With the season already a lost cause, fans of the New Orleans Pelicans can find hope in watching some of the top NBA Draft prospects during the NCAA Tournament.
Let’s face it, the New Orleans Pelicans have been tough to watch throughout this season. From injuries, to poor adjustment, to a new system, to just a lack of talent, it’s been hard to have any hope for what could be in New Orleans basketball. However, the sole bright light of the season is approaching before our very eyes: the NCAA Tournament.
For the first time since 2013, the New Orleans Pelicans project to have a significant lottery pick in the next NBA Draft. The Pelicans are currently projected at pick #6 in the NBA Draft, just a game ahead of the Sacramento Kings and three games ahead of the New York Knicks and the Denver Nuggets.
With a mixed schedule ahead, New Orleans could finish in anywhere in the range of 5th to 9th, which means a lottery pick, capable of selecting some of the best players on the planet, is in store.
Along with this is the fact current General Manager Dell Demps has not been shy about making big moves on draft day and could possibly look at getting another first rounder. It’s clear the Pelicans are looking towards the direction of youth and change with decisions such as the acquisition of Bryce Dejean-Jones. Add along the relative weakness of the free agent class this offseason in areas the New Orleans Pelicans need to address, and this draft decision is massive.
A large majority of the best prospects in the draft will be participating in the NCAA Tournament…so, who should New Orleans Pelicans fans be paying attention to the most? What possible picks could bring the Pelicans production where the team needs it most? The first question is in what areas does New Orleans need to improve.
The easiest decisions would be to pick an athletic center to replace underwhelming big Omer Asik or finding a wing that has offensive and defensive potential to be a multi-dimensional player. Both of those areas have some depth in this year’s draft.
While shooting guards and centers are plentiful, the pool of small forwards is weak past the Top-Five picks of Ben Simmons. Brandon Ingram and Jaylen Brown. It’s very likely the Pelicans won’t get a shot at any of those three players, so the focus will stay on athletic bigs and guards with two-way potential.
Next: Option One: Buddy Hield