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

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Jalen Smith has the skills to be the choice for the New Orleans Pelicans NBA Draft (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

New Orleans Pelicans NBA Draft: Jalen Smith could be the choice at #13

Jalen Smith’s Weaknesses

In addition to shot blocking and floor spacing, teams are looking for big men who can make plays for others.

Nikola Jokic has shown that having a playmaking big can be a weapon. Jalen Smith is definitely no Jokic.

He’s not much of a passer, doesn’t handle the ball well and turns it over way too much at the moment.

Smith will have to work on his handles and passing if he wants to be effective in the pick-and-roll or be able to take it to the rim when defenders close out on his 3-point shot.

Although Smith did most of his damage in college from the post, his game lacks refinement and he mostly just used his height and strength to get where he wanted in the lane against smaller defenders, which won’t work in the NBA.

The post game is rapidly disappearing anyway, but Smith still needs to develop a baby hook or some type of post move to keep defenders honest.

But overall Smith’s game translates well to the modern NBA, as he can block shots, run the floor and shoot, but does he fit well on the New Orleans Pelicans?