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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 /
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Apr 1, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Buddy Hield (24) watches a free throw during the second half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Kings won 123-117. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 1, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Buddy Hield (24) watches a free throw during the second half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Kings won 123-117. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Minnesota Timberwolves

Original Pick: Kris Dunn
New Pick: Buddy Hield

When this pick was first made, we all gave praise to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Ricky Rubio is always on the trade block, and Kris Dunn could be a plus defender at point guard — an important trait for new head coach Tom Thibodeau.

Dunn had an underwhelming year in Minnesota despite seeing 17 minutes of action per night averaging less than four points per game on sub-par shooting. I’m not ready to write him off, as point guards take time to develop, and he did average over five assists and two steals per 36 minutes.

But he’s not the right pick for the Timberwolves. Instead, they look to college shooting star Buddy Hield, who had an impressive rookie year. Hield averaged 10.6 points per game on 39 percent shooting from deep for the year, but 15.1 points and 43 percent shooting from three since joining the Sacramento Kings in February.

Hield would be a great fit for Minnesota by spacing the floor for Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns. While this complicates things a bit for Zach LaVine, it would force him and the team to continue his development. He will either become a super sixth man, or eventually take the reins from Rubio at point guard. But with Rubio’s stellar play toward the end of the season, it looks like these three could have been together for quite some time.