New Orleans Pelicans: Draft Lottery roundtable

Question two: We’ve done a lot of mining through those same prospects here at Pelican Debrief. Who do you like the best around the middle of the lottery for this team at this stage in the team-building process?

Stone: Well, what are we talking about? The best player in the non-top two lottery or the bet fit for the Pelicans? If we’re talking the best player as a whole, I’d go Kris Dunn. His game seems to translate the best to the NBA level right out of college. Even if the Pelicans draft another guard in their crowded backcourt, they’re gonna get a kid that has the right skill set and playmaking to groom into an All-Star caliber baller. Now, if we’re talking fit for the New Orleans Pelicans, change the answer to Buddy Hield. He checks off big areas the team needs. He can score. A LOT. He has the physical tools to become a great defender and run up and down the court all game. He has the experience to make a difference right out of the draft, something the playoff-hungry Pels can use. Him fitting along Anthony Davis, Jrue Holiday and Alvin Gentry would be a solid, worthwhile pick.

Kleen: The consensus seems to be that the Pelicans need to replace Eric Gordon. The guys I mentioned above can all, to some degree, do so. While I’m not sure about the extent to which Gordon actually needs immediate replacing based on the unlikeliness that the squad competes for a title in the near future, I’ll concede that it’s probably the best use of this year’s pick based on where they are in the order. All of the being said, I like Jamal Murray so, so much. More than Gordon or anyone else on the roster outside of Anthony Davis, he has the tools to be an offense unto himself. Immediately, he will space the floor and attack in transition. Long term, he could add some ballhandling and make a difference defensively. Sorry, I’m drooling.  

More from Pelicans News

• How will the Pelicans round out rotation without Trey Murphy III
• Why you can’t blame Brandon Ingram for all Team USA’s failures
• New Orleans Pelicans avoid potential disaster with latest injury reports
• 3 New Orleans Pelicans whose role will increase next season
• Pelicans getting the fans involved with their upcoming festival

Ellis:  From a needs standpoint, most fans are wishing this draft was loaded with small forwards.  It seems half a decade since we’ve had a decent one (Ariza).  Most pundits are out on Jaylen Brown and his stock seems to be sliding.  But regardless of where he ends up, I really like Jamal Murray for the Pelicans.  He has a lot of room to grow, but still an exquisite looking shooting stroke, an aggressiveness the Pelicans sorely need on the wing, and a pick and pop game that will prove very effective between the three point line and the basket.  He can work off screens, and is a knock down spot up shooter.  Aside from Ingram and Simmons, I think he has to have the highest value on the Pellies board.  

Callais: If I had my way and he was available, I’d go Hield all the way. I think he could be our Alpha Dog/”Draymond” type in that he will absolutely refuse to lose a game and not be afraid to get physical when in times of need. He can be an enforcer with guards getting handsy with Holiday or just players who require that level of attention in general (coughWestbrookcough). He’d be an ideal replacement for Eric Gordon (regardless of Tyreke’s role) and he’d be a solid SG on a rookie contract, allowing us to pursue a Barnes or Batum in free agency.

But again, that is if I had my way.

LaRocca: To be quite frank, the Pelicans have so many pressing needs that it is possible to find a fit for any of the top prospects. With that being said however, the biggest issues for this team in recent years has been defense and wing play, making Jaylen Brown the guy for me. Alvin Gentry in his post season press confrence stressed the need of finding an athletic playmaking forward, a role Brown played in at Cal. Brown has freakish athletisism to go along with playmaking skills which making him an ideal fit in Alvin Gentry’s offense. His shooting stroke is without a doubt bad but with how young he is, it is not unreasonable to believe he will improve. Now, Brown will likely be really limited offensviely and despite maybe a few highlight plays it will be unfair to expect much. Defensvily is where Jaylen Brown excites me the most, his ability to guard multiple postions and switch onto nearly anyone due to his superb lateral quickness and uncanny jumping ability make him an ideal fit next to Anthony Davis. Versatile players are the new wave in the NBA and outside of the consensus top 2 there might not be a more versatile player in the draft than Jaylen Brown.

Heck: I’m pretty high on Jamal Murray and Jaylen Brown. Talking myself into either one ahead of the other isn’t too difficult. Jaylen Brown represents what the Pelicans lack, a young, athletic wing with mountains of upside, and Jamal Murray checks in as the potential scoring punch at the shooting guard position this team yearns for. Outside of those two, I think Buddy Hield could be a decent option if the team is looking to make a push this season, but I’m very skeptical about Kris Dunn’s fit on the roster with both Tyreke Evans and Jrue Holiday likely returning next season.

Next: Who is calling the shots?