The New Orleans Pelicans will have five picks entering the upcoming NBA Draft and could use them in a number of ways.
David Griffin said as much in a recent interview, giving some hints that the Pelicans are open for business when it comes to their picks:
"“The pick assets we have give us incredible flexibility. And because we have a young group where most of them are on rookie-scale (contracts) – and other players we’re very high on, we’ve secured for multiple years at affordable numbers – we’ll be able to be aggressive if the right fit exists for us. I think you could see us do virtually anything in that space.”"
One thing is for certain, if the New Orleans Pelicans are going to improve next season and make the playoffs, they are going to have to get an impact player from this draft whether they pick the guy or use the picks to trade for him.
I have suggested Malcolm Brogdon as a guy they might target in a trade, but there are a number of impact veterans they might be able to land by packaging their picks in a trade.
But what if they keep them? What type of player do they need from the draft?
New Orleans Pelicans: Needs in the NBA Draft
If the Pelicans do keep their five picks, then they definitely need to nail a few of them to add impact talent to this roster.
They need help in a number of areas, particularly defensively, where they could use a tough wing to complement the scoring of Brandon Ingram.
They also need some shooting, as the Pelicans took a nose-dive in 3-point percentage this season that was causing them some spacing issues on offense.
They need overall hustle and toughness, as they were far too soft this season, especially before making the J.J. Redick trade.
What if they could get a guy who checks nearly all of those boxes? That is what they could have in Franz Wagner, a forward out of the University of Michigan.
New Orleans Pelicans: NBA Draft prospect Franz Wagner
Wagner is a guy who should be in the Pels’ draft range depending on how things go in the lottery.
The Pels are projected to have the 8th pick but could certainly move up if they get lucky or move back a couple of spots if they don’t.
Either way, Wagner should be there.
When you are talking about a mid-lottery pick for a team that already has a lot of young, high ceiling talent, drafting for “fit” is not a bad option unless there is a player available who you think is way better than his draft position.
Wagner is a guy who is a good “fit” for the Pelicans, as he is a good defender who can guard both forward spots, he can knock down 3-pointers and is a good playmaker for his position.
The Pels could use someone else who can initiate the offense, especially off the bench, and Wagner profiles as a guy who can play some point forward or at least make plays from the post or the wing.
He is a good defender who averaged more than a steal and a block per game and he can shoot the 3-pointer well enough to keep defenses honest.
The knocks on Wagner have always been that he is not big enough to bang with NBA power forwards and is too slow to stay in front of wings. Wagner put some of those fears to rest with another strong season at Michigan, but his lack of athleticism will be a concern.
New Orleans Pelicans draft picks: Franz Wagner
I see Wagner as a guy who could back up both forward spots, making it easier for SVG to take one of Zion Williamson or Brandon Ingram off the floor.
In lineups with Zion Williamson, Wagner could work well out of the pick and roll, especially if his outside shot keeps improving.
If Zion is out, Wagner can handle the ball some, make plays and add another element to the Pels’ offense. He can also play off the ball with Lonzo Ball, adding another floor spacer.
I like his fit with Naji Marshall off the bench, as the two can both defend and make winning plays, which are things the Pelicans lacked for most of the season.
Wagner could be a “Swiss Army knife” type player who does a little bit of everything for the Pelicans but mostly solidifies their defense and shooting off the bench.
The New Orleans Pelicans need to turn this pick into a guy who is ready to play and Wagner is one of those guys, as he has been a professional in Germany and has maturity beyond his years.
If the New Orleans Pelicans don’t trade their pick, expect Wagner to get a long look.