phoenix - Dragan Bender
5. Minnesota - Kris Dunn
6. New Orleans - Jaylen Brown
7. Denver (From New York) - Jamal Murray
8. Sacramento - Dejounte Murray
9. Toronto (From Denver via New York) - Malik Beasley
10. Milwaukee - Domantas Sabonis
11. Orlando - Skal Labissiere
12. Atlanta (From Utah) - Marquese Chriss
13. Phoenix (From Washington) - Jakob Poeltl
14. Chicago - Brice Johnson
15. Denver (From Houston) - Caris LeVert
16. Boston (From Dallas) - Malachi Richardson
17. Memphis - Furkan Korkmaz
18. Detroit - Timothy Luwawu
19. Denver (From Portland) - Cheick Diallo
20. Indiana - Damian Jones
21. Atlanta - Henry Ellenson
22. Charlotte - Ivica Zubac
23. Boston - Denzel Valentine
24. Philadelphia (From Miami via Cleveland) - Taurean Prince
25. Los Angeles Clippers - Thon Maker
26. Philadelphia (From OKC via DEN and CLE) - Patrick McCaw
27. Toronto - Gary Payton II
28. Phoenix (From Cleveland via Boston) - Diamond Stone
29. San Antonio - Malcolm Brogdon
30. Golden State - Demetrius Jackson

Steal of the Draft: Kris Dunn 

It is hard to call a likely top-5 pick a steal, but he is one, because he could potentially be the best player in this draft class, and that includes Ben Simmons and Brandon Ingram. Several teams have been said to be trying to trade up to have a shot at Dunn. He is easily the best point guard in this draft, and he has drawn comparisons to Russell Westbrook. Finding true point guards can be difficult, but Dunn is one and has exceptional court vision to go with his scoring acumen. Dunn may go as high as No. 5 overall, but the fact that he is likely to out-play every player in front of him is what makes Dunn still “a steal.” 

The 2016 NBA Draft will be held on Thursday, June 23, 2016 at 8:00 p.m. in the Barclays Center Brooklyn, New York.