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2016 NBA Mock Draft: Every Team’s Ideal Fit

By Maxwell Ogden

Mar 17, 2016; Raleigh, NC, USA; Providence Friars guard Kris Dunn (3) celebrates with Providence Friars forward Ben Bentil (0) after a play against the USC Trojans during the second half at PNC Arena. The Friars wins 70-69. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2016; Raleigh, NC, USA; Providence Friars guard Kris Dunn (3) celebrates with Providence Friars forward Ben Bentil (0) after a play against the USC Trojans during the second half at PNC Arena. The Friars wins 70-69. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 20, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Buddy Hield (24) celebrates defeating the Virginia Commonwealth Rams 85-81 during the second round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Buddy Hield (24) celebrates defeating the Virginia Commonwealth Rams 85-81 during the second round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

7. Denver Nuggets (via Knicks): Buddy Hield, Oklahoma Sooners

Position: Shooting Guard

Age: 22 (12/17/1993)

Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’4.5″, 215 pounds, 6’8.5″

Slash Line: .496/.464/.895

Season Averages: 35.0 MPG, 25.0 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 2.1 APG, 1.2 SPG, 4.0 3PM

The Denver Nuggets are in a very interesting position entering the 2016 NBA Draft. They have many options to choose from, but the two at the front of the pack are power forward Henry Ellenson and shooting guard Buddy Hield.

As exciting as it would be to see Ellenson and Nikola Jokic teaming up on offense, the best option at this current time is Hield.

Gary Harris has superior 3-and-D potential, but Hield is a genuinely elite shooter who would fit wonderfully in Michael Malone’s system. He can work off-ball and utilize screens to create open looks, and is just as lethal when pulling up and shooting off the bounce.

Having an elite shooter in the backcourt would be a vital development for a team that is building around Emmanuel Mudiay.

Ellenson is admittedly intriguing, but neither he nor Jokic have the desirable level of athleticism to stop the pick-and-roll defensively. Hield isn’t exactly a defensive ace, but he has an elite skill, which makes his weakness easier to accept.

Another player could overtake Hield by season’s end, but after seeing what Malone did with Klay Thompson, it’s hard not to be intrigued by this match.

Next: Toronto Raptors

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