New Orleans Pelicans NBA Draft: An Ideal Second Round Scenario

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Feb 8, 2020; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic forward Gary Clark (12) shoots before the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

With one of the final trades during the 2020 NBA Draft, the New Orleans Pelicans make a deal with the Orlando Magic

Yes, David Griffin made a trade in the first round but he’s not done yet. With the Pelicans having little money to spare in free agency thanks to an impending contract for Brandon Ingram, Griffin knows he needs to nail the draft and acquire cheap role players.

That’s why he makes a call to the Orlando Magic and strikes this deal:

Wow! You might be thinking David Griffin paid a steep price for Gary Clark and the 45th pick but this ends up being another smart move for the New Orleans Pelicans in the 2020 NBA Draft.

With this deal, the Pelicans acquire the rights to Gary Clark who will be a restricted free agent. This means that the Pelicans can offer him a contract or match any deal he gets. It’s a smart move because Clark is another multi-positional defender who’ll improve the roster’s depth and toughness on the wing.

Related Story. Gary Clark a hustle stat free agent for the Pels. light

This deal also allows Griffin to move on from excess picks that the Pelicans don’t need because if the team made all their picks in this draft and used those future second-round picks, then the Pelicans would have no room on their roster.

With that move now completed, Griffin can end the 2020 Draft with one last pick, this time finally getting the coveted big man that the Pelicans fans are begging for.