2016 NBA Mock Draft: Brooklyn Nets Trade Into First Round

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86. . SG. Oklahoma. Buddy Hield. 5. player

Apr 2, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Buddy Hield (24) handles the ball during the second half against the Villanova Wildcats in the 2016 NCAA Men /

Coach Tom Thibodeau accurately believes the Minnesota Timberwolves are ready to take the next step forward and make the NBA Playoffs in the near future.

So drafting someone who can contribute immediately makes sense, and Hield is undeniably ready to play as a rookie. The reigning Naismith National Player of the Year is probably the best shooter in this draft along with Jamal Murray. After finishing 29-53, he’d be a great addition to a young team that ranked near the bottom (25th) in 3-point shooting this past season.

The Wolves building are building their team around Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins, an off-the-ball shooter of Hield’s caliber would be a huge help for a team looking to take that next step. After averaging 25 points per game last season, Hield will be able to step in the NBA and score immediately.

Hield is a better defender than what many people in the basketball world think. He will likely start his time on the bench, so he’ll have a year or two to learn defense and improve his ballhandling as he grows into a starter in the NBA.

Next: New Orleans Pelicans No. 6