The New Orleans Pelicans are going to be busy during the NBA Draft.
They will have five picks entering draft day unless they end up making a trade, which is very possible.
A lot of fans would like to see the Pelicans trade their first round pick or other assets for a guy like Malcolm Brogdon or another solid veteran that can help get them to the next level.
Even if the Pelicans end up trading their first-round pick, they still have four in the second round, which would now be the 35th, 38th, 43rd and 53rd.
The Pels could certainly try to package those to move up but if not, they could use the picks to try and fill some needs with guys who have one elite NBA skill.
The Pelicans definitely need shooting, so here are four guys they might target in the second round who could bring some.
New Orleans Pelicans: NBA Draft prospect, Chris Duarte
Duarte is a senior out of Oregon who is already going to be 24-years old at the time of the draft, which is not necessarily a bad thing for the Pelicans.
The Pels have enough young players already, so adding a guy in the draft who is a little more mature might even have some appeal.
Duarte can definitely shoot from all over the floor, as he hit 42.4 percent of his 3-point shots on fairly high volume and had a True Shooting Percentage of 65.7 overall. He is not only a good catch and shoot 3-point shooter, but is also a good free-throw shooter which is something the Pelicans need.
I’ve seen him mocked in the late first round or the early second, so if he is around when the Pels pick in the 30’s, they will give Duarte a look.
New Orleans Pelicans draft picks: Miles McBride
Miles McBride is a sophomore guard out of West Virginia who could potentially tick a few boxes for the New Orleans Pelicans.
Depending on what happens with Lonzo Ball, the Pelicans may want another young point guard to develop and McBride could potentially fill a few needs.
He is a good 3-point shooter, hitting 41.4 percent of his long-range shots in college on just under four attempts per game. He wasn’t a high volume shooter but he can knock them down.
I also like McBride as a defender, as he is very good on the ball in college and could offer the Pels some help in that area.
New Orleans Pelicans: NBA Draft prospect, Joe Wieskamp
Wieskamp is a junior small forward out of Iowa who will likely be around when the Pelicans choose in the 2nd round.
I’ve seen him mocked towards the end of the NBA Draft and he may even go undrafted and if he does, the Pels should pounce.
The 6-foot-6 forward shot 46.2 percent from 3-point range last season on 5.1 attempts per game, numbers that should translate.
Is Wiescamp going to be able to defend well enough to stay on the floor? If so, he’ll make some team as a shooter.
New Orleans Pelicans draft picks: Isaiah Livers
Livers was a senior, is 22-years-old and is coming off an injury, so he is probably going to fall to the late second round, where he could end up being a steal.
He is a high motor defender who can guard a couple of spots and his 3-point shooting just kept getting better.
He finished his senior season shooting 43 percent on five attempts per game and looks like a guy who can be a solid 3-and-D contributor at some point in the NBA.
These are the exact types of players to put around Zion Williamson, as they can not only spread the floor on offense but can help cover some of his deficiencies on defense.
Livers’ season didn’t end the way he wanted but it will be interesting to see if some team takes a chance on the potential he was showing before he was hurt.
The New Orleans Pelicans have to find shooting somewhere and there will be some options in the second round of the NBA Draft.