New Orleans Pelicans NBA Draft: A 5-star talent in the 2nd round

The New Orleans Pelicans might be able to find 5-star talent in the 2nd round of the NBA Draft.

The New Orleans Pelicans have three second-round picks in the 2020 NBA Draft and could use them in a number of ways.

They could package all three into a trade, possibly to move up to the late first round or earlier in the second if they see a guy they like has fallen.

They could just use all three to take chances on high ceiling/low floor prospects that might have gone overlooked for whatever reason.

Another strategy is to identify players who might have one NBA-level skill that can be developed and turned into an asset.

One place to look for such players is the University of Kentucky, whose entire starting lineup declared for the NBA Draft.

Only one of them, Tyrese Maxey, is expected to go in the first round, but we know John Calipari has an eye for talent, which is why all of them will at least get a look from scouts.

If you were a five-star high school recruit who went to Kentucky, there has to be some skill there, as Kentucky is an NBA farm team that has pumped out about half of the recent talent in the league.

Scouts trust that if Calipari saw something then there must be something there.

Nick Richards is a guy who falls into the latter strategy of finding players with a recognizable NBA skill that can be developed, even if they are lacking in other areas.

Richards is a 6-foot-11 forward who might have more upside than anyone in the second round. Let’s take a look at his strengths and weaknesses, as well as how he might fit with the New Orleans Pelicans as a second-round pick.