New Orleans Pelicans: Aaron Nesmith Could be Redick’s Replacement

How Aaron Nesmith Fits on the Pelicans

Every team in the NBA is looking for elite 3-point shooting, so there is no question that Nesmith will find a home.

The New Orleans Pelicans are especially in need of guys who can spread the floor, as they have a dominant post player in Zion Williamson who needs space to operate.

As Zion continues to improve his handles and passing, the Pelicans will try to surround him with guys who can knock down the wide-open looks they are sure to get off his double teams.

Zion can turn into one of the best passing big men in the league, but he needs to be surrounded by shooters like Nesmith.

If the New Orleans Pelicans decide to let J.J. Redick play out his contract, then Nesmith would be mentored by one of the best shooters in league history.

Redick also lacked elite athleticism coming out of college, and would be the perfect guy to teach Nesmith how to run off screens and find ways to make space for his shot.

If the Pelicans were able to retain Redick on a shorter, smaller deal, Nesmith could eventually start to share and take his minutes as one great shooter gets phased out for another.

We are certainly not trying to run Redick out of town, as he would be the perfect mentor to Nesmith and still has a lot of value to this team as a bench scorer and veteran leader. Plus, we love his podcast.

There are plenty of NBA teams who wish they could go back and draft Thompson in 2011, as he has evolved into a top-five shooting guard in the league.

Nesmith has similar ability and height, and while it’s a stretch to say he could be one of the greatest NBA shooters of all-time as Thompson is, the New Orleans Pelicans don’t want to look back at this draft and regret passing on a guy with this type of ability.

If Nesmith is available when the Pelicans pick, they might have their eventual replacement for Redick and who knows, maybe the next Klay Thompson.

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