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[Editor's Note: This post will be updated throughout the day with the latest news and rumors around the league. Keep checking back for new information as it becomes available.]
Welcome to the 2016 NBA Draft. Finally the New Orleans Pelicans will do something. We all hope that something will be intelligent and not rash or short sighted. The franchise will add more talent and the product on the floor will improve. Pelican fans everywhere can go back to enjoying rooting for the team we support to win games, instead of lose them in order to accumulate ping pong balls.
Who should don a Pelicans uniform beside Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday? Who do the experts think New Orleans will select? Who does our intrepid blogging staff believe is the correct selection? Glad you asked. We've got you covered.
Below are our own profiles of a wide variety of prospects, including nearly half the projected lottery. Further down you can find the latest mock drafts, news, and rumors swirling around the draft. Last is our big board, with the input of the community as well.
New Orleans owns three picks in the draft; 6th, 39th, and 40th.
What: 2016 NBA Draft
When: 6 PM Central
Where: Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY
TV: ESPN (1602 - AT&T UVerse, 808 - Charter, 1035 - Cox, 206 - DirecTV)
Streaming: WatchESPN or ESPN App
Alternative Coverage: The Vertical
Draft Profiles
Probable Picks
- Prospect Profile: Dragan Bender, PF/C, Croatia
- Prospect Profile: Kris Dunn, PG, Providence
- Prospect Profile: Buddy Hield, SG, Oklahoma
- Prospect Profile: Jamal Murray, SG/PG, Kentucky
Possible Picks
- Prospect Profile: Jaylen Brown, SF, California
- Prospect Profile Domantas Sabonis, PF/C, Gonzaga
- Prospect Profile: Denzel Valentine, SG/SF, Michigan State
- Prospect Profile: Malcolm Brogdon, SG/SF, Virginia
- Prospect Profile: Kay Felder, PG, Oakland
- Prospect Profile: Ron Baker, SG, Wichita State
Extremely Unlikely Picks
Latest News and Rumors
Atlanta Hawks, Indiana Pacers, and Utah Jazz complete three team trade sending Jeff Teague to Indiana, George Hill to Utah, and the 12th pick to Atlanta.
Atlanta Hawks are shopping the 12th and 21st picks
Draft picks for sale! By my count that's picks 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 19, 20, & 21 on the market https://t.co/Wk8FKlimOo
— Chad Ford (@chadfordinsider) June 22, 2016
New York Knicks trade Robin Lopez, Jose Calderon, and Jerian Grant for Derrick Rose - The Vertical
ESPN Grade A Draft: Pelicans select Kris Dunn, Malcolm Brogdon, and Jarrod Uthoff
The two guys that Ainge and Celtics really like if they keep the No. 3 pick are Kris Dunn and Jaylen Brown, sources told ESPN.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) June 23, 2016
Pelicans keeping quiet on draft many are calling hard to predict - The New Orleans Advocate
Sources: Charlotte's offering No. 22 - if team will take contract of Spencer Hawes or Jeremy Lamb. Hornets need space to re-sign free agents
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) June 23, 2016
Pelicans should absolutely get in on Lamb and the 22nd pick.
League sources tell @chadfordinsider and me: Philadelphia is ramping up its efforts to acquire tonight's No. 3 overall pick from Boston.
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) June 23, 2016
Numerous rivals describe Philly as the most active team in circulation ... with a trade involving Nerlens Noel looking more and more likely
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) June 23, 2016
Sixers are probably chasing a guard. Kris Dunn or Jamal Murray might make sense. Or they love Buddy Hield.
Brooklyn has traded forward Thad Young to the Indiana Pacers for the 20th pick and a future 2nd rounder, league sources tell @TheVertical.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) June 23, 2016
Brooklyn Nets new GM Sean Marks seems to understand sunk costs. What's it like to have a GM in charge who does? Pelican fans may never know.
Celtics fielding calls for the No. 3 pick — and the majority of the teams interested to take Kris Dunn, sources told ESPN.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) June 23, 2016
If Kris Dunn's gone at No. 5, Minnesota's Tom Thibodeau has Oklahoma's Buddy Hield next up on Wolves' board, sources tell @TheVertical.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) June 23, 2016
Not looking like either of Kris Dunn or Buddy Hield will be on the board when the Pelicans pick. Jamal Murray suddenly the favorite?
Big Board
Full details can be found here!
- Ben Simmons
- Brandon Ingram
- Buddy Hield
- Jamal Murray
- Kris Dunn
- Dragan Bender
- Denzel Valentine
- Marquese Chriss
- Domantas Sabonis
- Jaylen Brown