New Orleans Pelicans: What-ifs from the 2020 NBA Draft
What if the Pelicans had drafted Desmond Bane?
The Pels’ biggest offensive weakness right now is 3-point shooting, as they were among the worst teams in the league in terms of percentage and attempts.
The best fit in the 2020 NBA Draft might have been Desmond Bane, who is already one of the best 3-point shooters in thel league. Bane dropped all the way to the final pick in the first round in 2020 and was selected by Boston before being traded to the Grizzlies.
Last season, Bane averaged 18.2 points and 4.4 rebounds but more importantly, shot over 43 percent from 3-point range on 6.9 attempts per game playing alongside Ja Morant.
Bane would have thrived in New Orleans just as much playing next to Zion and BI, and could possibly be the final piece of a championship puzzle if the Pels were able to swap for him right now.
Not only would Bane have filled the Pelicans’ biggest weakness, but would have kept him away from one of their biggest rivals.
The Grizzlies are so high on Bane that they reportedly refused to include him in a trade for Kevin Durant, so it shows they think he is an important part of their future.
Hopefully Kira Lewis Jr. will blow up in year three and make New Orleans forget what could have been, but if he doesn’t, it’s going to be tough watching Bane lighting up the scoreboard for Memphis while Kira potentially plays for another team.