2016 NBA Draft power forward rankings: Ben Simmons still No. 1

This is my final ranking of power forwards 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 top power forwards 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 power forwards in the class within their draft range? Let's take a look.

TIER 1

1. Ben Simmons | LSU | Draft Range: No. 1 or 2

This is a pretty simple situation. Simmons will either go No. 1 or No. 2, regardless of fit. He's the highest-ceiling player in the draft.

Philadelphia (No. 1): The fit here is rather precarious. The Sixers have the worst 3-point percentage in the NBA since Brett Brown took over, and Simmons inability to shoot isn't going to directly help that. His fit with last year's No. 3 pick Jahlil Okafor inside isn't great, which is why the team seems to be shopping him. Even his fit with Nerlens Noel is questionable due to Noel's lack of ability to space the floor. The team will really need to get a point guard who can stretch the floor a bit. But none of these goals are insurmountable.

Los Angeles (No. 2): Even his fit with Los Angeles isn't terrific because it's hard to see him sharing a frontcourt with one of the team's three true assets, Julius Randle. But pairing his creativity with D'Angelo Russell's would at least be fun to watch.

Ben Simmons LSU — Ben Simmons will likely be the No. 1 overall pick. USATSI

2. Dragan Bender | Maccabi Tel Aviv (Israel) | Draft Range: No. 3 to No. 9

Boston (No. 3): The Celtics should really take a long look at Bender. He'd help in a wide variety of ways. First and foremost, the team just has a need in the frontcourt. Second, the team could use a mobile, floor-stretching 4 next to Marcus Smart if he's truly the team's point guard of the future in order to keep the floor properly spaced. This is the perfect fit for them, which makes me wonder if it will actually happen given that Danny Ainge tends not to float to everyone else's boat.

Phoenix (No. 4): Another team that could use a floor-spacing 4, especially if they're committed to a Brandon Knight/Eric Bledsoe backcourt combination with Devin Booker. His mobility would pair well with either of the team's centers, too. If he falls to No. 4, he should be the pick.

Minnesota (No. 5): Okay, if Bender falls to 5, Tom Thibodeau should sprint to the dais, tackle Adam Silver, and announce the pick himself to assert his newfound front office authority. He's exactly what the team needs with Ricky Rubio and Andrew Wiggins on the perimeter due to his ability to shoot. He'd also allow the team to employ an aggressive defensive style due to his mobility. Easy selection here.

New Orleans (No. 6): It would be a surprise if they selected him given the team's apparently commitment to winning now, but it's worth noting that Pelicans international scout Yarone Arbel is based in Tel Aviv so the team likely has him scouted as well as anyone else in the NBA.

Denver (No. 7): The Nuggets could really use a big floor-spacer next to the Jusuf Nurkic/Nikola Jokic center combination. Also, the team scouts Europe better than any team in the NBA and has shown a willingness to take internationals at any stage of the draft. Would expect he'd be the pick here if available, but I keep saying that for everyone.

Sacramento (No. 8): Getting a true floor-stretching 4 could open up the floor for DeMarcus Cousins. Would be a highly competent pick from the Kings.

Toronto (No. 9): There's no way I can see him getting past the Raptors. The team scouts Europe well, and has a direct need for a player like Bender in the lineup. I'd imagine this pick would be in before the end of one minute on the Raptors clock.

TIER 2

3. Deyonta Davis | Michigan State | Draft Range: No. 9 to No. 16

Toronto (No. 9): If the team buys into his ability to shoot the ball, he could be the long-term stretch-four they're looking for next to Jonas Valanciunas due to his ability to move his feet on the perimeter and defend the rim.

Milwaukee (No. 10): Very much fits the John Hammond modus operandi of drafting young players. Would be the kind of potential combo big man who can rebound, protect the rim, and do a variety of things next to Jabari Parker and Giannis Antetokounmpo that the team needs.

Orlando (No. 11): Would be a nice fit next to both Nikola Vucevic (due to his ability to protect the rim and move his feet defensively) and Aaron Gordon (rebounding, rim protection, and potential to shoot). Would imagine they think long and hard about him here.

Utah (No. 12): Davis was just in for a workout this week, and he's the kind of player who can fit well next to all three of their future big men (Rudy Gobert, Derrick Favors, and Trey Lyles).

Phoenix (No. 13): Again, like Toronto, if the team thinks he can shoot it long term, he could be a solid fit.

Chicago (No. 14): The team could lose Joakim Noah and Pau Gasol this offseason and might want to continue to replenish their stocks with younger frontcourt players.

