2016 NBA Mock Draft: Drafting For Need

Dragan Bender, a professional Croatian basketball player currently playing for Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Israeli Basketball Super League attends a training session at the Menora Mivtachim Arena in Tel Aviv on March 16, 2016.Bender's name is not yet well known beyond hardcore basketball fans, but that may soon change. Bender is expected to be highly sought after by US professional basketball teams in the coming months. / AFP / JACK GUEZ (Photo credit should read JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images) /

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Mar 5, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Jamal Murray (23) reacts from the court during the game against the LSU Tigers in the second half at Rupp Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports /

6. New Orleans Pelicans: Jamal Murray, Kentucky Wildcats

Position: Guard
Age: 19 (2/23/1997)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’5″, 201 pounds, 6’7″
Slash Line: .454/.408/.783
Season Averages: 35.2 MPG, 20.0 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 2.2 APG, 1.0 SPG, 3.1 3PM

The New Orleans Pelicans have a critical question to answer during the 2016 NBA Draft. That question revolves around whether the Pelicans should pad the perimeter, draft for potential, or solidify the defensive interior.

Thus, this pick comes down to Buddy Hield, Jamal Murray, and Jakob Poeltl.

Hield and Poeltl have built a strong fanbase due to their multiple years of college experience, but Murray has the highest ceiling in that group. He isn’t too far behind Hield as a shooter after making 113 3-point field goals in 36 games on 40.8 percent shooting from behind the arc, and is already a better ball-handler.

As a shooting guard, Murray brings the same strengths to the table as Hield with the added benefits of positional versatility and being three years younger.

Murray can step in and contribute from Day 1 as a shooter with the mental makeup of an NBA star. His court vision became underrated due to the role he played with the Kentucky Wildcats, but his skill set is built for Alvin Gentry’s offense.

If Murray is developed correctly, he and Davis could anchor the future of the organization.

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