NBA Draft 2016: Predicting Biggest Winners in 1st-Round Mock Draft

When it comes to the two rounds of the NBA draft, teams can go with any number of strategies or philosophies.

Some teams take calculated risks based on athleticism or intangibles, while others have no problem stashing players overseas, a sort of rainy-day fund for basketball talent. There’s also the ever-present struggle of balancing team need versus pure talent.

Of course, most teams are hoping they hit the jackpot with their first-round choices.

Whether it’s a lowly team snagging a can’t-miss lottery pick, a prospect who gets to instantly gun for a starting spot or a player who looks perfect for a certain team’s scheme, some draft choices just smack of destiny.

With the NBA Draft Combine still ongoing, here’s a first-round mock draft and a look at a couple of picks that could prove instantly fortuitous for both player and team.

Jamal Murray, SG, Kentucky

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Obviously, Ben Simmons and Brandon Ingram will be winners. They are almost certain to be the top two picks in the draft no matter which teams end up with those spots. It’s easy to call them winners, so let’s move down a few spots for the first player who could be in an extremely good situation come draft day.

If the Minnesota Timberwolves draft Kentucky sharpshooter Jamal Murray, they will have added the deadly outside presence they need to flesh out the young core that features Andrew Wiggins, Zach LaVine and Karl-Anthony Towns.

Take it away, CBS Sports’ Sam Vecenie:

Murray, simply put, represents the perfect fit for the Timberwolves. He’s the best possible fit in between Ricky Rubio and Andrew Wiggins due to superb shooting ability, skill attacking closeouts, and potential to occasionally run the point while Rubio plays off ball as he does a tremendous job cutting away from the ball. The two of them could also help him defensively, as they are both quite good on that end and could limit the damage he provides on that end. Finally, having him in the lineup could allow Zach LaVine to play more as an offensive creator off the bench, something the team could use. It’s a nice pickup here.

Murray could provide big minutes for a young …

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