NBA Draft 2020 Mock Draft 1.0: The New Orleans Pelicans Can Try for Homerun
Scouting Report. R.J. Hampton. 13. player. 69. Pick Analysis. Point Guard / NZ Breakers. New Orleans Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans are in the best position of just about any team in the draft. With young talent like Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, Lonzo Ball and Jaxson Hayes already on the team, the New Orleans Pelicans can do whatever they want.
The Pelicans do not have a glaring weakness anywhere in the lineup, so they can take a risk in this draft and go for a high ceiling player, or they can try to add a more proven commodity to an already loaded young roster.
That being said, the New Orleans Pelicans would be happy if a player like R.J. Hampton fell into their lap.
Hampton has been up and down for the New Zealand Breakers and has dealt with some injuries, but has flashed enough high-impact talent to keep teams interested.
With no great positional need, the New Orleans Pelicans need to take the best talent left on the board, and Hampton is likely it.
He’s not quite mentally ready to take over a team at point guard, and the New Orleans Pelicans already have a really good floor leader in Ball, but Hampton would fit in well running the second unit.
The New Orleans Pelicans are high on youngster Nickeil Alexander-Walker but he was recently assigned to the G-League after not seeing much action.
Like Alexander-Walker, Hampton projects as a long-term project and would ultimately give the New Orleans Pelicans even more assets if they wanted to make a big splash in the trade market.
The Pelicans have a treasure trove of young talent and picks, but eventually something will have to give as not all of these young guys can play at once.
The New Orleans Pelicans are in the enviable position of being able to do whatever they want in the draft, so they will likely just take who they feel is most talented.
If other teams come knocking (and they might if Hampton is still on the board) then the New Orleans Pelicans can possibly make a trade for a veteran that can help them win now.
It’s a good spot to be in and it wouldn’t be surprising to see the New Orleans Pelicans do some wheeling and dealing on draft day.