New Orleans Pelicans Select Buddy Hield In NBA Draft

With the sixth pick in the NBA Draft, the New Orleans Pelican selected Buddy Hield, according to CBS Sports. The Pelicans addressed their biggest need by picking the 22-year-old shooting guard. Coming into the draft, everyone knew that the Pelicans were looking to pick up a shooter. Hield is considered one of the best shooters coming out of college this summer.

Buddy Hield was a sensation in his last year in college. He led the Oklahoma Sooners to the Final Four last season. Hield’s biggest strength is shooting from beyond the arc. He made 47 percent of three pointers. Buddy spent four years at the University of Oklahoma. He worked on polishing his game to be ready for the NBA.

Buddy is an all-around, versatile scorer. He was the go-to guy for the Sooners. Hield had a knack for knocking shots during key situations and infusing the collegiate game with some much needed fun.

Buddy Hield is selected as the No. 6 overall pick by @PelicansNBA at the #NBADrafthttps://t.co/RL7RNJfSJv

— NBA Draft (@NBADraft) June 24, 2016

There’s no question Buddy Hield will be able to shoot at an NBA level; he showed that in his time in college. Hield raised his draft stock by staying in college and working on his game. He averaged 25 points and 5.7 rebounds his senior year. Hield shot 50 percent from the field and led the nation in three point shots. He was one of the best offensive players in college basketball.

New Orleans Pelicans Head Coach Alvin Gentry helped instrument the Golden State Warriors offense. The team got what they needed in Buddy Hield. They are hoping that he will be a perfect fit. The Pelicans are looking to surround superstar Anthony Davis with players who can space the floor.

Eric Gordon is expected to explore his options in free agency this summer. Gordon has been struggled to stay healthy this past season, only playing in 45 games. One would assume, now that the New Orleans Pelicans drafted Hield with the sixth pick in the NBA Draft, Gordon could be on his way out.

Last season, Eric Gordon was making around $15 million. Buddy Hield will give the New Orleans Pelicans more flexibility to spend in free agency, since Hield’s contract is cheaper than resigning Gordon.

Buddy Hield could be inserted into the starting lineup right away his rookie season. He might be lining next to Jrue Holiday. If Holiday can stay healthy next season, he and Hield could form one of the best guard combinations in the NBA.

Jrue Holiday managed to play in 65 games last season, spending most of the time coming off the bench. Holiday was coming off a surgery last summer and Alvin Gentry wasn’t trying to put a heavy load on Holiday until he was 100 percent healed. Holiday averaged 16.8 points, six assists, and three rebounds in 28.2 minutes.

The New Orleans Pelicans are hoping that Tyreke Evans can return to form. He played in only 25 games last season. Evans went down with a season ending injury. The former Memphis Tigers star has proven that he is an all-around player in the NBA. Before going down with the injury, he averaged 15.2 points, 6.6 assists, and 5.2 rebounds. Evans was shooting a career high in three point percentage.

The New Orleans Pelican have high hopes for their new star. Buddy Hield was an excellent player in college. They are hoping he continues developing his game to be a superstar one day. The addition of Hield gives the Pelicans another guy who can help spread the floor.

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