Jalen Johnson could be the next Pelicans’ draft pick from Duke

New Orleans Pelicans: Jalen Johnson’s strengths

On paper, there are few players who fit what the New Orleans Pelicans need more than Jalen Johnson from Duke.

This is a guy who has the size to play both forward positions, which is something the Pelicans need, as they don’t really have future backups for Zion or Ingram.

Johnson is a versatile defender with good hands who blocks shots, grabs steals and can defend multiple positions, which are skills the Pelicans definitely need.

Johnson is also a plus-rebounder and 3-point shooter, knocking down 44 percent of his long-range shots, albeit on low volume.

He can get to the rim and finish and could develop into a tough pick-and-roll player if he can take better care of the ball.

He has the length and motor to be a plus-defender at the next level and if he can knock down the NBA 3-point shot, could be a solid two-way player.

New Orleans Pelicans: Jalen Johnson’s weaknesses

There are a lot of question marks around Johnson’s offensive game. He doesn’t have great handles, doesn’t create much from the perimeter and hasn’t shot the kind of volume from 3-point range that you’d like from a wing.

Johnson can get to the rim and he does have some point guard skills with the ball, but he turns it over way too much and teams are just going to sag off him until he prove that he can hit the 3-point shot consistently at a higher volume.

If he can knock them down, his ability to penetrate will be a big plus in the NBA, but if he can’t his offensive game could lack against elite defenders.

Johnson also missed valuable developmental time by opting out of the season early, which could cause him to drop in the draft as there are some questions about his attitude.

Personally, I don’t blame him for opting out of a season that carries increased risk to amateur athletes who are not being paid, but we’ll see if NBA teams feel the same way.

How would Jalen Johnson look on the Pelicans?