New Orleans Pelicans 2020 NBA Draft Profile: Devin Vassell

How Devin Vassell fits on the Pelicans

The New Orleans Pelicans can score, of that, there is no doubt.

They ranked 5th in the NBA in points per game before the suspension of play, averaging 116.2 points and playing at a scorching pace.

The problem is that the New Orleans Pelicans can’t stop anyone.

The Pelicans were 20th in overall defensive rating, including 24th on second chance points allowed and 28th on opponents fast break points, points in the paint and points off turnovers.

The New Orleans Pelicans are giving up way too many easy buckets and a guy like Vassell could help that.

Not only can he help bolster the perimeter defense, but his rebounding should stop teams from getting so many second chance and fast break points.

The New Orleans Pelicans are also terrible at defending the pick-and-roll even though they have two plus-perimeter defenders in Jrue Holiday and Lonzo Ball.

Vassell has the size to go over screens and defend either guards or forwards, so could develop into an effective pick-and-roll defender at the next level.

He could come off the bench and give the New Orleans Pelicans some scoring punch and defensive identity or run with the first unit and focus on being an elite defender.

Either way, there is plenty to like about Vassell on the New Orleans Pelicans and he will be a guy that they will take a long look at prior to the 2020 NBA Draft.

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