Pelicans NBA Draft: 3 centers to consider if Stan Van Gundy is hired
By Nick Alvarez
New Orleans Pelicans NBA Draft: Vernon Carey Jr. has traits that can make him a dominant two-way force under Stan Van Gundy
Vernon Carey Jr.- Duke
The first big man I wanted to look at was one who’s projected to be a second-round pick but is one the fringe of first-round status, Duke’s Vernon Carey Jr. That’s right another Blue Devil, and the man who followed Zion Williamson, I’m intrigued by the idea of adding Carey into the mix.
If we’re being honest here, Vernon Carey Jr. would be a top-5 pick 8-10 years ago, but today his game is a bit vintage. What Carey Jr. brings to the draft is the ability to rebound on both ends of the floor, and provide solid interior defense while attacking from within the post.
I know, many of you read that description and now think that Carey sounds like a player from the 90s, but hear me out. When I look at Carey’s game and squint a little, I see a game similar to DeMarcus Cousins.
At Duke, Carey was asked to play in the post in a throwback role because that’s how head coach Mike Krzyzewski thought the team would win. If you analyze more of Carey’s game, you’ll actually see that he’s willing to shoot in pick-and-pop situations, even extending his range to beyond the arc. He’s also great at driving to the rim.
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If you give those qualities to Stan Van Gundy, then I guarantee that Carey can be a productive player in the NBA. It might take a year but Van Gundy can put Carey in positions to be successful as a rebounder and shot-blocker first while growing his offensive game. That’s the approach he took with Dwight Howard.
Sure he’s less of a sure thing, but I wouldn’t mind seeing the Pelicans select Vernon Carey Jr. in the second-round while they address their wing issues in the first.