The NBA Draft Lottery Provides Predictable Results, and Infinite Possibilites
2. Trade the pick for additional picks
Another solution would be to move back for a collection of picks. The Denver Nuggets sit in an enviable situation, armed with 3 picks in the first 20, including one directly behind the Pelicans at #7. Could the Pelicans move back one pick in exchange for their 19th or even 15th pick?
Would the Pelicans be willing to move back in exchange for a pick swap with Orlando? Orlando has recently found themselves at odds with big man Nikola Vucevic. Can the two clubs discuss a trade involving the #6 and #11 picks as well as a swap of big men Vucevic and Asik? Or, could the Magic include one of their plethora of young players such as Andrew Nicholson or Elfrid Payton?
Most seductive of all would be a trade with Boston. Not only do the Boston Celtics have the players available to make Pelicans fans curious (Smart, Bradley, Crowder), but the Celtics are equipped with future unprotected picks from the Brooklyn Nets. With a package of their 16th, 23rd, and unprotected Nets pick(s) going forward, the Pelicans could find themselves on the rise quicker than expected.
3. Take the Best Player Available
The likeliest of options is to stand pat, and take the best player available. By staying inside the top six, the Pelicans find themselves right at the back end of the second tier of talent. One of Jamal Murray, Dragon Bender, Buddy Hield, and Kris Dunn will be available to them at pick six after Ben Simmons and Brandon Ingram inevitably are selected as one and two by the 76ers and Lakers, respectively.
The Celtics should choose Bender, and the Timberwolves have to be salivating at the idea of Buddy Hield joining the likes of Andrew Wiggins, Karl-Anthony Towns and Ricky Rubio up in Minnesota.
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That leaves Jamal Murray and Kris Dunn. The Pelicans and Dunn appear to show mutual interest, but getting past the Suns or Timberwolves should prove tricky. Dunn’s skills as a distributor make him an idea fit next to Brandon Knight and Eric Bledsoe in Phoenix, and even more so in Minnesota next to Wiggins and Karl Anthony Towns, should the Wolves fail to get a crack at Buddy.
That leaves Murray to the Pelicans. At a generously reported 6’5 inches, and 195 pounds, Murray has a lot of NBA growing to do. But, his skill set as a spot up shooter can’t be denied. Murray has no problem finding his own shot, and has the stroke to compliment the confidence. He would be a perfect transition from Eric Gordon, could open up the offense, smoothly enter the rotation and light up the Smoothie King Center.
His defense is lacking, but Murray has a drive and an aggressiveness that will only bring out the best in his teammates. It will be up to the coaches on Airline Highway to bring the best out of this young man.
Next: The Pelicans secure the sixth pick
While the NBA Draft Lottery didn’t provide the most exciting of results, the New Orleans Pelicans are still in a position to make a dramatic upgrade to their roster and alleviate the ill done by management in previous seasons. Going forward the Pelicans have every opportunity to make this pick, and bring the winning ways back to the Smoothie King Center.