New Orleans Pelicans: Top 3 Options for the 13th Pick in 2020 NBA Draft

New Orleans Pelicans draft pick: Precious Achiuwa

#3 Precious Achiuwa, Power Forward- Memphis

One of the Pelicans’ biggest needs is to get better defensively, especially on the wing and in the paint.

They need a legitimate rim protector, a small forward who can guard his position and back up Brandon Ingram, and a power forward with some heart and muscle to come in and compete for minutes with Nicolo Melli.

The Pelicans not only played poorly in the bubble, but they played soft. They couldn’t defend anyone, they got pushed around, out-hustled and out-rebounded.

They need some players who are committed on the defensive end, who can guard multiple positions, who hustle, provide energy and do the little things that contribute to winning basketball.

Precious Achiuwa might be their guy.

He is being mocked anywhere from the top ten to the end of the first round, so like most prospects in this draft, Achiuwa’s potential is disputed.

He is a 6-foot-9 forward with a 7-foot-2 wingspan who profiles as a guy who will defend multiple positions in the NBA.

Achiuwa blocked just under two shots per game for Memphis in his freshman year while scoring 15.8 points and grabbing 10.5 rebounds.

Achiuwa is crafty around the rim and gets his points off effort, rebounds, run outs and putbacks. The Pelicans would never need to run a play for him and Achiuwa would be happy to get his points junkyard dog style.

He also gets over a steal per game, showing that he has quick hands and will get into lanes for deflections.

The Pelicans need a big energetic wing defender who can rebound and Achiuwa projects as one of the best in this draft.