New Orleans Pelicans: Top 3 priorities in the 2021 NBA Draft
New Orleans Pelicans: The Pels need defenders in the NBA Draft
Everyone is well aware that the Pelicans are terrible on defense, so if they end up using their pick, the Pels should target a player who has some upside on that end.
Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram are the second-highest scoring duo in the NBA this season but neither of them are great defenders, so the Pels need to find a guy, preferably a wing, who can defend the position, hustle and do things other than score.
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The Pelicans have plenty of scoring and will have even more as guys like NAW get better offensively, but right now their defense is too porous for it to matter.
If you look at the top of the NBA standings you will find all the top defensive teams. You have to be able to score, yes, but if you can’t stop anyone, then you are just the Kings or Pelicans over the last two seasons, high scoring teams that lose.
It looks like the Pelicans might have found one of them in Naji Marshall, who has played well enough to get a shot at a roster spot.
But they are far from done in that department, so if the Pelicans end up using some or all of their picks, they need to find some defenders, preferably on the wing.
A guy like Scottie Barnes might fit the mold, as he can defend and make plays, two things the Pelicans need.