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2016 NBA Draft: 5 rookies primed to make biggest impact

By Tom West

Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver holds a basketball while posing for a photo with draft prospects from left Buddy Hield (Oklahoma) , Ben Simmons (LSU), Brandon Ingram (Duke) and Kris Dunn (Providence) before the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver holds a basketball while posing for a photo with draft prospects from left Buddy Hield (Oklahoma) , Ben Simmons (LSU), Brandon Ingram (Duke) and Kris Dunn (Providence) before the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Buddy Hield (Oklahoma) gestures to the crowd after being selected as the number six overall pick to the New Orleans Pelicans in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Buddy Hield (Oklahoma) gestures to the crowd after being selected as the number six overall pick to the New Orleans Pelicans in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Buddy Hield

Buddy Hield is certainly one of the most popular players among general basketball fans in this draft. He’s the guy that shot the lights out last season and averaged 25 points per game with a 45.7 percent three-point stroke, making four treys a night as well. Fans love baskets and Buddy brings them.

Hield was a brilliant college scorer, and while there are some questions about the extent to which his scoring will translate to the NBA due to his size at 6’4″ and non-elite athleticism, he’s arrived in an ideal situation in New Orleans to find success.

First off, with shooting guard Eric Gordon hitting free agency and unlikely to receive a pay rise from the hefty $15.5 million the Pelicans were already paying him, a spot for Hield has opened up. Not to mention the very selection of Hield indicates the intention for New Orleans to adjust their backcourt, regardless of him being one of the best players available with the 6th pick. The future of Tyreke Evans with the Pelicans also seems uncertain.

Ultimately, though, Hield’s chance to make an impact comes down to playing alongside Anthony Davis. The potential for big minutes and a point guard such as Jrue Holiday help as well, of course, but Davis’ play from the post, mid-range shooting, pick-and-pop/roll ability and general prolific scoring help keep the attention away from a shooter like Hield.

Buddy can enjoy playing off the ball and coming off screens for more open shots as he did so effectively in college, and can only benefit from Davis being the focus for opposing defenses.

Simply due to having the talent of Davis to play off of and the chance for those shots, Hield could well be putting up bigger numbers than fellow rookie scoring stud Jamal Murray. With his smooth stroke and range from deep, ability to create space with his footwork outside, drive inside, and create off the dribble with step-backs and pull-ups, Hield has the right shooting tools to implement into the Pelicans’ Davis-led offense.

If his shooting stroke stays as sharp as draft night suit, Pelicans fans should love watching Hield.

Next: A sleeper pick to Atlanta

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