Mock Draft With Trades: The New Orleans Pelicans Move Up
2020 NBA Mock Draft with Trades: #9- Washington Wizards
9. Pick Analysis. New Orleans Pelicans. Devin Vassell. Small Forward. player. 69. Scouting Report
In this trade the New Orleans Pelicans trade from their surplus of guards to potentially get the best wing in the draft.
The Pelicans need help on the wing, as they really have no one behind Brandon Ingram, so if they could grab a 3-and-D wing like Vassell, they’d have to consider moving on from Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
As for the Wizards, there is no telling what they are thinking, as they might consider themselves contenders in the East after John Wall returns. They still have Bradley Beal and up and coming forward Rui Hachimura, but NAW would give them some insurance against a Beal trade.
If the Wizards aren’t excited about any of the players they can get at nine, then they would be smart to trade down, grab an asset and still get a young player at 13.
This would be somewhat risky for the Pelicans, but giving up NAW isn’t going to kill them in either the short or long term. Is he enough of a piece to move up four positions in the draft? If so, the Pelicans would have to at least consider doing it, as they need wings and Vassell is a good one.
Of course, the Pelicans may feel they can get a wing at 13 anyway without giving up an asset and they may be right. This would be a calculated, low-risk move for the Pelicans.