New Orleans Pelicans: 2020 Second Round Mock Draft

New Orleans Pelicans Mock Draft- The 39th Pick

Paul Reed falls into the category of players the New Orleans Pelicans might select in the second round. As a junior at DePaul, Reed is one of the older and more experienced players in the draft, and though his ceiling is not as high as others, he may be able to contribute right away.

Reed may not fall to the second round and has been mocked anywhere from top-15 to the middle of the second.

Reed averaged 15.1 points, 10.7 rebounds, 2.6 blocks and 1.9 steals per game for DePaul and projects as a guy who would be focused on rebounding and defense at the next level, but who could eventually develop into a stretch-four.

Reed has a decent face-up game, though he shot just 30.8 percent from 3-point range. He is an energy guy with a high motor who will run the floor, play hard and grab rebounds.

If Reed can stick in the NBA it will be because of his defensive versatility. He has the potential to be a lockdown defender at multiple positions.

How Reed fits on the New Orleans Pelicans

The Pelicans need a stopper on the wing, an energy guy who doesn’t need the ball in his hands and will do all of the little things that don’t get the headlines.

Reed could be that guy. Reed improved dramatically every season he was at DePaul, going from a guy who started one game as a freshman to the best player on the team.

Reed has a great work ethic by all accounts and will accept whatever role the New Orleans Pelicans assign him, whether it is guarding the other team’s best wing or setting hard screens.

The Pelicans need some guys with grit, energy guys who dive on the floor and play scrappy defense.

If Reed can improve his long-range shot to league average, he could be the type of 3-and-D wing the Pelicans need and at 21 years old (at draft time) Reed already has an NBA frame and some experience.

If he’s there, Paul Reed will be hard for the New Orleans Pelicans to pass up.