Potential New Orleans Pelicans draft picks: Franz Wagner
Wagner is a guy who has moved up draft boards after a solid season for the University of Michigan.
The Pelicans need shooting, defense and depth at both forward positions, and Wagner could potentially provide all of those things, as he can score from all over, is a tough defender and has the size to play both forward spots in the NBA.
Possibly his most intriguing skill is his passing, as he plays some point forward for the Wolverines and has show plus ability as a playmaker both in the half court and on the fast break.
He is not a jump-out-of-the-gym athlete, which could hurt his defense at the next level, but Wagner has shown toughness and good instincts that should make up for it.
I also love the fact that he has some pro experience in Germany, and even though he will only be 19-years-old at the draft, he should be one of the more NBA-ready prospects in the lottery.
This is important for the New Orleans Pelicans, as they already have a bunch of projects in Kira Lewis Jr., Jaxson Hayes and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, so taking on a guy who might be ready to step in and contribute is not a bad idea.
Of course, the Pelicans would love to jump into the top-five of this draft and grab a potential superstar, but if they don’t, Wagner would be a decent consolidation prize, as he ticks a lot of the Pels’ boxes when it comes to needs.