Pelica Debrief
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Pelicans add back court depth in latest ESPN mock draft

By Matt Alquiza

Dec 10, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans guard Bronny James (6) pushes the ball up court during the 2nd half against the Long Beach State 49ers at Galen Center. USC Trojans forward Joshua Morgan (24), guard Isaiah Collier (1) and USC Trojans guard Kobe Johnson (0) are also in the play. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 10, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans guard Bronny James (6) pushes the ball up court during the 2nd half against the Long Beach State 49ers at Galen Center. USC Trojans forward Joshua Morgan (24), guard Isaiah Collier (1) and USC Trojans guard Kobe Johnson (0) are also in the play. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports / Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
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The Pelicans offense is in desperate need of some juice. Without Zion Williamson in the fray, New Orleans struggled to get buckets in their playoff sweet at the hands of the Oklahoma City Thunder. CJ McCollum and Brandon Ingram struggled to initiate offense, and the Pels lack of creation ability was exposed for the world to see.

In ESPN's latest NBA mock draft, Jonathan Givony projects the Pelicans to select an explosive guard to slot into their back court. Givony, a long-time draft insider, has New Orleans selecting Isaiah Collier, a guard from teh University of Southern California. Here's what they Givony had to say about the selection.

"Being drafted at No. 21 would indicate a big slide for Collier, who entered college as the No. 1-ranked recruit in his high school class and was at one point considered a candidate to be the No. 1 pick (see ESPN's mock draft from Nov. 30). With few teams in the Nos. 12-20 range in the market for a lead guard with questionable shooting ability, Collier has a wide range because of the amount of playmaking usage he'll likely need to reach his full potential and the fact that most of the teams picking outside the top 10 are in win-now mode.

The Pelicans might be a team willing to take a longer view, as they don't have any glaring roster needs that they are likely to fill at this stage in the draft. "

- Givony

Pelicans fans may be rooting for the franchise to draft a USC guard, just not this one. Collier would be a prudent selection for the Pels. He's fearless attacking the basket, and while he lacks elite shooting touch, his playmaking skills could shine alongside New Orleans' elite shooting talent.

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