New Orleans Pelicans: Two 2nd Round Projects from U of Illinois
The New Orleans Pelicans have three picks in the second round of the 2020 NBA draft, which means they can take a risk on raw players with upside.
The New Orleans Pelicans are in an enviable position in this year’s NBA draft. With a ton of young talent already on the roster, they can draft for potential rather than need.
This is especially true in the second round, when the Pelicans will have three picks and can shoot for some low-floor, high-ceiling players to develop.
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The New Orleans Pelicans currently have the 39th, 42nd and 60th picks in the second round of the 2020 NBA Draft.
It is highly unlikely that any of these picks will make the roster, but with the G-League starting to flourish and more teams using it effectively, the Pelicans can stash these guys until they are ready.
The Toronto Raptors have done this brilliantly, developing players like Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet on their G-League team. Players that helped them win a title.
The G-League is no longer career suicide for players and more teams will be using it after what Toronto has done.
This is going to be the craziest NBA draft of all time, as teams have had less chance to scout players after the cancellation of March Madness.
This draft has so many unknowns that it is just as likely that the best player will be drafted from outside the top-ten as from within it.
With far less time to scout players, there are going to be a lot of busts, but also chances for teams to grab guys that have dropped because no one has seen them play.
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The New Orleans Pelicans will have a real chance to pick a developmental project in the second round that may eventually make an impact on an NBA roster.
With no glaring holes and a ton of youth, the Pelicans can use the second round like their own lottery, choosing players with high upside to develop.
Here are two players from the University of Illinois who may fit that description. Both have intriguing skills and glaring flaws, but could be nice players if it all comes together.