2020 NBA Draft: How Jalen Smith fits with the New Orleans Pelicans

The New Orleans Pelicans could go with an athletic big like Jalen Smith in the NBA Draft.

It’s difficult to predict what the New Orleans Pelicans will do in the 2020 NBA Draft.

They are still in the midst of a coaching search, but the NBA Draft is coming in just over a month, so the Pelicans have a lot to do over the next few weeks.

The search for a coach has been top secret, as has the Pelicans’ preference in the draft, where they could try to nab a big wing, a center or even a point guard if the right guy falls.

The Pelicans need quality depth at nearly every position, especially on the defensive end of the floor, where they were 20th in the NBA this season.

Derrick Favors is a free agent and is unlikely to return unless it is on a veteran’s minimum deal, and with Jaxson Hayes as the only center on the roster, it makes sense that the Pelicans would either draft a big man or try to find one in free agency or a trade.

This draft has some intriguing big man prospects that represent the ways in which the position is changing, as most of them do not fall into the category of traditional centers.

One such player is Jalen Smith from Maryland, a center/power forward who can do a little bit of everything, including many of the things the Pelicans need out of a big man.

Let’s take a look at Jalen Smith’s strengths and weaknesses and how he might fit on the New Orleans Pelicans.