NBA Mock Draft 2016: 76ers, Lakers Get Their Guy; Suns Reaching?

May 17, 2016; New York, NY, USA; General view during the NBA draft lottery at New York Hilton Midtown. The Philadelphia 76ers received the first overall pick in the 2016 draft. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
May 17, 2016; New York, NY, USA; General view during the NBA draft lottery at New York Hilton Midtown. The Philadelphia 76ers received the first overall pick in the 2016 draft. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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March 24, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Brandon Ingram (14) moves the ball against Oregon Ducks forward Dillon Brooks (24) during the second half of the semifinal game in the West regional of the NCAA Tournament at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
March 24, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Brandon Ingram (14) moves the ball against Oregon Ducks forward Dillon Brooks (24) during the second half of the semifinal game in the West regional of the NCAA Tournament at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Los Angeles Lakers

Pick: Brandon Ingram, F, Duke  

Last season, the Los Angeles Lakers went off the board when they selected at No. 2 overall. They went with D’Angelo Russell when almost everyone believed that they were going to take Jahlil Okafor. Not this year.

The Lakers won’t try to be cute this time around, and will/should take the unanimous second best player in this draft: Brandon Ingram. He’s long (has a little Kevin Durant physique to him) and can score the basketball. He’s also a better shooter than Simmons; easily.

Even though he probably isn’t the playmaker that Simmons is, Ingram can hold up in his own right in the NBA. Ingram isn’t going to save the franchise by any means – definitely not immediately – but he is another solid prospect that the team can continue to build up with.

Next: Boston Celtics