re: Draft Discussion

Some recent draft content --

Jonathan Wasserman did a "best landing spot" and "worst landing spot" for several of the lottery prospects ( LINK). The Pels didn't land on anyone's worst landing spot, but did for a couple of best landing spots...

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Keon Johnson

Best landing spot: New Orleans Pelicans

The New Orleans Pelicans have young stars and a need to plug role-player gaps with impact, low-maintenance players. Johnson fits that description and would give the lineup an explosive slasher and perimeter defender.

Raw offensively at 19 years, he could play to his strengths early off the bench, providing athleticism and energy in a spark role. Eventually, Johnson can leapfrog or replace Eric Bledsoe to play off Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram.

The lineup would value his off-ball scoring and defensive pressure.

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Moses Moody

Best landing spot: New Orleans Pelicans

The Orlando Magic wouldn't be a bad landing spot, but the Pelicans are too far ahead roster-wise, and they could also offer a sizable role that suits his skill set.

With an offense already built around Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, Moody could play to his strengths as an off-ball shot-maker. He doesn't need many dribbles to score, a valuable trait for a 2-guard in a lineup that already has multiple go-to options.

The Pelicans could use his shooting off spot-ups and screens for offense and spacing.

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Kevin O'Connor released a new mock draft selecting Kispert at #10 for the Pels. LINK

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NEW ORLEANS PELICANS | Corey Kispert
Even though he already dominates the paint, Zion Williamson will need more space and more targets to pass to once the Pelicans become a playoff team. Kispert is one of the draft’s best shooters and he’d also add toughness on defense.

SHADES OF
Bojan Bogdanovic, Joe Harris, Gary Trent Jr.

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And Wasserman did a mock with a lottery simulation that landed the Pels at #4, taking Suggs ( LINK)

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The Sacramento Kings set with De'Aaron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton could allow Jalen Suggs to fall to the New Orleans Pelicans, who jump into the top four with a 20.3 percent chance.

Even if their goal is to re-sign Lonzo Ball, he and Suggs can still coexist. New Orleans would value Suggs' downhill athleticism to put more pressure on the rim.

He excels most while playmaking in transition, turning the corner off ball screens, pulling up off the dribble and forcing turnovers on defense. Suggs can replace Ball at point guard if the Pelicans are unwilling to match max offers in restricted free agency. But he's interchangeable enough—particularly due to his cutting—to play a combo role like he did at Gonzaga.

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