re: Pelicans Interviewed Prospects

I swear, some of you will rationalize never drafting anyone ever again for this franchise, even when we are the shining example of why you don't just devalue picks, even later in the draft.

EDIT: I see you arent exactly saying not to draft anyone, but to aim for a high ceiling guy regardless of what he can contribute year one. I'm ok with that.

quote:

---

I just don't think a guy who shot .296 from deep and .589 from the free throw line (Sochan) is the one to hang your hat on.

---

Totally understandable given our terrible 3-pt shooting this past year...BUT (and yes, there always seems to be a but, with me) we will definitely be a MUCH better 3-pt shooting team next year. We should go from 27th out of 30 in that category...to somewhere around 15th, maybe even as good as 12th or so.

I'm assuming the following:
Zion returns (Many more C&S 3s for EVERYBODY else)
Devonte does NOT shoot 563 3s at his 34.1% rate
CJ shoots many MORE than 180 3s at his 39.4% rate
Trey shoots many MORE than 186 3s at his 38.2% rate
BI NOT gonna shoot 32.7% from 3, closer to his normal 39%
Herb gonna shoot 36% from 3, probably closer to 37%
NAW NOT gonna shoot 305 3s at his 31.1% rate
GT NOT gonna shoot 185 3s at his 31.9% rate
Naji...PLEASE doesn't shoot ANY 3s with your 20% rate
Jose...get in the gym & practice your shooting !!

quote:

---

Why would you assume drafting Sochan at 8 is for need and not the top player on their board at that position? We should be swinging for the fences, because who knows when we’ll have a chance to get another top 10 pick (insert joke about next years Lakers pick).

---

I’m not assuming anything. I’m replying to someone making the case that Sochan should be our pick because of what he can do for us next year. I don’t really agree with his assessment of the player, but in general, I think we should take the best player and let the chips fall where they may.

quote:

---

Who knows if he would make an impact? He’s got tools, and should be able to play nba defense right away, but he’s also 19 and raw. Sometimes those guys take a second to get the swing of things in the NBA, especially when playing on playoff caliber teams (which I expect us to be). I’m saying I don’t think it really matters if he’s good or not next year- take the best prospect who fits with our long term pieces such as Zion, BI, and to a lesser extent, Trey and Herb. If that’s Sochan, great. Draft him.

---

Seriously, I know we all want that "guard prospect" that can come in and be some efficient 12/3/3 guy off the bench, but realistically (if we're not moving on from Graham), drafting a guy to develop and turn into 2nd half of the season Ziaire Williams (Memphis) or our very own Trey Murphy wouldn't be horrible either.

1st 31 games: 40/26/85, 20MPG - 6.7/1.6/0.8
2nd 31 games: 50/37/74, 23MPG - 9.5/2.5/1.3

As it stands, we need: 3&D shooter, backup PF, and a true backup PG. For the time being...We're gonna have to depend on a combination of Graham/Alvarado/Lewis to take on the 3&D and backup PG role.

We're gonna need Hayes and Nance to do the backup PF.

I’m not saying the guy can’t improve, but to just assume he will and it will be easy is probably a bit much.

How many athletic big dudes have we seen who are great in transition and on defense but can never develop a shot? It’s like a tale as old as time. They always stick around, but constantly move teams.

I’m not saying the other way doesn’t happen too, it definitely does. It just seems to me for every Kawhi Leonard there are more than a handful of Al-Farouq Aminu’s.

On my phone but just read on the Athletic by Mike Vorkunov that the Pelicans are believed to have interest in Sochan.

Sorry for no link