New Orleans Pelicans: Aleksej Pokusevski is Draft and Stash Option
Aleksej Pokusevski’s Strengths
If you just looked at Pokusevski’s measurables and skill set, you’d think he was a sure-fire lottery pick in what is considered a weak 2020 NBA Draft.
He is a seven-footer who can step away from the hoop, handle the ball and make plays, which sounds exactly what the New Orleans Pelicans need.
His per-36 numbers in the 2019 U18 Euro Championship were eye-opening, as he averaged 14.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 5.6 assists and an amazing 5.8 blocks.
He also made two 3-pointers per game, a skill he projects to have at the next level.
Pokusevski is crafty with the ball and already a plus-passer, especially for his size. He can pull down rebounds and lead the break and has good decision-making and a high basketball IQ.
In many ways, he fits the stereotypes many hold about foreign bigs in that he can pass, shoot and run the floor, but doesn’t have great athleticism.
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Another of Pokusevski’s strengths is that he will only be 18-years-old at the time of the draft, so the New Orleans Pelicans could stash him for multiple years and he’d still be young when and if he got to the NBA.
Though he only shoots 32.1 percent from long-range, that is on a high-volume of 7.5 three’s per 36 minutes, so Pokusevski projects as a stretch-four who can shoot the NBA three.
He doesn’t have much of a post game, but he is sly around the hoop and can use his length to get around, over and even underneath a defender.
So how does a seven-footer who can shoot three’s, make plays and block shots fall so far in the draft?