NBA Mock Draft 2016: Brandon Ingram, Dragan Bender Are Best Lakers Fits

The NBA’s conference finals have provided plenty of exciting action for basketball fans, but for the 26 teams not enjoying the postseason, preparation for next month’s draft is well underway.

LSU forward Ben Simmons likely will go No. 1 to the Philadelphia 76ers, but the Los Angeles Lakers could surprise people at No. 2.

Duke forward Brandon Ingram is the most likely choice — he has drawn comparisons to Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Kevin Durant — but the Lakers could decide to go in a different direction with Croatian big man Dragan Bender. The 7-foot-1 power forward/center has excellent shooting range and good playmaking skill.

The Lakers’ most pressing need is in the frontcourt, where the lack of a dominant power forward or center is hurting their ability to score inside and rebound against quality opponents. It’s also difficult for the Lakers to play against small-ball lineups without big men who are comfortable defending at the 3-point line.

It’s certainly a tough choice for the Lakers as they move into the post-Kobe Bryant era of their rebuild.

Here’s our second 2016 NBA mock draft.

1) Philadelphia 76ers: Ben Simmons, F, LSU
2) Los Angeles Lakers: Brandon Ingram, F, Duke
3) Boston Celtics (via Brooklyn Nets): Jamal Murray, G, Kentucky
4) Phoenix Suns: Dragan Bender, F, Maccabi Tel Aviv
5) Minnesota Timberwolves: Buddy Hield, G, Oklahoma
6) New Orleans Pelicans: Jaylen Brown, F, California
7) Denver Nuggets (via New York Knicks): Kris Dunn, G, Providence
8) Sacramento Kings: Domantas Sabonis, C, Gonzaga
9) Toronto Raptors (via Denver Nuggets): Jakob Poeltl, C, Austria
10) Milwaukee Bucks: Furkan Korkmaz, SG, Turkey
11) Orlando Magic: Malik Beasley, G, Florida State
12) Utah Jazz: Deyonta Davis, PF, Michigan State
13) Phoenix Suns (via Washington Wizards): Demetrius Jackson, G, Notre Dame
14) Chicago Bulls: Marquese Chriss, F, Washington
15) Denver Nuggets (via Houston Rockets): Brice Johnson, PF, North Carolina
16) Boston Celtics (via Dallas Mavericks): Denzel Valentine, SG/SF, Michigan State
17) Memphis Grizzlies: Henry Ellenson, PF/C, Marquette
18) Detroit Pistons: Dejounte Murray, PG/SG, Washington
19) Denver Nuggets (via Portland Trail Blazers): Malachi Richardson, SG, Syracuse
20) Indiana Pacers: Patrick McCaw, SG, UNLV
21) Atlanta Hawks: Thon Maker, PF/C, Australia
22) Charlotte Hornets: Diamond Stone, C, Maryland
23) Boston Celtics: Stephen Zimmerman, PF/C, UNLV
24) Philadelphia 76ers (via Miami Heat): Taurean Prince, SF, Baylor
25) L.A. Clippers: Damian Jones, C, Vanderbilt
26) Philadelphia 76ers (via Oklahoma City Thunder): Timothe Luwawu, PG, France
27) Toronto Raptors: DeAndre Brembry, SG/SF, St. Joseph’s
28) Phoenix Suns (via Cleveland Cavaliers): Cheick Diallo, PF/C, Kansas
29) San Antonio Spurs: Pascal Siakam, PF, New Mexico State
30) Golden State Warriors: Guerschon Yabusele, PF, France