Pelicans NBA Draft: A Duke wing with All-Star upside in the second round
By Nick Alvarez
Cassius Stanley could be a perfect target for the New Orleans Pelicans in the second round of the 2020 NBA Draft
The New Orleans Pelicans should be looking exclusively for players with a high upside in the 2020 NBA Draft. I know that might sound like a bold take for a team that appears to be only a couple of NBA ready contributors away from contending, but hear me out.
Draft prospects with high upside even if they might be considered “projects” can have massive benefits for any organization. In my view of roster management, these players are valuable because they provide the ultimate flexibility.
On one side, if a team develops a player with a lot of upside properly, they could end up with another star. A player who’d be better than a low ceiling player who’s NBA ready. Then on the other side, potential and the unknown holds value in the NBA. Teams love trading for young players with potential because they love to believe that they’d make them great.
That’s why I think the New Orleans Pelicans should consider drafting Duke freshman Cassius Stanley in the second round of this year’s draft. Projected as a mid-second round pick, Stanley might not fill an immediate need for the team, but he could be great down the line.
After all, with new head coach Stan Van Gundy at the helm, team president David Griffin did say that the plan was for the Pelicans to develop players and create a sustainable winning culture in New Orleans. With that in mind, let’s dive into why Cassius Stanley would be a great part of that.