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2016 NBA Mock Draft: Brown Rises to Top-5, Murray Falls Out

By Jay Siskin

Feb 6, 2016; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears forward Jaylen Brown (0) tries to get around Stanford Cardinal guard Dorian Pickens (11) in the first half at Haas Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports.
Feb 6, 2016; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears forward Jaylen Brown (0) tries to get around Stanford Cardinal guard Dorian Pickens (11) in the first half at Haas Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports. /
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C. Utah. Jakob Poeltl. 14. player. 24.

Feb 27, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Utes forward Jakob Poeltl (42) dribbles the ball during the second half against the Arizona Wildcats at Jon M. Huntsman Center. Utah 2on 70-64. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Utes forward Jakob Poeltl (42) dribbles the ball during the second half against the Arizona Wildcats at Jon M. Huntsman Center. Utah 2on 70-64. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /

Poeltl emerged as one of the most productive big men in college basketball last season for Utah. He won Pac-12 Player of the Year honors along with both the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Pete Newell Big Man awards while averaging 17.3 points and 9.1 rebounds over 30.5 minutes per game. As a potential top-15 pick, Poeltl figures to be one of the first centers off the board come draft day thanks to the marked improvement he showed as a sophomore.

Rumors around the NBA indicate that Joakim Noah is leaving Chicago via free agency this summer along with future hall-of-famer Pau Gasol. This would force the Bulls to focus on front court prospects, and Poeltl would be one who could play right away.

Poeltl’s physical profile and low-post skills makes him a player who could help to bolster a team’s front-court rotation immediately. The former Ute can also come off the bench behind Taj Gibson as he continues to develop down the line.

The Austrian center was a near double-double machine his sophomore year at Utah, and should fit in nicely alongside Bobby Portis in the Bulls’ front court. If the Bulls end up keeping Gasol or Noah, getting a big man who plays good team defense, and has as versatility on offense as Poeltl is, would be a nice addition.

Next: Denver Nuggets No. 15