Mock Draft 2016: Top 10

This draft class boasts a lot of talent that hopeful lottery teams look to grab. As draft day approaches, many fans are left thinking wondering who will be the next franchise player for their favorite teams. In this article, I'm going to list my top 15 picks in this year's draft and give a short description why. The picks are decided upon team needs, player ranking, and other factors.

#1: Philadelphia 76ers - Ben Simmons

The Sixers are in need of a big time talent to bring their organization afloat. After a short stint in the NCAA, Ben Simmons hasn't shown much in terms of a winning pedigree but has scouts raving of his potential and talent. He is listed as an SF/PF which may not bode well with all the bigs the Sixers already have.

#2: Los Angeles Lakers - Brandon Ingram

The Lakers have an easier pick this draft, basically between Ingram and Ben Simmons, but I think Ingram would have a bigger impact on the Lakers. He has a Kevin Durant type game in which he can shoot the ball well and play big defensively. He can gel well with D'Angelo and Randle to build for the future.

#3: Boston Celtics - Dragan Bender

The Celtics are already on the rise, and this draft pick is an additional bonus to a great team already. Dragan Bender is the big that the Celtics need. He has been compared to Kristaps Porzingis and Dirk Nowitzki and could provide a huge offensive boost to the Celtics.

#4: Pheonix Suns - Jaylen Brown

The Suns already struck gold in last year's draft by getting All-Rookie first team Devin Booker. And this year the Suns get an opportunity to do more of the same by taking Jaylen Brown. Brown in his one year at Cal showed his upside and basketball talents. Him and Booker would make for a great duo to build a franchise around.

#5: Minnesota Timberwolves - Jamaal Murray

The T-Wolves are an up-and-coming team in the NBA, already boasting back to back Rookie of the Years in Andrew Wiggins and Karl Anthony-Towns. They have tremendous potential, just as Jamaal Murray. Murray is a scoring machine who can play both guard positions. With his addition, the Wolves will not only score a lot more but have some better defensive presence.

#6: New Orleans Pelicans - Buddy Hield

The Pelicans have been a mysterious team. Last year they made the playoffs behind Anthony Davis and his troops as the 8th seed and seemed to be on the rise. Hield, a guard from Oklahoma, is a great shooter and has a lot of offensive firepower which can compliment Davis well.

#7: Denver Nuggets - Jacob Poetl

The Nuggets last year took Emanuel Mudiay and had a fairly decent season. This year, the Utah big man Jacob Poetl looks to hear his name called after a strong season in the NCAA. The 7-foot center gets many pro comparisons, such as the younger Andrew Bogut. The big presence of Poetl will surge the Nuggets further next season.

#8: Sacramento Kings - Kris Dunn

The Kings had a roller coaster season last year, from getting playoff talk earlier to being one of the worst teams in the league. While they do have Rajon Rondo, who led the league in assists, Dunn brings scoring and passing into the Kings offense. Widley regarded as the best point guard in the draft, Kris stayed until his Junior year at Providence to develop as a player and is NBA ready.

#9: Toronto Raptors - Domantas Sabonis

The Raptors made a deep playoff run this season, challenging the Cleveland Cavaliers to six games in the Eastern Conference. Sabonis is a great finisher around the rim and can be ready to go in the NBA. His size and athleticism is a huge advantage and he can compliment Jonas well.

#10: Milwaukee Bucks - Demetrius Jackson

This year the Bucks had an odd season. After struggling until the All-Star break, head coach Jason Kidd moved forward Giannis Antetokounmpo to the point-guard position where they found relative success. Jackson is a great offensive weapon to add for the Bucks, and adds another scoring option for the team.