Pelicans NBA Draft: A Duke wing with All-Star upside in the second round

New Orleans Pelicans NBA Draft: Cassius Stanley could develop into the two-way wing that the team is missing

Cassius Stanley’s Fit on the Pelicans

I know that the weaknesses of Cassius Stanley’s game might have scared a lot of people off, but I’m still high on his potential. Why?

Well let’s start with the Duke connection, if Stanley joined the Pelicans then he’d have to feel some semblance of brotherhood on the roster with a lot of players from Duke who could support him. Having a veteran like J.J. Redick and then even younger players like Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson could be the perfect support system Stanley needs to grow.

Then I look Stan Van Gundy’s hiring, who’s a better coach to teach Stanley the fundamentals of the game than Van Gundy? Sure, there will be times when Van Gundy yells and gets on Stanley for his mistakes, but he’ll also teach him and guide him along the way to make him a better player.

Moving to on the court elements, I think Stanley if he polishes his game could be just what the Pelicans need as their own Gearld Green or Rodney Hood. A 3-and-D wing with athletism that allows him to play at the high pace that the Pelicans like. It sounds like a match made in heaven.

If he continues to improve his passing and his handle to become a more well-rounded player, he could even become a fringe All-Star with a game similar to the Boston Celtics’ Jaylen Brown.

Sure, it’ll take some work but with time, Cassius Stanley might be better than anyone else that the New Orleans Pelicans could select in the second round of this year’s draft. He could even end up being one of this team’s missing pieces.