New Orleans Pelicans G-League Watch: Will Magnay is making his case

(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

The New Orleans Pelicans have had one of the worst benches in the NBA this season by any measure.

They don’t score much, don’t play much defense outside of Josh Hart and have gotten next to nothing out of guys like Nicolo Melli, Jaxson Hayes or J.J. Redick.

It might be time to give someone else a shot and his name is Will Magnay.

The 22-year-old Magnay is currently playing for the Erie Bayhawks of the G-League and is already looking like a guy who deserves a shot at the rotation, especially considering the failings of the Pels’ other bigs.

Magnay had a big night against the 905 and looks like a guy who could help the Pelicans.

New Orleans Pelicans: Will Magnay deserves a shot

If you look at Magnay’s most recent stat line you can see the ways he might be able to help the New Orleans Pelicans.

Magnay scored 20 points in 23 minutes and added seven rebound and three assists.

He knocked down 2-of-3 from behind the arc and added two blocks and a steal.

Hmmm, a power forward who can shoot and protect the rim? It seems like the New Orleans Pelicans could use one of those.

Obviously, a couple of G-League games don’t mean much in the grand scheme of things, but there is no way you can convince me that Magnay is not already better than Melli or Hayes.

The Pelicans are currently playing a nine-man rotation that includes exactly one power forward, Zion Williamson.

The Pelicans could definitely use a player off the bench with some size who can potentially block a few shots and knock down a 3-pointer.

With nearly every Pelicans’ bench player struggling mightily right now, what exactly do they have to lose?

If Will Magnay continues to fill the stat sheet for the Erie Bayhawks then he deserves a shot, as none of the other Pels have stepped up.

The New Orleans Pelicans desperately need bench depth and may have to go to the G-League to get it.