2016 NBA Mock Draft: Celtics hold the draft cards at 3

Jakob Poeltl . 6. player. 69. <p>With shooting guard Eric Gordon heading into free agency, finding some outside shooting will likely be a priority for New Orleans this offseason. Both Kentucky’s Jamal Murray and Oklahoma’s Buddy Hield would help fill that role and at least one of them figures to be available at the sixth pick on draft night. However, it also would make sense for the Pelicans to protect big man Anthony Davis, a superstar talent who has never played more than 70 games in an NBA season. One way to help keep Davis safe is to find a center capable of battling in the paint who would allow him to play his more natural power forward position.</p> <p>Utah’s Jakob Poeltl is the best center prospect in a draft that is loaded with high upside front court prospects. Poeltl is most impressive on the defensive end where he’s had success switching onto smaller players in spurts and was also an adequate rim protector in college, averaging 2.5 blocks per 40 minutes with a 6.5 percent block rate over two seasons. Offensively, the Austrian is an excellent pick-and-roll diver because of his good footwork and soft hands. The majority of his shots will come at the rim, but he is highly efficient in that area, converting 69.3 percent of his layups or dunks as a sophomore.</p> <p>Poeltl isn’t a flashy selection, but the Pelicans have to prioritize keeping their best player on the floor and the Utes’ center might be their best option for doing so.</p> <p><em>To read more about Jakob Poeltl, <a href=. C. Utah