All season long, the New Orleans Pelicans have struggled on the glass, and it has cost them games. One of the biggest factors in the Pelicans' struggles on the glass is a lack of true size, as their two best frontcourt players are Derik Queen and Zion Williamson. DQ lacks the strength, awareness, and experience at this point in his career to be a beast on the boards. With Zion, it's mostly a size issue, but at times it's also a lack of effort.
The NBA is more about winning margins than ever before, and for a team that struggles from three-point range, losing the rebounding battle is a non-starter.
Thankfully for the Pelicans, it appears they may have just found a hidden gem that could really help improve their nightly production on the glass in Josh Oduro. The 25-year-old forward, who previously played for Providence, was signed by the Pelicans with their final two-way spot after the team converted Bryce McGowens' deal to a multi-year standard contract. Over the last two games (the first two of his NBA career), Oduro has gotten some real burn and, against the Celtics, pulled in 12 rebounds to go with 12 points, finishing as a team high plus-6.
Oduro can contribute to fix New Orleans rebounding problem
Oduro is a familiar face within the Pelicans circle as he has spent the last two seasons with the team's G League affiliate, and now he finally gets a real chance. Despite the Celtics blowing New Orleans out by 26 points, Oduro's hands were all over this game. Six of his 12 rebounds came on the offensive glass as he was crashing with an intent, awareness, and strength fans haven't seen from anyone on the Pelicans all season.
He did something similar in his previous appearance against the Utah Jazz on Tuesday, having two of his five rebounds come on the offensive glass.
Oduro helped the Pelicans win that battle on the offensive glass, as New Orleans pulled in 14 offensive rebounds to Boston's nine. His activity was a nice change for New Orleans as he was creating not just putback chances for himself but opportunities for his teammates.
At 6-foot-9, Oduro doesn't bring the height or rim protection New Orleans needs from the center spot or next to one of Derik Queen or Zion Williamson in the frontcourt. However, as previously mentioned, the NBA is all about margins, and having a high-level rebounder off the bench is something this team doesn't have right now. Oduro's junkyard dog gritty mentality on the glass could bring a ton of value to the Pelicans' second unit, and at 25 years old, he still fits their rebuilding timeline.
When the Pelicans signed him to their final two-way spot, it wasn't viewed as a groundbreaking move. But, now, over his two appearances, we have seen he possesses a skill set New Orleans desperately needs, and that should make him someone the front office considers bringing back this summer.