The Boston Celtics have the No. 3 overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, and if they actually keep the pick, could sharpshooter Buddy Hield be a good choice for the team with an already crowded backcourt?
The Boston Celtics are one of the best teams in the NBA and have a lottery pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, but they were put in a tough spot after receiving the No. 3 pick.
The Celtics are probably not going to be a position to take either Ben Simmons or Brandon Ingram with the third pick, and if they do not trade it, then they’ll be forced to use it on someone. So who could they take?
Dragan Bender is the most common name that comes to mind with pick No. 3, but if the Celtics hold on to the pick, they are going to want a player that is experienced and can step in right away. That player could be Buddy Hield.
The Celtics were 28th in three-point shooting percentage this season at 33.5 percent, and the team needs to improve their shooting from beyond the arc. In that respect, Hield could help out big time. He averaged 25.0 points per game and shot 45.7 percent from deep in his senior season for the Oklahoma Sooners.
Hield showed that he could score in a variety of ways last season, and even though Boston’s backcourt is crowded, the Celtics could use his shooting and scoring ability.
Some of the other players that the Celtics could take at No. 3 overall include Bender, Jaylen Brown and Jamal Murray, but all of these players are young and might need ample time to develop. This is why taking a chance on Hield might be the right move to make.
Yes, the Celtics have a crowded backcourt and Hield is not very good on defense, but his offense is remarkable and he can shoot from just about anywhere on the court.
The thing that makes Hield very intriguing is that he played in college all four years and he improved every year. The Celtics could slot him right into the rotation off the bench because of his ability to shoot efficiently from all over the court, but they will like him a lot because of his ability to hit the deep ball.
Overall
The Celtics did not get luck on lottery night by receiving the No. 3 pick, and even though they should try to trade the pick for proven players, Buddy Hield might be worth drafting instead.
Boston needs a player that can flat out score, and if they do not find a good trade involving the third overall pick, then the Celtics should take Hield. Boston might have to think about trimming some of their backcourt in the future, but Hield coming off the bench next season could seriously help the team.
Hield has all the tools on the offensive end and if he can start playing better defense at the next level, he will have a long career.
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Head coach Brad Stevens would love to have Hield’s scoring ability on his roster next season, and he will not need time to adjust to the next level. Hield could make Boston better right away.