New Orleans Pelicans: A late 2nd Round NBA Draft Pick with star potential

New Orleans Pelicans: Kahlil Whitney could be the next Bam Adebayo

Kahlil Whitney’s fit on the Pelicans

Every team is looking for long wings who can run the floor, rebound and defend multiple positions.

The Pelicans already have plenty of scoring and ball-dominant players, but what they need are gritty wings who can defend and don’t care about getting the ball.

Whitney could be one of these long defenders who gets most of his shots at the rim on putbacks and fast breaks.

In college, Whitney was expected to do it all as a five-star recruit, but in the NBA, his role will be more niche, as teams won’t ask him to fill it up on the offensive end, but to just defend with intensity.

There is some question about Whitney’s motor and his attitude will need some adjusting, as he needs to humble himself, put in the work and find a role for himself if he wants to make the NBA.

If the Pelicans could get him in the late second round, they’d be taking a modest risk on a guy with first-round potential, who happens to fill a role they will need moving forward.

If the Pelicans want to build around Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, two potentially elite offensive players who aren’t great defensively, then they will need to surround them with long defenders who can cover multiple spots.

Whitney may not ever put it all together, but he has the profile and potential to be an elite defender that the Pelicans could get for nothing, which is well worth the risk.