NBA Mock Draft: Denver Nuggets Select Buddy Hield After Deal With Minnesota

NBA Mock Draft Pick #5 -- Buddy Hield, SG, Oklahoma

The Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets have agreed to a trade.

The Minnesota Timberwolves send the #5 pick to the Denver Nuggets. Denver Nuggets will send #7 and #15 pick to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

SB Nation's Nuggets blog, Denver Stiffs, explain the trade and subsequent selection:

There's no doubt the Nuggets are in desperate need for shooting to help space the floor for Emmanuel Mudiay. When Jamal Murray went off the board at #4, Denver had to be aggressive to ensure Hield would not
go off the board before their pick at #7 so they move up two spots to get their guy. Buddy will bring instant scoring and spacing to the Nuggets while also bringing something the organization desperately desires: star power.

After a stellar senior season that culminated in a final four appearance for Oklahoma, Hield became perhaps the third most hyped prospect in the draft behind Ben Simmons and Brandon Ingram. For a
team like the Nuggets who came in dead last in attendance, grabbing aguy with instant recognition like Hield is the best thing the organization can do to drum up excitement and get the city of Denver to remember there's actually more than the Broncos and a party deck at Coors Field when it comes to professional sports.

Ridiculous Upside analysis: This trade was definitely a great move for a rebuilding Nuggets squad that needs an offensive boost. That need would definitely be filled by Buddy Hield, who averaged 25 points on 50% from the field and 46% from beyond the arc as a senior.

1) Philadelphia 76ers: BEN SIMMONS

2) Los Angeles Lakers: BRANDON INGRAM

3) Phoenix Suns (From Boston): DRAGAN BENDER

4) Utah Jazz (From Phoenix): JAMAL MURRAY

5) Denver Nuggets (from Minnesota) : BUDDY HIELD

6) New Orleans Pelicans:

7) Minnesota Timberwolves (from Denver):

8) Sacramento Kings:

9) Toronto Raptors:

10) Milwaukee Bucks:

11) Orlando Magic:

12) Utah Jazz:

13) Phoenix Suns:

14) Chicago Bulls:

15) Denver Nuggets:

16) Boston Celtics:

17) Memphis Grizzlies:

18) Detroit Pistons:

19) Denver Nuggets:

20) Indiana Pacers:

21) Atlanta Hawks:

22) Charlotte Hornets:

23) Utah Jazz (from Boston):

24) Philadelphia 76ers:

25) Los Angeles Clippers:

26) Philadelphia 76ers:

27) Toronto Raptors:

28) Utah Jazz (from Phoenix) :

29) San Antonio Spurs:

30) Golden State Warriors: