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2016 NBA Mock Draft: Built On Unpredictability

By Aaron Ferguson

March 24, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Brandon Ingram (14) dunks to score a basket against Oregon Ducks during the second half of the semifinal game in the West regional of the NCAA Tournament at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
March 24, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Brandon Ingram (14) dunks to score a basket against Oregon Ducks during the second half of the semifinal game in the West regional of the NCAA Tournament at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 19, 2016; Des Moines, IA, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Jamal Murray (23) shoots the ball against Indiana Hoosiers guard Yogi Ferrell (11) in the second half during the second round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2016; Des Moines, IA, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Jamal Murray (23) shoots the ball against Indiana Hoosiers guard Yogi Ferrell (11) in the second half during the second round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Minnesota Timberwolves – Jamal Murray (Kentucky)

The Minnesota Timberwolves already have two superstar players in the making with Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns, which should shift their focus to finding players that complement them. Enter Jamal Murray. While everyone knows that new head coach and president of basketball operations Tom Thibodeau is a defensive-minded coach, he needs to address the Wolves’ poor three-point shooting.

Murray is the perfect match to the Wolves’ needs, as he connected on 113-of-277 (40.8 percent) of his three-point shots in his one season at Kentucky. With the slashing abilities of Wiggins, the all-around offensive greatness of Towns and Ricky Rubio’s playmaking abilities, Murray will get plenty of opportunities to do what he does best, shoot from range.

Murray, 19, is a player that is going to take care of the basketball. He had a 27.1 usage rate and a turnover rate of 12.1. His ability to handle the ball makes him a versatile weapon to play either guard position, playing on or off the ball.

Defensively, Murray has room to grow. He was an average defender at Kentucky, but continued to improve as the season went on. He needs to utilize his quickness early on in the NBA as he adapts to defending more skilled players.

Minnesota kills two birds with one stone by drafting Murray, addressing their turnover problems and three-point shooting struggles from a season ago. Murray should come into the NBA knowing his role as a scorer, and focus on developing as a defender. His offensive capabilities complement the already-solid defensive Wolves.

Next: 6. New Orleans Pelicans

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