Hoops Habit
Fansided

Redrafting the 2016 NBA Draft class

By Simon Shortt

Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver poses for a group photo on stage with draft prospects before the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver poses for a group photo on stage with draft prospects before the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
23 of 31
Next
Oct 19, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Henry Ellenson (8) gets defended by Toronto Raptors forward Patrick Patterson (54) during the third quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Raptors won 103-92. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 19, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Henry Ellenson (8) gets defended by Toronto Raptors forward Patrick Patterson (54) during the third quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Raptors won 103-92. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

22. Charlotte Hornets

Original Pick: Malachi Richardson (Traded to SAC)
New Pick: Henry Ellenson (Traded to SAC)

The Charlotte Hornets decided to forego a draft selection on this night and instead trade for a veteran. The Hornets sent the 22nd pick to the Sacramento Kings for sharpshooter Marco Belinelli. Given Belinelli’s season –10.5 points per game, 36 percent shooting from deep — and the uncertainty with their roster, making this trade again in order to provide the team with some consistency might be the right move.

With perhaps the savviest move in recent Sacramento Kings history, they turn a 30-year-old backup shooting guard into another young piece as they rebuild. This time around though, they select the dynamic freshman Henry Ellenson out of Marquette.

While they would probably kill to take Geogios Papagiannis 10 spots below where they originally selected him, Ellenson is the best choice. After losing Skal Labissiere to this re-draft, the Kings find themselves with a hole at power forward.

Ellenson’s smooth and versatile offensive game, paired in the post with Willie Cauley-Stein, would give the Kings a solid foundation down low. Ellenson not only has the ability to create for himself in the half-court, but has the athleticism and ball handling to go coast-to-coast and finish after grabbing a rebound. For a team 24th in the league in scoring, this could be a good way to spark some offense.