I kicked off this thread 15 months ago with a way-too-early ranking of the 2016 draft class that showed Jaylen as 5th best (counting Ben Simmons, who had not played yet,as ahead of him). Here's a ranking someone posted on Reddit about a month ago. It's nice to see an analysis by someone without green-tinted eyeglasses. The author asserts that there is a big dropoff after #3.
() is where NBADRAFT.net had the player ranked prior to the 2016 NBA draft.
1 Ben Simmons (1)
A rookie this season, but Simmons is still the clear cut number 1 player from this class. A top 25 overall player.
2 Jaylen Brown (3)
In terms of who has better long term potential, Ingram. Right now, I'll give Brown the slight edge though. He has taken giant steps in his 2nd season, is efficient, consistent, and a key player for a playoff team.
3 Brandon Ingram (2)
These are the top 3 by far though. I know some will argue Ingram should be higher, and he has been steadily rising my overall ranking the more I watch him and I think he can be a top 50 player overall by the end of this season if things go well.
4 Domantas Sabonis (8)
Has taken big steps this year, and in a re-draft I think the Suns probably should have taken him over Chriss/Bender.
5 Malcolm Brogdon (34)
The rookie of the year for this class, Brogdon will be a key role player for 8-10 years as long as he stays healthy.
6 Fred VanVleet (NR)
I had to double check, but nbadraft.net did not even have him ranked in the top 100! I mean yea I probably wouldn't of had him top 40 but he was a good player in college I for sure would of had him top 50 or 60 at least. But, he's taken giant steps this year and is cementing his spot as a respected NBA player.
7 Jamal Murray (10)
It was very close between him/Van Vleet. Murray has taken steps as a scorer this year, still has a lot to improve on, but he's progressed and that's all you can ask of a 2nd year player.
8 Pascal Siakam (36)
Of the top 8, 3 of the players weren't even in the top 34 before the draft! Siakam has progressed a lot this year, and it's clear the Raptors do a great job of developing players as they have 2 of the top 8.
9 DeJounte Murray (11)
nbadraft.net did get this one pretty spot on! Murray had a nice game last night, and I believe he has legit top 20-25 overall potential in a few years if everything clicks. By the time I re-rank this next year he could be top 5.
10 Jakob Poeltl (17)
The Raptors get 3 players in the top 10! Especially for how bad this draft is considered right now, Massai deserves a hip hip hooray! But for real, Poeltl is becoming a bad man. I watched him take Andre Drummond to school this past week, and not just when he dunked on him, the whole game he was working him. Another guy who when I do this next year he can rise up.
11 Buddy Hield (5)
In a re-draft, probably goes to a late lotto pick, but still I wouldn't consider him a bust by any means. He's also a guy I can see progressing even further years 3/4, his shot is solid and he has nice bball IQ.
12 Yogi Ferrell (80)
Man this class is weird, but Yogi was undrafted, made a name for himself with the Mavs, and is still coming off the bench and getting buckets. He can be a talented 2nd string PG for any team.
13 Caris LeVert (22)
Could be a little more consistent, but overall if he progresses nice in year 3 by this time next year could be in the top 10 on here.
14 Skal Labissiere (14)
The Kings hit on this pick, consistency is an issue like LaVert, will put up 20/10 one game and disappear the next. Still, I like his potential and see him higher than this next year.
15 Kris Dunn (4)
He had a hot streak in January. Has shed the premature bust label, I'm maybe not as high on him as some are on here, but he has shown me he can for sure be a solid 8-10 year PG. If he gets a consistent shot, he could pull the Chauncey Billups late progression swag.
16 Taurean Prince (27)
17 Bryn Forbes (NR)
18 Denzel Valentine (20)
19 Thon Maker (26)
20 Isaiah Taylor (70)
21 Tyrone Wallace (59)
22 David Nwaba (NR)
23 Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (32)
24 Deyonta Davis (13)
25 Marquese Chriss (7)