John Calipari Says Jamal Murray Should Be No. 1 Pick in 2016 NBA Draft

Many see LSU’s Ben Simmons or Duke’s Brandon Ingram as the eventual No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NBA draft on June 23, but Kentucky Wildcats head basketball coach John Calipari thinks the Philadelphia 76ers should look at his program.  

Calipari called Kentucky guard Jamal Murray “the safe No. 1” on ESPNU's College Basketball podcast (h/t Andy Katz of ESPN.com) and suggested, “If you’re going to take the No. 1 pick, you probably should do it from our program.”

Karl-Anthony Towns was the No. 1 pick in last year’s draft after playing for Calipari, and the Minnesota Timberwolves big man won the Rookie of the Year. What’s more, Chicago Bulls guard and former No. 1 overall pick Derrick Rose won the Rookie of the Year in 2008-09 and NBA MVP in 2010-11 after playing for Calipari at Memphis.

Calipari pointed to more than his own successful history with No. 1 picks as reasoning. He said Murray “can stretch the defense, play off the ball, and the NBA is going positionless. He can flat-out shoot the ball and is physically ready.”

Calipari’s comments came after 76ers vice president of player personnel Marc Eversley said, per Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer: “Murray, we certainly got a chance to see him a couple of weeks ago. He’s certainly going to be one of those kids who’s going to be in contention for the No. 1 pick.” Based on Eversley's comments, it is not out of the question that Philadelphia could take the Kentucky guard.

Murray’s shooting ability immediately stands out when discussing his potential value to the 76ers or any other NBA team. He was not shy behind the three-point line during his one season at Kentucky and attempted 7.7 shots from long range per night. Even with the high volume, he was efficient at 40.8 percent from downtown and led the Wildcats with 20 points a game.

The 6’5” Murray was also a valuable rebounder for Kentucky and finished fourth on the team at 5.2 boards per game.

Calipari pointed to that versatility and shooting ability when discussing the playmaker and arguing why he should go over Simmons and Ingram:

"

What does Philadelphia need more than anything else? Someone to make shots and guard play. I am biased. I want my guy. But he can play multiple positions, he can physically step in and play right away. He can play the point. He can score in bunches. You watch Golden State. Who really is their point guard? Whoever has it.

"

The defending champion Golden State Warriors are an apt example for the type of impact Murray can have because they rely on ball movement and more than just straight spot-up shots when lining up threes.

Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress said Murray was lethal away from the ball and coming off screens in the Kentucky offense and connected on 56 percent of his shots running off picks. Givony specifically highlighted Murray’s ability to move without the ball and connect on shots with a “quick and smooth motion” while maintaining overall balance.

As Calipari said, Philadelphia could use someone like that on a roster that features big men Jahlil Okafor, Nerlens Noel and Joel Embiid (all of whom are 22 years old or younger). Noel and Okafor have been subject of trade rumors this offseason as the 76ers look to build a more complete roster, but drafting Murray would give them a guard to join the big men.

Taking the 6’10” Simmons would add even more young size to a frontcourt that could already have a logjam next season.

Despite Calipari’s opinion of his own player and the potential fit on paper with Murray and the big men already on the Philadelphia roster, DraftExpress had the 76ers taking Simmons No. 1 and the Los Angeles Lakers taking Ingram No. 2 in its mock draft updated Tuesday.