The New Orleans Pelicans will enter the 2021 NBA Draft with five picks and a number of needs.
I’ve suggested that the Pels should trade their first round pick in some type of package to bring back a player but that still leaves four picks in the second round.
The Pelicans could use these picks as ammunition to try and move up into the first round, could look for players that could help them now, draft a few international players to stash overseas or target players to fill out their G-League team.
If the Pelicans do use their second-round picks, they have a number of needs to fill.
Pelicans draft picks: Pels’ needs in the NBA Draft
The Pelicans have a number of roster holes that need to be filled if they want to make a leap next season and make the playoffs.
The Pels need a wing who can play defense, and if that person could shoot, even better.
They definitely need more shooting, as the Pels dropped to one of the worst 3-point shooting teams in the league, which made it harder for Zion Williamson to do his thing in the paint.
And most the Pelicans just need guys who play hard, can defend their position and aren’t worried about personal stats, as there aren’t a ton of shots to go around with Zion and Brandon Ingram getting most of them.
The Pelicans’ bench has been better since they got rid of crybaby J.J. Redick, who has really proven himself to be a bit of a scumbag since leaving the Pels.
I don’t care about his feelings regarding the front office, but Redick was caught out “liking” posts on Twitter after the Pels were eliminated from the playoffs, which to me is petty and disrespectful to his teammates ,who didn’t do anything to him.
But Redick’s departure did leave a big hole where some shooting should be, which is why the Pels should take a hard look at Johnny Juzang from UCLA In the second round.