Orlando Magic Daily
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Last six sixth overall picks should give Orlando Magic hope for NBA Draft

By S.W. Guest

Feb 15, 2017; Raleigh, NC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Dennis Smith Jr. (4) is fouled by North Carolina Tar Heels forward Theo Pinson (1) during the first half at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 15, 2017; Raleigh, NC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Dennis Smith Jr. (4) is fouled by North Carolina Tar Heels forward Theo Pinson (1) during the first half at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Buddy Hield, New Orleans Pelicans
Nov 12, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Buddy Hield (24) drives past Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell (1) during the second half of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Lakers defeated the Pelicans 126-99. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

2016 –- Buddy Hield (New Orleans Pelicans)

Beyond Ben Simmons and Brandon Ingram, the 2016 NBA Draft was a tough one to call.

Almost a year since, it is still difficult to decide who exactly from that group has the ability to be great. Jaylen Brown, who was taken third overall by the Boston Celtics, looks to have a great future. While Thon Maker, taken 10th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks, looks like a high-upside big man.

If you ask Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Ranadive though, Buddy Hield, drafted sixth overall by the New Orleans Pelicans, is head and shoulders above everyone else.

In fact, Ranadive feels Hield is the best thing since sliced bread. And even likened him to reigning MVP Steph Curry when the Kings traded DeMarcus Cousins for him back in February.

Ludicrous comparisons aside, Hield does have plenty of upside. He averaged 10.6 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists his rookie year. He shoots the ball fairly well (43 percent from the field and 39 percent from deep). And actually took a big step forward during the 25 appearances he made for Sacramento. He averaged 15.1 points per game and his effective field goal percentage shot up to 52.5 percent (including 42.8 percent from beyond the arc).

The problem is that he is no Steph Curry, and probably never will be.

The other problem is Sacramento gave up its franchise player for a middle-of-the-road rookie, Tyreke Evans, Langston Galloway, a first-round pick (the 11th pick) and a second-round pick.

Hield has the potential to be an important part of Sacramento’s rebuild. But he is unlikely to be the main piece. Still, of all the players on this list, he has had the least time to prove himself and it will interesting to see if he can take a big leap next season.