New Orleans Pelicans 2015 NBA Draft Profiles: Alpha Kaba

It is that time of year again. With the NBA Draft just a few weeks away it is time to start looking at players that the New Orleans Pelicans can potentially draft. While most of the players that we profile will be second round players since the Pelicans currently only have a second round pick, there will also be a few first round talents mixed in with the bunch as well. Considering the Pelicans are pretty set in the backcourt and at power forward the profiles will focus on wing players that fit into a small forward role and backup big men, places the Pelicans can stand to get a bit better.

Today we take a look at a draft and stash candidate that is starting to climb up more and more draft boards due less to what he is about now and more about what he could potentially be later. Alpha Kaba has combined an incredible name with incredible physical tools to draw the attention of NBA GMs. While it remains to be seen for sure if Kaba stays in the draft he could very well be a player the Pelicans pick if they want to not waste their second round pick and still not add a player to the roster this season.

The Basics:

Age: 19

Height (with shoes): 6’10”

Weight: 226

Wingspan: 7’5.25”

Standing Reach: 9’2.5”

Max Vertical: 30

2014-2015 stats: Only played in eight games this season for his team in France and just 3.9 minutes per game.

Draft projections: Mid-to-late second round and rising.

Strengths:

The tough thing with Kaba right now is that his strengths aren’t really anything that has been seen on the court. While he showed a bit recently at the Adidas Eurocamp, Kaba didn’t play much this season for his French team which means there is a very small sample size of him in action.

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That said the measurements give the reasons that teams are starting to get intrigued by Kaba. With a 7’5” wingspan and a good amount of athleticism, Kaba could develop into a devastating rim protector, something he showed flashes of at Eurocamp. Kaba has also flashed a mid-range jumper in workouts and a bit during the camp but he will be drafted as someone that hopefully turns into a defensive force and a finsher, anything else is just extra.

Weaknesses:

There is a reason that Kaba is still projected as a second round pick and isn’t a sure thing to ever become an NBA player. Like many prospects that don’t start playing basketball until later in life (Kaba started at 13), Kaba is an incredibly raw prospect. Kaba has a ton to learn about the game still and it showed at moments during the minicamp as DraftExpress reported he looked lost at times. Kaba also struggles at times with intensity and like many players new to the game of basketball can see the skills he has waver during games.

The other weakness that Kaba has is the team he plays with in France. Considering that he needs to play to grow another season of such limited minutes could really hurt Kaba. That said no NBA team is going to want him taking up a roster spot this season meaning he has to either find a way to a new team or the team he is currently on needs to start playing him more, neither of which are guaranteed to happen. While all the gifts look exciting the probability is Kaba never turns into an NBA player if his career continues next season the way it went this year.

Projected Role: If things all work out for Kaba my feeling is a Timofey Mozgov type of role would be the ceiling. If Kaba can turn into that type of rim protector and finisher and add in a few mid-range jumpers he would be a steal with a second round pick.

Information from this post, including measurements, came from DraftExpress.

Next: Dakari Johnson is another potential big man prospect for the Pelicans

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