5 NBA Draft targets for Pelicans if high pick comes via Anthony Davis trade
By Cody Taylor
Jarrett Culver, G, Texas Tech
The star of the Texas Tech Red Raiders could become a strong 2 guard in the NBA with plenty of room to grow in the backcourt with Jrue Holiday. The leader of the Texas Tech team that lost to Virginia in overtime in the national championship game would be able to come in and show his ability to be the voice of this young core sooner rather than later.
His 18/6/3 stat line on 46.1% shooting would be complimentary with Holiday who posted 21/5/7 himself on 47.2% shooting. Culver proved on the national stage his ability to lead a team, given that he and his team were able to overcome the Big 12 powers; Kansas and Baylor. His shooting ability will only improve over time, and learning with Jrue in a starting role will take some initial pressure off of Zion as well.
This gets a little tricky, because Jrue Holiday prefers to mainly play off the ball as a 2, which is also Culver’s natural position. However, if Alvin Gentry could figure out the proper way to balance Jrue’s desires with Culver’s skillset, this is another player that could lead to many benefits for the team. To draft Culver, the Pelicans would likely need to pry to #4 pick away from the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Davis.