Buddy Hield, Oklahoma
Age: 22 years old Size: 6’4, 214 pounds
Last Season’s Stats: 25 points; 5.7 rebounds; 2 assists per game
Shooting Percentages: 50.1% from the field; 45.7% from three-point; 88% from the free throw line
Buddy Hield being paired with the Denver Nuggets at the seventh pick makes about as much sense as it can on paper. Hield has improved each year at Oklahoma and shot a career high 45.7 percent from beyond the three-point arc while taking a staggering 8.7 shot per game. He scores from all over the court and brings in a level of magnetism about him on the offensive side. Players know that he can score in almost any way he chooses. That cannot be ignored. Putting him next to Mudiay would do wonders offensively.
He is a senior, 22 years old and small compared to your prototypical wing. He is going to have issues defending at the next level and learning how to contribute more than just as a scorer. Hopefully he has the quickness to be able to continue creating his own shot and that he still can bulk up just a bit more to be able to meet NBA level strength at the rim when slashing.
Weather he falls to the Nuggets or not is a very similar situation to Jamal Murray. This draft day could wind up being so trade heavy that no one will be able to keep up with who is going where. If this happens and the Nuggets have a chance to take Hield at the seventh position then they are going to have to make a tough decision.
