NBA Draft: Top 3 centers for the New Orleans Pelicans
New Orleans Pelicans NBA Draft: Vernon Carey Jr.
Vernon Carey Jr.
Carey Jr. is emerging as one of the most interesting prospects in this draft. He is a skilled big man who knows how to score but there are some questions about his athleticism and defense.
Recently, pictures emerged of Carey looking a lot slimmer and claiming to have added a 3-point shot to his game:
Vernon Carey Jr. has lost 30 pounds since the Duke season ended in March, and has shown an ability to hit from the outside in recent workouts 👀, per @NYPost_Berman
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) November 6, 2020
📸 @shotbyretro pic.twitter.com/vYPv08p6Ol
If Carey develops a 3-point shot, he is a completely different prospect, as teams are no longer looking for dominant post players, which he could be.
It’s the difference between Jahlil Okafor and Karl-Anthony Towns. One is a dominant post player who can’t do much else and one is an all-around scorer and playmaker who can step away from the hoop.
If Carey has improved his athleticism by slimming down and continues to develop a shot, he could be the perfect stretch-five to play next to Zion and Brandon Ingram.
If the Pelicans could get “Jahlill Okafor with range,” they’d take it, especially if Carey slips to the second round where choosing him would be less of a risk.