New Orleans Pelicans Draft: The next Brandon Ingram may fall to 2nd round

New Orleans Pelicans NBA Draft: How Jaden McDaniels fits on the team

How Jaden McDaniels fits on the New Orleans Pelicans

The Pelicans need more size and depth on the wing and McDaniels could potentially provide it. At 6-foot-10, he is huge for the position and could potentially allow Brandon Ingram to play some at the two if the Pels want to go big.

A big man who can spread the floor is something that Stan Van Gundy always wants in his offense whether it is Hedo Turkoglu or Rashard Lewis, who Van Gundy turned into a top stretch-four.

McDaniels’ ability to spread the floor and hit 3-point shots would be a huge weapon in Van Gundy’s offense, which relies on spacing, quick ball movement and working from the inside out.

The Pelicans also need some rim protection and McDaniels can provide it, as he has the potential to be an elite weakside shot-blocker in his career.

He could fill in both forward positions, which gives the Pelicans a lot of versatility, especially at the defensive end. He could play with Zion Williamson or back him up, which is the type of flexibility the Pelicans need.

Van Gundy has always had a guy like McDaniels, so it makes sense that he would want a big who can spread the floor in New Orleans.

McDaniels is being mocked all the way from the back end of the lottery to the second round, so the Pelicans may have to use some of their considerable draft assets to move up and get him, but if he is there at say pick #32, they’d have to consider it.

Jaden McDaniels could be the top-five talent who slips in this year’s NBA Draft, a guy who is compared to Brandon Ingram and could join him on the Pelicans.