The New Orleans Pelicans are building a deep and talented roster and that’s before they get Zion Williamson back and add a top-10 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.
After making the playoffs this season without Zion, the Pels probably feel they are contenders just by getting him back and adding another high draft pick.
The Pelicans have a 66.6 percent chance of landing the 8th or 9th pick, so it’s likely they’ll be picking that range, though there is a slight chance they could jump all the way up to #1 overall.
If they do stay in their most likely range, Johnny Davis from Wisconsin will be a guy the Pelicans take a long look at, as he would be a nice addition on both sides of the ball.
Pelicans draft: Johnny Davis’ strengths and weaknesses
The Pelicans are building their identity around defense and Davis would fit right in, as he was one of the best defenders in the Big 10 on his way to winning player of the year in the conference.
He’s a very good playmaker and mid-range scorer, though he does need to work on his 3-point shot, as he hit just 30 percent this season for the Badgers.
He has good size for a shooting guard at 6-foot-5 and is a guy who relishes rebounding his position and defending multiple spots on the perimeter.
He’s a leader who doesn’t back away from the big moments and will be ready to make an impact on both sides of the ball from day one. But does he really fit with the New Orleans Pelicans?
2022 NBA Draft: How Johnny Davis fits with the New Orleans Pelicans
On paper, Davis is not a perfect fit, as he is not a 3-point shooter and the Pelicans already have four guards under contract for next season.
But all of the Pels guard except CJ McCollum are small, so the Pels may look to move Devonte’ Graham or even Kira Lewis Jr. if they don’t think there are minutes for three undersized guys.
Davis would be a perfect fit off the bench with Jose Alvarado, as the two of them could terrorize opposing backcourts with their defense.
Put Davis with the starters and you have a very good offense with four guys who can create and get their own shot.
I also like Davis’ intangibles, and he seems to be the type of player who would fit right in with the culture the Pelicans are building.
The New Orleans Pelicans could use more size and defense off the bench and Davis will be a guy they consider with their 2022 NBA Draft pick.