New Orleans Pelicans NBA Draft: Finding the next Fred VanVleet
The New Orleans Pelicans could get the best scorer in the country in the 2nd round of the NBA Draft.
One of the narratives of the offseason is that the New Orleans Pelicans need to get bigger, but size isn’t everything, just ask Fred VanVleet.
The 6-foot VanVleet was completely overlooked as a senior coming out of Wichita State, partially because of his age and partially because of his size.
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VanVleet was eventually invited to the Raptor’s Summer League team and the rest is history. He not only made the roster but became a vital part of a championship team in Toronto.
Now VanVleet is one of the NBA’s best guards, a solid defender who averages 17.6 points. 6.6 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game.
VanVleet is showing us that height isn’t everything, especially if you are a smart player with strength who knows how to get buckets and defend.
The next great overlooked player may be coming out of the 2020 NBA Draft.
Markus Howard is the country’s leading scorer, but you probably won’t find his name in any mock drafts. Like VanVleet, Howard is undersized at 5-foot-11, but he also has a strong frame, a high basketball I.Q. and the ability to get buckets.
The four-year senior will probably never be the defender or passer that VanVleet is, but the guy can flat out score, which is why someone is going to get a gem when they draft him in the second round.
Will that team be the New Orleans Pelicans?
There is a lot to like about Markus Howard as a backup point guard, and the Pels should give him a long look if he is available with one of their second-round picks.