2016 NBA Draft Grades

Jun 24, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers number one overall draft pick Ben Simmons (25) and number twenty-fourth overall draft pick Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (20) pose for a photo at a press conference at the Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

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Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

Phoenix Suns

Dragan Bender, PF (4), Marquese Chriss, PF (8) *via Sacramento, Tyler Ulis, PG (34)

I haven’t always been on board the Dragan Bender train, but I do think the Phoenix Suns might have won this draft. They exchanged picks 13, 28, a 2020 second rounder, and Bogdan Bogdanovic to move up five spots, and it may have been the smartest trade in the draft.

The Suns grabbed two of the elite 8 prospects (and there is a bit of a gap after the first 8), in their greatest position of need. If they both meet expectations, Phoenix is in a great place. The Suns hope Tyler Ulis is the next Isaiah Thomas, who they definitely regret giving away at this point, but in reality Ulis will make for a great backup point guard the duration of his career.

Draft Grade: A+

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