Should the New Orleans Pelicans be looking to trade on NBA Draft day?

The New Orleans Pelicans will have five picks entering the 2021 NBA Draft and could use them in a number of ways.

Right now, the Pels would have the 10th, 35th, 40th, 41st and 53rd pick in the NBA Draft, but it is very unlikely that that they would use them all, as they won’t have the roster space for five additional players even if they could find ones that they liked.

I would guess the Pelicans will look to trade from their stockpile of second-round picks to move up in the draft, but is more the first round pick that concerns me.

Barring a miracle, the Pelicans will be choosing near the end of the lottery in the NBA Draft, high enough to possibly find some talent, but low enough that it won’t be the type of “can’t miss” prospect that they need.

So should the Pelicans be prepared to trade on NBA Draft day? I say yes and here’s why.

New Orleans Pelicans: The Pels have plenty of young players

Fans are infatuated with young players and draft prospects because they represent hope. But the truth is that very few of them come in and make an impact on good teams right away.

The Pelicans are led by 20-year-old Zion Williamson and also have Kira Lewis Jr., Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Jaxson Hayes. Let’s not forget that “veteran” Lonzo Ball is barely older than NAW and that Brandon Ingram is barely older than him.

This team has plenty of youth to build around, and though I understand the idea of keeping a pipeline of young talent, there is no point when they won’t get a chance to play.

Zion Williamson’s brilliance has sped up the Pels timeline, so they need to put a winner on the floor next season before he starts sniffing around greener pastures.

If the Pelicans can trade their first-round pick and Eric Bledsoe’s contract for a player who can help them now, then they absolutely should.

New Orleans Pelicans: Pels can find talent in the second round

This is a very deep draft and the New Orleans Pelicans should be able to find a player or two in the second round who can come in and compete for minutes off the bench.

There are guys like Johnny Juzang, Cameron Thomas and Miles McBride who are all projected to go in the Pels’ range and might be able to help them next season off the bench.

The difference in talent between the 10th pick and the 35th pick probably won’t be that great in this year’s NBA Draft, so the Pels can trade their first rounder and probably still get a similar talent.

The New Orleans Pelicans will be ready to deal on draft day, and they should be, as there is really no reason to use this pick as anything other than trade bait.