Step Four: Make the Right Draft Picks
Hold your breath, Pelicans fans! You have a 6% chance at winning the NBA Draft Lottery! The Orlando Magic won in 1993 with only a 1.5% chance, so your odds are exactly four times higher! I’m telling you, there’s a chance! But enough of this so-called “hope.” Let’s get back to reality. The Pelicans are probably going to pick closer to eighth than first, but they also have a 23.5% chance at picking in the top four!
What do the Pelicans need out of this draft? Ultimately, the best player available once they are on the clock is never a bad choice. But they could really use a big man to supplement the departure of Anthony Davis. According to ESPN, Jaxson Hayes is the highest ranked center in the Draft. However, he can’t stretch the floor, which as we know, is not ideal in the modern fold of the league. This would have been an amazing selection in 1997, not 2019.
DeAndre Hunter could be a perfect option. He has an NBA body, can guard multiple positions with his mix of quick feet and strength, and can stretch the floor—a key to today’s game. Complimenting his outside shot, he can also put the ball on the floor and attack the rim and use his size effectively in the post against smaller guards. Is his game polished? Of course not, but the potential is there. If he’s available for New Orleans when they are on the clock, this is a safe pick. A versatile forward is a sought after commodity.
In review, if you didn’t already know this, the New Orleans Pelicans have their work cut out for them. In what could be the most important offseason in franchise history, the right moves have to be made. Let’s hope they are.