When the NCAA tournament kicks off the New Orleans Pelicans will be watching.
They are currently in the draft lottery, so could end up with another top pick to add to their young core of talented players that includes Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball.
The Pels could go a lot of different directions in the draft and there are plenty of guys projected outside of the top-five who could make an immediate impact.
The Pels have needs all over the place, including shooting guard, and there will be a good one on display on the first day of the tournament when Arkansas takes on Colgate in what is expected to be an exciting high-scoring game.
There is one Razorback in particular that fans of the New Orleans Pelicans should keep an eye on.
Possible New Orleans Pelicans draft picks: Moses Moody
Moses Moody is a freshman shooting guard for the Arkansas Razorbacks who has many of the qualities the Pels will seek in offseason additions.
Strengths: Moody has great size for the shooting guard position at 6-foot-6, 205 lbs. and projects as a guy who will be able to defend multiple spots in the NBA.
He can shoot from all levels already and should be a guy who could become a knock-down 3-point shooter at the next level.
He has great length, is an active defender and a plus rebounder for the position. He can already do a lot of the things Josh Hart can do but has superior size and length.
Weaknesses: Like a lot of young college players with high usage rates, Moody needs to clean up his turnovers and be more of a playmaker with the ball. He is being asked to do a lot for the Razorbacks but really projects more as a 3-and-D perimeter player than a guy who is going to penetrate or make plays for his teammates. He reminds me a bit of Danny Green, though Moody probably has a higher ceiling athletically and is not as good a shooter.
How he fits on the Pelicans: The Pels need to add size, defense and shooting to the shooting guard position and Moody could potentially add all three. He would give the Pels some depth at a couple of spots, could end up being an elite defender and he can run the floor and make plays in transition. He is also very young, so he would fit the timeline of Kira Lewis Jr. and the two could grow off the bench together.
The New Orleans Pelicans need more talent, it’s that simple. They will probably just take the best player available if they end up in the lottery and Moody is one of those guys who could make a big leap up draft boards if he performs well in the tournament.
Keep an eye on Moses Moody, as he is a talent who fits many of the Pels needs and might be available when they pick.