New Orleans Pelicans: “Pass or Pursue” on 3 NBA draft trade-up prospects

New Orleans Pelicans Potential Trade-Up Prospect #1- James Wiseman

We finally made it to the player who is simultaneously the most hyped and the most scrutinized in the entire draft class, James Wiseman.

Plenty of people are questioning Wiseman’s status as a top prospect because he only played three games at Memphis due to NCAA violations. Some of those detractors look at the three games he played and say that they think Wiseman’s also an antiquated big-man who’s not equipped for the modern NBA.

I don’t fall into that camp. I watch Wiseman play, and I see an athletic freak at the center position who could not only play at a high level when he gets into the NBA but also has an upside to being an elite franchise player.

Just watch some of the highlights, and you’ll see Wiseman running up and down the court blocking shots, and attacking the rim at will. As soon as he enters the NBA, he’ll be perfectly capable of handling rim-running and shot-blocking duties. I wouldn’t even be surprised if he’s an elite defender from the moment he enters the league.

There are signs that with time he can be more than that too. Wiseman is already working on expanding his range, and footage even shows that he’s trying to be more dynamic in the post too. He might start as an electric albeit one-dimensional player, but it wouldn’t shock me that if in his second or third season he becomes one of the NBA’s most skilled big men.

Imagine putting that player with Stan Van Gundy, and next to Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson. That trio would easily become one of the best young frontcourts in the league, and unstoppable to contain due to their elite physical traits.

Verdict: Pursue (Heavily)