NBA Draft: Scottie Barnes could be the Pelicans’ Draymond Green

Pelicans NBA Draft: How Scottie Barnes would fit

The Pelicans need versatile defenders who can cover both forward positions, and Barnes projects as a guy who can do that.

We all know the Pelicans had defensive problems all season, and even though Naji Marshall emerged as an option down the stretch, they still need a lot more help in that area.

Green is a disruptive defender who can guard all over the place, so he would give the Pelicans a lot of lineup flexibility on the defensive end.

On offense, his playmaking would help take some of the pressure off Ingram and Zion, as Barnes is very good in the pick-and-roll and will be even more effective as his shot improves.

The Pelicans definitely need shooters and there are some concerns about floor spacing but if the Pels can get some shooters elsewhere, Barnes’ ability to pass and get them better shots will be a plus for the offense.

There are going to be a lot of moving parts for the Pelicans this offseason and they could be a very different team by next year, which is why a guy like Barnes makes sense. He can fit into just about any lineup and brings the kind of defense and hustle the Pelicans have lacked.