The 2016 NBA draft included some anticipated selections, like top two picks Ben Simmons to the 76ers and Brandon Ingram to the Lakers, but also a few surprises. (Video: ESPN)

NEW YORK — Well, that was something.

It was a bizarre and unpredictable evening at Barclays Center, the site of the 2016 NBA draft. On a night when confusion was expected, confusion was indeed provided to the fans who watched from the stands or around the world on television.

Everyone knew Ben Simmons was going to go first overall to the Philadelphia 76ers, and everyone knew Brandon Ingram was going to go second overall to the Los Angeles Lakers. After that, though, the draft provided every bit the unexpected roller coaster ride it was supposed to.

Here’s how I saw the night play out:

WINNERS

Philadelphia 76ers

After three years of losing, the Philadelphia 76ers finally were rewarded with the No. 1 pick. And in a completely unpredictable draft, getting Ben Simmons at the top — the unquestioned top pick in this draft — gives the Sixers the face of their franchise they desperately needed.

Later, Philadelphia used their first round picks at Nos. 24 and 26 to draft a pair of European wing players — Timothe Luwawu and Furkan Korkmaz — that give the Sixers some three-point shooting and depth at a position where they lack it. It wasn’t a grand slam of a night (Philadelphia tried, and failed, to get Dunn), but on a night with few clear winners, the Sixers easily were among them.

Ben Simmons is already crossing over fools before he’s even drafted

Chicago Bulls

There was plenty of talk the Bulls might trade Jimmy Butler, their all-star shooting guard. Instead, the Bulls kept him on the roster and then went and grabbed another versatile wing, Denzel Valentine, at No. 14. Chicago still needs to find a point guard after moving on from Derrick Rose by sending him to the New York Knicks, but they did the right thing to keep Butler and add a player in Valentine who can step in right away and play next to him.

Chicago still needs to find a way to mend fences between Butler and Fred Hoiberg. But by keeping Butler, and adding Valentine, the Bulls had a good night for them.

Trade for Derrick Rose shows quick-fix Knicks can’t quit old habits

Minnesota Timberwolves

In Kris Dunn, the Timberwolves not only got the best guard in this draft but a defensive menace to join a burgeoning young core in Minneapolis. Between Dunn, Zach LaVine, Andrew Wiggins and Karl Anthony-Towns, plus the recent hiring of Tom Thibodeau, there is as much to be excited about in Minnesota as there has been since a Kevin Garnett in his prime was playing for the franchise.

The only question now is what Ricky Rubio’s future is in Minnesota. The arrival of Dunn could lead to his departure — bringing in other assets to fill in around the Timberwolves’ young, talented core.

Phoenix Suns

As stated earlier, it was hard to find too many winners on a confusing night. But the Suns wound up being on the list because they took chances on two big, talented forwards inside the top 10 picks.

Croatian forward Dragan Bender was the selection at No. 4, and the Suns traded up to get Marquese Chriss at No. 8. Chriss shot up draft boards in recent weeks, though he’s a raw prospect with plenty to learn, while Bender has been projected to be high in this draft for years. If either one turns into the star they’re capable of being, Phoenix will have had a terrific night.

LOSERS

Boston Celtics

Thursday night was set to be a big one for the Celtics. Despite the fact Boston was rumored to be involved in talks with the Chicago Bulls for Butler and the Philadelphia 76ers for some combination of their young big men, the Celtics wound up staying put and taking Cal forward Jaylen Brown with the third pick. Brown is a multi-tool wing who has plenty of upside, but it isn’t the kind of splash the Celtics were expected to make.

Boston then followed that up by taking French forward Guerschon Yabusele at No. 16 and Croatian center Ante Zizic at No. 23 — players no one anywhere within Boston’s city limits will have ever heard of. Perhaps one or more of those three will become stars, and Boston will find the star player it has been searching for. But instead of making a big splash, the Celtics barely made a ripple Thursday night.

Sacramento Kings

This says it all:

https://twitter.com/boogiecousins/status/746149291249410050

Let’s just say it was an interesting night in Sacramento. The Kings made a smart trade, sending Marco Belinelli to the Charlotte Hornets for the No. 22 pick, and then traded the No. 8 pick to the Phoenix Suns for the No. 13 and 28 selections, along with the draft rights to former overseas stash player Bogdan Bogdanovic. But then they went and drafted an 18-year-old Greek center named Georgios Papagiannis at No. 13 and Kentucky center Skal Labissiere at No. 28.

This is on a team that already has DeMarcus Cousins, Willie Cauley-Stein and Kosta Koufos under contract for next season. Maybe the Kings are going to try and play an all-center lineup at some point? Cousins certainly would like to handle the ball like a point guard, if given the chance.

DeMarcus Cousins did not seem thrilled with the Kings’ first draft pick

Orlando Magic

The Orlando Magic paid a heavy price to get Serge Ibaka, the stretch power forward new Coach Frank Vogel needs to play alongside center Nikola Vucevic. Not only did the Magic send along the draft rights to the No. 11 pick, Domantas Sabonis, but they also traded guard Victor Oladipo and forward Ersan Ilyasova.

Ibaka is a talented power forward who can both shoot threes and block shots — a dangerous combination — but he also is entering the final year of his previous contract as the salary cap is set to take another huge leap upwards next season.

The Magic might want to stay off Twitter for awhile after that Serge Ibaka trade