The NBA Draft Lottery Provides Predictable Results, and Infinite Possibilites
After a predictable conclusion to the NBA Draft Lottery last night, the New Orleans Pelicans find themselves right where they started.
The NBA Draft ping pong balls have spoken, and the New Orleans Pelicans are who we thought they were.
The sixth worst performance in the NBA last year yielded them the highest probability (43.9 percent) of the sixth selection in the draft, and that’s what they got.
Some will curse the sky for prayers unanswered, and some will sigh a sense of relief. After all, the Pelicans had a higher chance of dropping down in the draft (34.6 percent) then ascending to the top 3 (21.5 percent).
The basketball gods have done their part, and have guaranteed the Pelicans a shot at the second highest tier of players available including Dragon Bender, Buddy Hield, Jamal Murray and Kris Dunn.
Now that the excitement has died down, and we can safely pack away our blood pressure monitors, let’s take a look at some very real possibilities the Pelicans may explore before, or on June 23rd.
1. Trade the pick attached to a contract
Dell Demps‘s history with first round picks in New Orleans is well documented. With his job now in jeopardy, it can be assumed he will not seek to trade the pick unless he brings back a bounty. His carelessness or disregard for them in the past will keep his hand from grasping that sidearm. Or will it?
Trading Omer Asik should now be Demps’s first priority. Asik’s absurd contract could create great damage and stress for the Pelicans in the future. After all, he’s still on the books for another four years and $45 million. Having a pick in the top-10 presents a rare opportunity. Move back even a few spots, and the Pelicans can rid themselves of a player who not only crushes the books going forward, but has made himself unplayable in Alvin Gentry’s run and gun system.
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Trading Tyreke Evans along with the Pelicans’ sixth pick is equally interesting. Not only would the Pelicans clear the remaining two years and $21 million from his contract, but they could package the two of them for an interesting player who may or may not be on his own way out.
Tyreke has become a fan favorite in New Orleans. His blue collar approach to getting to the basket afforded the Pelicans a fairy tale run two seasons ago, even in Anthony Davis‘s absence. With the ball in his hands, Tyreke has proven himself a solid creator and distributor, and yet he may also find himself at odds in Gentry’s system. Gentry relies on quick ball movement and positive shooting to run his sets, and Tyreke’s ball stopping, charge and toss game may not be a match.
Tyreke was open with his concerns last season about adhering to a new system:
"“I started to look to pass first…that’s when it kind of went south on me, instead of just doing what I do, and that’s attack and if I see somebody open, find them. My mindset (tonight) was just pass first, but that isn’t the way I play. I play attack first, and if somebody’s open I find them. I just got to do a better job with that.”"
While the Pelicans can still salvage a positive future with Tyreke going forward, finding a way to deal him may be in the best interest of both parties if the situation presents itself.
Next: Two more possibilities