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2016 NBA Draft: Jamal Murray Player Breakdown

By Maxwell Ogden

Mar 12, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Jamal Murray (23) leaves the court after defeating the Georgia Bulldogs during the second half of game eleven of the SEC tournament at Bridgestone Arena. Kentucky won 93-80. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Jamal Murray (23) leaves the court after defeating the Georgia Bulldogs during the second half of game eleven of the SEC tournament at Bridgestone Arena. Kentucky won 93-80. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 13, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (left) talks with guard Andrew Wiggins on the bench prior to the game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeated the Timberwolves 108-101. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (left) talks with guard Andrew Wiggins on the bench prior to the game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeated the Timberwolves 108-101. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Ideal Fits

Evaluating teams based on record and current draft position, it’s hard to imagine Jamal Murray falling out of the Top 8.

The Minnesota Timberwolves need a facilitator who can shoot and function off-ball. Ricky Rubio is an outstanding passer, and Zach LaVine is an explosive athlete who can space the floor, but the lack of a knockdown shooter limits the Timberwolves’ potential.

If Murray can facilitate the offense, all the while thriving off-ball as Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins operate in isolation, he could complete the formation of Minnesota’s offensive attack.

April 1, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley (0, left) celebrates with guard Isaiah Thomas (4) after the game against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena. The Celtics defeated the Warriors 109-106. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
April 1, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley (0, left) celebrates with guard Isaiah Thomas (4) after the game against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena. The Celtics defeated the Warriors 109-106. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

The Boston Celtics have an All-Star at point guard in the 5’9″ Isaiah Thomas, and a 3-and-D specialist at the 2 in the 6’2″ Avery Bradley. Their backcourt is undersized, and Marcus Smart‘s jump shot is a genuine liability, which makes the 6’5″ Murray an obvious option.

The same can be said for the New Orleans Pelicans. Both Tyreke Evans and Jrue Holiday are under contract, but the former can’t shoot, the latter has a long history of injuries, and starting shooting guard Eric Gordon will be an unrestricted free agent this coming summer.

Jan 9, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) and guard Tyreke Evans react following a basket to end the first half by guard Jrue Holiday (11) during a game against the Memphis Grizzlies at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) and guard Tyreke Evans react following a basket to end the first half by guard Jrue Holiday (11) during a game against the Memphis Grizzlies at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

Murray would help space the floor for Anthony Davis while flourishing in an Alvin Gentry offense that’s built to accommodate his strengths.

Rounding out the Top 5 realistic options are the Sacramento Kings and Toronto Raptors. For Sacramento, Ben McLemore hasn’t worked out and Rajon Rondo may leave—a similar reality for Toronto with pending unrestricted free agent DeMar DeRozan.

More hoops habit: Russell Westbrook is making a late push for MVP. Can he catch Stephen Curry?

Regardless of when Murray comes off the board, there are five viable options to select him in the Top 10.

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