Pelica Debrief
Fansided

Potential Second Round Draft Prospects New Orleans Should Consider

ByChristopher Dodson|
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JUNE 22: New Orleans Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry holds up a jersey after Pelicans Executive Vice President Mickey Loomis and Senior Vice President of Basketball Operations/General Manager Dell Demps made the official announcement that Gentry would be the Pelicans new head coach on June 22, 2015 at the New Orleans Practice Facility in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JUNE 22: New Orleans Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry holds up a jersey after Pelicans Executive Vice President Mickey Loomis and Senior Vice President of Basketball Operations/General Manager Dell Demps made the official announcement that Gentry would be the Pelicans new head coach on June 22, 2015 at the New Orleans Practice Facility in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images
2 of 3

P.J. Washington

19-years-old

Kentucky 

Forward

6’7’’ 230 lbs

10.8 ppg 5.7 rpg 51.9% fg

Adding another Kentucky alum to the roster would not hurt chemistry. Coach Cal would probably be willing to let Anthony Davis and Rajon Rondo know if there were any issues to add to a scouting report. Washington can finish around the rim and hit a floater from several feet. The forward has a 7’3’’ wingspan and can jump. He could be a budget mix of Deandre Jordan and Draymond Green with his rim rolling and athletic defense.

Without a first round guarantee, Washington claims he will return to school. However, it is likely Coach Cal points to his incoming class and the minutes that will need to be shared. Washington has little to gain going back to school and could sign a decent contract as a 2nd round pick.

Washington’s father recently told the Louisville Courier-Journal his son will require surgery on his finger, but will continue to meet and work out for teams through the combine process. He also echoed his son’s statement about needing a first round promise.

"“It’s real simple — if he’s guaranteed a first round pick, then he’ll stay in the draft,” Paul said. “If he doesn’t get that, we’ll have to make a decision. It’s PJ’s decision. Now, if he doesn’t get a first-round guarantee and a team says he’ll be an early second round pick, then PJ might say he wants to do that. That’s his decision as well. But the easiest thing is if he gets a guarantee in writing that he’ll go in the first round.”"

With several prospects ahead of him and so many already committed to Kentucy, Washington is feeling the squeeze. Perhaps that is why he is playing through the finger injury.

It also helps with team’s evaluating player versus player match-ups.

Adding a player on the fringe of all his options would be great for the Pelicans. Washington could find some minutes that higher paid filler types played last season. He would be looking to prove himself on a team looking to do the same. The 19-year-old could also sign a deal that allowed him to bet on himself for a bigger payday quicker than some first round picks.