This is my final ranking of point guards in the 2016 NBA Draft. We've already scouted these players ad nauseam. If you want a more basic evaluation or to read more about their strengths and weaknesses, head to last month's point guard ranking. So let's talk about something different yet equally as important.
Fit is often discussed in a negative light. Plenty of analytic models and people around the league believe in a best player available strategy when selecting due to rapid roster turnover and the difficulty of scouting. However, I'm not quite behind that. Often, systemic and emotional fit is just as important as skill level -- and this draft is going to show that in a pretty high-level manner. The players are all bunched so tightly together based on skill level that the way they fit in a certain roster or situation could make or break whether or not they can carve out an NBA career. The right fit can foster better player development, and it can accentuate the best skills a player has.
What are the best fits for the top 10 point guards in the class within their draft range? Let's take a look.
1. Kris Dunn | Providence | No. 3 to No. 6
Dunn is going to be an option for a lot of teams in this draft, even those outside of his draft range. As the clear top point guard, it wouldn't be a shocker to see some teams look to move from outside of this range to get where he is in order to shore up the point guard position.
Boston (No. 3): In my final mock draft, it's likely Dunn will go No. 3. Whether or not that's Boston remains up for debate. I don't think he really fits in Boston due to the presence of Marcus Smart, but Danny Ainge does tend to love Dunn's specific player type. Weirder things have happened.
Minnesota (No. 5): Tom Thibodeau would love this guy because of how he competes on the defensive end. Just would absolutely love him. He doesn't fit with Ricky Rubio though due to Rubio's lack of shooting, but maybe the team looks to trade him after a big step forward this year?
New Orleans (No. 6): Can't see New Orleans passing on a two-way stud in the backcourt given their unsettled situation there. Can't see him falling beyond this spot.
Sacramento, Milwaukee, Chicago: Three lottery teams that are outside of his range that really need a point guard and could look to move up for Dunn.
2. Wade Baldwin | Vanderbilt | Draft Range: No. 10 to No. 24
Milwaukee (No. 10): This would be really tipping the drafting for need versus best available scales toward drafting for need. He's not worth this pick, but the team could really use a point guard and John Hammond has valued youth, length and character in the past.
Utah (No. 12): The Jazz could also use a point guard, but again I think they can find better value by going big than drafting a point. Still, Baldwin would fit well with the team's switching defense.
Chicago (No. 14): Now we're getting more toward Baldwin's range, and he'd fit well with the ability to play both the 1 and 2 and also fit with Jimmy Butler's ability to create offense out of the pick-and-roll. It's a nice fit and a nice value.
Denver (No. 15/19): The Nuggets do have Emmanuel Mudiay, but if you buy into Baldwin's ability to shoot you could play the two of them together.
Memphis (No. 17): With Mike Conley's situation uncertain, Baldwin might be a perfect fit. If Conley stays, you might be able to play them together. If he leaves, you've drafted his replacement. This seems like a strong fit.
Detroit (No. 18): The team really needs a backup point guard, and Baldwin works really well in that capacity.
Philadelphia (No. 24): Can't see him falling below here. The team needs a point guard, and his shooting ability could work well with Ben Simmons when he goes No. 1.
3. Tyler Ulis | Kentucky | Draft Range: No. 14 to No. 40
Injury questions and bulk questions have placed Ulis' draft stock in flux. It's extremely difficult to tell where he's going to end up in this draft because of that. Here are some potential first round picks.
Chicago (No. 14): Ulis is a hometown kid and the Bulls have a need at the point. It might be a bit of a reach, but he'd work.
Memphis (No. 17): Ulis would fit extremely well with the grit and grind mentality of Memphis, plus they could use a point guard to replace Conley if he leaves.
Detroit (No. 18): The perfect caretaker point guard for Detroit's second unit. Ulis would immediately help this team become more efficient off the bench.
Philadelphia (No. 24/26): Why the Sixers would pass him up is beyond me. But it's possible. The team needs a point guard though and he'd provide help there.
San Antonio (No. 29): Just a perfect mix of basketball IQ and team fit here. Ulis is a ridiculously high feel for the game player, and he'd work great in San Antonio's offense.
4. Demetrius Jackson | Notre Dame | Draft Range: No. 14 to No. 26
Pretty much all of the above teams in the Ulis section could use Jackson. Would be pretty surprising to see him fall below Philly's pick though, as he's a strong selection to pair with Ben Simmons due to his shooting ability.
5. Dejounte Murray | Washington | No. 12 to No. 26
Murray has been invited to the NBA Draft's green room, which means you can expect to hear his name called relatively early. It seems relatively likely he goes in the top 15 at this stage, despite the fact that I've got him just outside of the first round on my board at No. 32. Even if he does fall out of the top-15, as seen above there are plenty of places that work as a fit.
The Next 15
6. Isaiah Whitehead | Seton Hall | Draft Range: No. 27 to No. 55
7. Kay Felder | Oakland | Draft Range: Early second round to undrafted
8. Fred VanVleet | Wichita State | Draft Range: Mid-second round to undrafted
9. Gary Payton II | Oregon State | Draft Range: Early second to undrafted
10. Yogi Ferrell | Indiana | Draft Range: Mid-second to undrafted
11. Anthony "Cat" Barber | NC State | Draft Range: Early second to undrafted
12. Isaiah Cousins | Oklahoma | Draft Range: Early second to undrafted
13. Marcus Paige | North Carolina | Draft Range: Mid-second to undrafted
14. Josh Adams | Wyoming | Draft Range: Late-second to undrafted
15. Ron Baker | Wichita State | Draft Range: Mid-second to undrafted
16. Isaiah Taylor | Texas | Draft Range: Mid-second to undrafted
17. Julian Jacobs | USC | Draft Range: Late second to undrafted
18. Alex Caruso | Texas A&M | Draft Range: Late second to undrafted
19. Tyrone Wallace | California | Draft Range: Late second to undrafted
20. A.J. English | Iona | Draft Range: Late second to undrafted
