Josh Green is a 3-and-D Project to Replace Jrue Holiday on the New Orleans Pelicans

Josh Green’s Fit Within the New Orleans Pelicans

Many fans will read this and think that Nickeil Alexander-Walker is the ideal replacement for Jrue Holiday, and they’re not wrong, at least in the short-term.

If the New Orleans Pelicans were to draft Green he would be hard pressed for playing time behind NAW and Josh Hart with the reserves.

But Green’s ability to defend small, quick guards and big, strong wings is an absolute necessity for any NBA team trying to compete. Miami giving up good young players in trading for Andre Iguodala just for the playoffs is the most obvious example of this.

Green could fit as a complementary player to Zion, Lonzo and Brandon Ingram on offense, spotting up in the corner, then as a defensive clamp on the other end.

This is similar to how the Philadelphia 76er’s used Matisse Thybulle this season. By doing this the New Orleans Pelicans could cover up Brandon Ingram on the defensive end and let him spend most of his energy on offense.

Another option could play off a piece posted here recently and starting Jrue Holiday on the bench. This would open a starting spot for NAW, Josh Hart or Green.

By having one of those three start the game, the Pelicans would be giving them playing time with four-fifths of the best starting lineup in the NBA without having the pressure of being “the guy” thrust onto their shoulders.

If Holiday were moved to the bench and became the point guard of the reserves, he would need a running mate who could knock down the open shot and move the ball.

The New Orleans Pelicans should follow the example the Oklahoma City Thunder set when closing games with their three point guard lineup.

The Pelicans could run out Lonzo, Jrue, Green, Ingram and Zion and this lineup would be fast, and capable of getting out in transition and blowing past opponents.

By playing Green at the small forward in this lineup they would have three lockdown point of attack defenders to stop dribble penetration and Zion to swat shots into the seventh row if anyone gets through.

If the New Orleans Pelicans do indeed take Josh Green with their first round pick, it will be a move with eyes more toward the future than the present but a move that could pay major dividends down the road.