New Orleans Pelicans: Best Draft Fit at Each Position

The New Orleans Pelicans have nearly endless options when it comes to the draft, so we took a look at the best potential fit at each position.

The New Orleans Pelicans are in an enviable position in the 2020 NBA draft.

With no glaring holes, and a ton of young talent and assets, the Pelicans could take a positional need, swing for the fences on upside or even trade up to get the first pick in the draft.

The Pelicans do have a few needs depending on what happens in free agency. If they allow Derrick Favors to walk, they will need one, maybe two centers, preferably ones that can either stretch the floor or protect the rim.

They will likely need a backup point guard depending on how they feel about pending restricted free agent Frank Jackson.

Another weakness is wing defense, so the Pelicans could use a 3-and-D type who can guard bigger wings and knock down an occasional open jumper.

They will certainly fill some of these needs through free agency and possibly trades, but with four picks in the upcoming draft, the Pelicans could potentially plug some young talent into these spots.

Here are the best fits for the New Orleans Pelicans at each position. We eliminated players who are unlikely to be available when the Pels choose at 12 or 13, so you won’t see guys like LaMelo Ball, even though we’d love nothing more than to see him play along his brother Lonzo.

Let’s start with the weakest position in the draft, center.

There really isn’t a center in the Pelicans’ draft range that suits them.

Center is probably the weakest position in the draft, as there is a big fall-off from James Wiseman, who will likely be gone before the Pelicans pick, and the next guy.

Vernon Carey Jr. is a 19-year-old center out of Duke, and though he isn’t exactly what the Pelicans need, he would still potentially be a good fit.

Carey Jr. has some deficiencies; he doesn’t have elite athleticism, speed or jumping ability. Carey Jr. is a bit of a throwback, a center with a back-to-the-basket post game that is rapidly going extinct in the NBA.

He doesn’t run the floor particularly well, and may not fit in some of the Pelicans’ faster paced lineups.

But, Carey Jr. also does a few things exceptionally well. He is strong in the post and has an array of moves already. He has flashed a good mid-range jumper and projects as a guy who can probably step out and hit 3-pointers at some point in his career.

His offensive skills are reminiscent of a lesser Karl-Anthony Towns, and at some point, he will be great in the pick-and-roll with someone, and could be the type of stretch-five the Pelicans seek.

He is a good rim protector, a willing rebounder and could potentially carry the second unit when their long-range shots aren’t falling.

Vernon Carey Jr. is not a perfect fit, but he could easily fill the Jahlil Okafor role and is a better defender than Okafor already.

The Pelicans would be unlikely to take him with their lottery pick, but if he is still there in the second round, Carey Jr. would provide some security against the potential departure of Favors.