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2016 NBA Mock Draft: Bender and Hield Both Drop

By Jay Siskin

Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; General view of the stage before the start of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; General view of the stage before the start of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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18. . SG. Kentucky. Jamal Murray. 3. player

Mar 17, 2016; Des Moines, IA, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Jamal Murray (23) dribbles against the Stony Brook Seawolves in the first round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2016; Des Moines, IA, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Jamal Murray (23) dribbles against the Stony Brook Seawolves in the first round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /

In a pre-draft workout with the Celtics, Jamal Murray made 79 of 100 3-point in a performance that was impressive by all counts. It also shouldn’t be all that surprising that Murray shot 40.8 percent from 3-point range during his one season at Kentucky. Boston really needs shooting., and 2008 Ray Allen isn’t walking through the door anytime soon.

When John Caliper gave the notion that his former shooting guard is the safest pick in the draft, and should go No. 1 overall, it wasn’t necessarily wrong. Murray’s skill set (deep three-point shooting) should be a nice addition to a young team, and provide the perfect balance for a team that already has scoring from the point guard position with Isaiah Thomas.

Murray will likely be a shooting guard in the NBA, but he is capable of playing at either guard spot. An off-the-ball shooter of Murray’s caliber, who can also create off the dribble, would be a huge help to Isaiah Thomas and a team that is in dire need of shooters and scorers.

Murray has the scoring instincts and ability and shooting touch to be a good NBA scorer. The Celtics going this direction makes a lot of sense, in my opinion.

Next: Phoenix Suns No. 4