Pelicans Draft: 3 prospects that would be perfect fits with Zion Williamson

Possible New Orleans Pelicans draft picks: Usman Garuba

Another thing the Pelicans desperately need is players who are dedicated on the defensive end.

Usman Garuba is definitely not a polished prospect, but he projects as a guy who could be an elite defender in the NBA and is the type of rim protector that the Pels would love around Zion Williamson.

Garuba has been playing in the Spanish league, so most fans have not seen much of him and his numbers are not going to jump off the page.

He can’t shoot, and outside of finishing at the rim, doesn’t offer much offensively.

Where Garuba has people excited is on the defensive end, where he could end up making an impact right away even though he is still very young.

Scouts rave about Garuba’s ability to switch all over the floor defensively, his explosive athleticism and his ability to protect the rim.

He already has an NBA frame at 6-foot-8, 230 lbs. and has shown the ability to defend multiple spots, which is something the Pelicans need off their bench.

He is a project offensively and may never get there, but if the Pelicans want to add a guy who could end up being an elite defender around Zion Williamson, then Garuba will get a look, especially if the Pels are picking near the end of the lottery or just outside of it.