Boston (No. 16): Would be surprised if he falls past here given all of the teams that could use his well-rounded game. Boston certainly could in order to help its frontcourt.

4. Domantas Sabonis | Gonzaga | Draft Range: No. 8 to No. 20

I've extended this range out a bit, but all indications are that Sabonis will likely go much more quickly on draft night than anticipated early in the draft process. He was invited to the green room, and my assumption is that he is taken in the lottery.

Sacramento (No. 8): The Kings value production and want to select a player that will contribute quickly if they can't trade the pick. Sabonis fits that bill as one of the NBA-ready players in the draft.

Toronto (No. 9): Again, if the team buys him as a potential floor-spacer, he's the kind of player that could help this contender sooner rather than later due to his rebounding, physicality and toughness to pair with skill.

Utah (No. 12): I'm not totally sure I buy this fit due to Lyles, but the Jazz do have a use in the frontcourt so it wouldn't be out of the question.

Phoenix (No. 13): The Suns have a legitimate need at the 4 spot, and Sabonis's rebounding ability likely would appeal to them.

Chicago (No. 14): As mentioned above, the team could lose Noah and Gasol this summer. If they see Bobby Portis as a potential 5 by the time he grows into his body, Sabonis could work.

Boston (No. 16): Again, the Celtics can use frontcourt help and Sabonis would likely help them sooner rather than later.

Memphis (No. 17): Sabonis is the kind of productive player that Memphis might like, and he fits perfectly into the team's grit and grind mentality.

Indiana (No. 20): The Pacers have a significant need in the frontcourt. Sabonis is perfect for what they want to do. Would be pretty shocked if he fell past this.

5. Skal Labissiere | Kentucky | Draft Range: No. 8 through No. 18

Labissiere is probably the most fit-dependent player in the draft. It's difficult to see him becoming a legitimate NBA player without the right fit.

Toronto (No. 9): The ideal scenario for Labissiere. The Raptors have a legitimate future need for him and his ability to space the floor, and the team has a terrific youth development system both in the NBA and D-League.

Milwaukee (No. 10): Another team that has done well developing its players, the Bucks could use a stretch big man next to plenty of their players, including Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Orlando (No. 11): He'd be a nice fit with both Aaron Gordon and Nikola Vucevic, plus the Magic have a D-League foundation with which to help him develop.

Phoenix (No. 13): Significant need at the power forward spot, plus a D-League affiliate to help him grow.

Boston (No. 16): Another team that needs frontcourt help and has a good D-League affiliate.

Memphis (No. 17): It's worth noting that while the team may not be the best fit, Labissiere did grow up as a teenager in Memphis and may be benefited by being in a comfortable situation.

Detroit (No. 18): Stan Van Gundy is always in the market for stretchy big men, and their D-League affiliate just hired Rex Walters, a former college coach at San Francisco who may be familiar with helping young players.

6. Marquese Chriss | Washington | No. 3 to No. 9

Chriss' potential has pushed him up draft boards. I buy into his potential as having the third or fourth highest ceiling in this draft, but I tend to be a bit more cautious in terms of ceiling on these boards, which is why I have him at No. 12.

Boston (No. 3): A strong developmental system in place, and a need for a 4 who can shoot. Also, the team could use a potential star.

Phoenix (No. 4): Another team that could really use an athletic stretch-4, as mentioned above.

Minnesota (No. 5): The Timberwolves need to hit this pick as it's likely they won't be picking this high any time soon. Chriss is a home run swing, but the team does have a legitimate need at his position. Still, it's hard to see Thibodeau playing Chriss at any important point of his rookie season due to his rawness.

Denver (No. 7): The Nuggets could use a star to throw next to Emmanuel Mudiay. Chriss represents possibly the most star potential of any player that will be available.

Sacramento (No. 8): Chriss fits well next to both DeMarcus Cousins and Willie Cauley-Stein due to his ability to shoot it.

Toronto (No. 9): Pretty difficult to see him falling below this. He fills a need for a strong developmental team that can afford to take some time with him. He'd be perfect here.

Skal Labissiere will take some time in the NBA, and needs the right situation to succeed. USATSI

7. Henry Ellenson | Marquette | Draft Range: No. 10 to No. 23

Ellenson has seen his stock drop, and I've been told by multiple people around the league that while they expect him to be a top-16 or so pick (given that he was invited to the green room), to not be shocked if he's the faller of the draft. I wrote about their concerns here.

