The New Orleans Pelicans will enter the 2021 NBA Draft with five picks, and though it is very unlikely that they use them all, this is a deep draft in which they could find some talent late.
The Pelicans have some glaring holes that need fixed, so they will explore all avenues to get impact talent in the draft by any means necessary, including trades.
Of course, they still need to find a coach, so that is the first item on David Griffin’s long “to-do” list which will also include finding shooting and improving the team’s horrible defense.
The Pelicans have the 10th pick in the lottery, which I could see them trying to package in a trade to get a proven player to add to Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram.
They also have the 35th, 40th, 43rd and 53rd picks in the second round, and even though 2nd-round picks are always a crapshoot, this is one of the deepest drafts in recent memory, so some good players are going to fall.
Here is a mock draft of what the New Orleans Pelicans might do with those four picks.
New Orleans Pelicans draft picks, No. 35- Johnny Juzang
Johnny Juzang blew up in the NCAA tournament and showed himself to be a dynamic scorer who can get buckets.
His game has flaws, which is why he might fall to the second round, and if he did, Johnny Juzang would be a steal for the Pelicans.
He isn’t the greatest athlete or defender, but can score from both the 3-point line and the mid-range and could give the Pelicans a much-needed boost of offense off the bench.
Juzang may end up creeping into the late first round, and if he does, there will be some teams hoping to move up to get him.