Pelicans: 5 players to target with the 17th pick in the NBA Draft

The New Orleans Pelicans now have the 17th pick in the NBA Draft after a trade with the Memphis Grizzlies that included their 10th pick.

This is a deep NBA Draft, so the Pelicans should be able to find talent with pick 17 and there are a number of intriguing options, including a couple of sleepers who have been moving up draft boards after great workouts.

The Pelicans made the move to upgrade at center and to free up some cap space, and it cost them seven spots in the draft.

The Pels might not be done trading and could end up moving this pick in a package for a veteran player, but if they do keep the pick, they can still find guys who could make an impact.

Here are five I like at pick 17, including one sleeper who has been rising up the draft boards.

Pelicans draft picks: NBA Draft prospect Trey Murphy III

Trey Murphy III was a guy I thought the Pelicans might trade up to get, but now that they have moved into the later first round, he is right in this range.

Murphy is a 6-foot-9 shooting guard/small forward who is one of the best shooters in this draft. He shot 43 percent from long range and 92 percent from the line, both things the Pelicans desperately need as they have glaring holes in both areas.

Murphy has great size for either position and should be a fit with a number of small-ball lineups with Brandon Ingram at the four and Zion Williamson playing center.

He’s not the greatest defender, but he has the experience and skillset to come off the Pelicans’ bench as a shooter.