Could the Pelicans trade up in the 2022 NBA Draft?

The New Orleans Pelicans could form a powerhouse in the Western Conference

The New Orleans Pelicans can certainly get an impact player with the 8th pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.

There are guys like Dyson Daniels, Bennedict Mathurin or Tari Eason who could all be very good players for the New Orleans Pelicans.

But as I said, this might be the last time they pick in the lottery for a long time (hopefully), so why not try to maximize that pick and get a future star?

If Jabari Smith is still there at #2, the Pelicans should seriously consider trying to move up, as they would be set up for the present and the future.

Jabari Smith would be the ideal type of player to put next to Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, as he can shoot the lights out and defend in the post and on the perimeter. He’d give the Pelicans a future “Big 3” whose max deals were spread out, and give them the chance to go with crunch time lineups that could score and defend:

• CJ McCollum
• Brandon Ingram
• Herb Jones
• Jabari Smith
• Zion Williamson

I’m not sure how you stop that offense. With BI and Zion creating with two elite shooters in McCollum and Smith and a slasher like Herb, this group would be a nightmare for opposing defenses.

This would be a way for the New Orleans Pelicans to use their draft assets without taking on any bad contracts or long-term salary and would give them the best young core in the NBA.

If the Pelicans can swing a deal to move up to grab an elite talent, they should take advantage of the assets they have and do it.