New Orleans Pelicans Draft Profile: Defensive Wing Precious Achiuwa

How Precious Achiuwa fits on the New Orleans Pelicans

If you want to know how Achiuwa fits on the Pelicans, you just have to take a look at some of their defensive numbers.

Here’s a breakdown of where the New Orleans Pelicans stand in important defensive categories:

-Defensive Rating: 20th

-Steals: 18th

-Opponents’ 2nd Chance Points: 24th

-Opponents’ Fast Break Points: 28th

-Opponents’ Points in the Paint: 28th

The New Orleans Pelicans also ranked at the middle or near the bottom of the league in defense against both forward positions, and considering they play in the Western Conference, which has most of the NBA’s best wings, that is a problem.

Achiuwa has an obvious fit as a guy who can improve nearly all of these numbers, as he can guard both forward positions, use his length to get steals and shut down the paint, while grabbing rebounds on both ends of the floor.

Achiuwa would be the best wing defender on the Pelicans in his very first season and would patch some of the holes they have on that end.

The question is whether his defensive prowess will be enough for the New Orleans Pelicans to overlook his lack of offensive game.

Recent history has shown that guys who can play D at a high level can improve their shooting over time. Players like Jae Crowder come to mind.

If the Pelicans think Achiuwa could be the defensive stopper they need at the wing, they can have patience as he develops the three half of the 3-and-D equation.

He’s an interesting prospect that the Pelicans will take a hard look at if he is still on the board when they pick in the first round.

Thanks for sticking with us during the hiatus as we continue to bring you coverage of the New Orleans Pelicans and stay safe out there!