NBA Draft: 5 destinations for Buddy Hield

Mar 20, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Buddy Hield (24) reacts in the second half against the Virginia Commonwealth Rams during the second round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

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Nov 10, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry (7) talks to guard DeMar DeRozan (10) against the New York Knicks at Air Canada Centre. The Knicks beat the Raptors 111-109. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Toronto Raptors

You may ask how the Raptors could possibly be in a position to draft Hield given the great season they’re having. The answer is that, as a result of the Andrea Bargnani trade, the Raptors will receive the lower of the Knicks or Nuggets first pick this season. Yes, you read that right, Toronto got an asset for giving up Andrea Bargnani.

That asset could turn out to be Buddy Hield, if he’s still available. Hield could combine with Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan to form a killer small ball line-up for the Raptors. DeRozan’s one weakness is his inability to consistently knock down three pointers, so he’d be a better fit for the Raptors at small forward. Hield could stretch the floor, and would leave tons of space for DeRozan and Lowry to operate with the ball.

In many ways, falling into the Raptors’ hands would be the best case scenario for Hield. He’d have the opportunity to play right away for a team that’s more than capable of reaching the NBA Finals. Not many lottery picks get that sort of chance in their rookie year.

Right now, the Raptors would have the ninth pick in the Draft, which may not be high enough to take Hield. You have to wonder if they’d consider putting a package together to move up for Hield if they are convinced he’s the missing piece who could take them to the NBA Finals.

Next: 3. New Orleans Pelicans

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