Milwaukee (No. 10): Obviously, the fanbase would be familiar with the Marquette star. He wouldn't fit at all in their defensive scheme though despite the ability to shoot.

Utah (No. 12): In the market for another big, although there is some overlap with Trey Lyles despite his ability to play the 5 eventually.

Phoenix (No. 13): I would say this is a pretty solid place for him. They could use a floor-spacing 4, and his rebounding and passing ability would be pretty terrific for their offense.

Chicago (No. 14): Would be a pretty nice fit in Fred Hoiberg's offense due to his ability to eventually shoot as well as rebound and pass out of the mid and low posts.

Denver (No. 15/19): The Nuggets don't have a need for him now, but could if they decide to move on from Kenneth Faried and Danilo Gallinari this offseason.

Boston (No. 16/23): Need frontcourt help, have multiple picks, his basketball IQ would likely endear him to Brad Stevens.

Memphis (No. 17): He's tough enough as a rebounder to fit into what the Grizzlies have done in the past, and the team could be going through a bit of turnover this offseason and use some talent.

Detroit (No. 18): A stretch-four that could also take some minutes at center behind Andre Drummond.

Indiana (No. 20): It's really hard for me to see him falling beyond this, as he's a pretty perfect fit for the offense the Pacers want to run as well as the kind of productive player Larry Bird has liked in the past.

Charlotte (No. 22): Okay, so he doesn't fit here but it would be funny if they had Frank Kaminsky, Spencer Hawes and Cody Zeller on the roster with Ellenson.

TIER 3

8. Brice Johnson | North Carolina | Draft Range: No. 16 to No. 35

Boston (No. 16/23/31/35): I'd be shocked if they took him at 16. But he'll be in play as a productive big man who could help them relatively soon for the rest of their picks.

Memphis (No. 17): Johnson is tough, rebounds well, and could play relatively quickly for a Grizzlies team that may not yet be ready to give up its hopes of contention depending on how the Mike Conley free agency situation goes.

Detroit (No. 18): If the team believes in his ability to stretch the floor as a 4, he could work.

Indiana (No. 20): General manager Larry Bird likes productive college players, and the Pacers have a legitimate need inside.

Charlotte (No. 22): Let's not pretend that Michael Jordan hasn't shown a preference to North Carolina players in the past, even if he doesn't really fit a need here.

Los Angeles Clippers (No. 25): The team is contending now, and may believe a productive college player could step into their rotation sooner rather than later and help provide some depth.

Toronto (No. 27), Phoenix (No. 28): Definite positional need at the 4.

San Antonio (No. 29): The Spurs have taken players who have fallen in the past, and Brice could become their next productive college steal. Also, uncertainty with the team's frontcourt situation could make the team look there.

Golden State (No. 30): Johnson can run the floor and has potential to shoot it. If they are unsure of Kevon Looney's health situation going forward, he could also fit a need.

9. Juan Hernangomez | Estudiantes (Spain) | Draft Range: No. 16 to No. 35

Boston (No. 16/23/31/35): Hernangomez is a smart player who could fill a floor-spacing need for Boston at the 4. Would be surprised if he was in play at No. 16, but stranger things have happened.

Memphis (No. 17), Detroit (No. 18): Both could use a floor-spacing four who can rebound.

Denver (No. 15/19): Let's throw Denver's 15th pick in here, although I doubt they'd use it on him. The Nuggets scout Europe as well as any team in the league, and can't be counted out in regard to a prospect over there.

Philadelphia (No. 24/26), Los Angeles (No. 25), Toronto (No. 27), Phoenix (No. 28): These teams just need shooting badly and could look at Hernangomez to help fill it from the frontcourt.

San Antonio (No. 29): The Spurs also scout Europe exceedingly well, and would probably be willing to take the plunge on him.

TIER 4

10. Thon Maker | Orangeville Prep (Canada) | Draft Range: No. 15 to No. 50

Maker is the absolute toughest player to pin down in terms of this draft. Genuinely, any team that could use a project, relatively high-ceiling floor-spacing big man could take a look at him once the lottery ends -- and as seen above there are plenty of those. He's also been working out for teams all over the place in terms of his draft stock, and it's basically impossible to know where he goes within a 10 pick range. While some scouts around the league don't really consider him a real prospect worth investing multiple years of development in, there are plenty others who expect a team to take a plunge on him in the first round due to his work ethic and desire to improve at his game.

Maker's landing place will be one of the major storylines of the draft, given his novelty as a high school player entering the draft as well as his fame as a YouTube sensation.