New Orleans Pelicans Draft Review

Current Roster
PG: Frank Jackson/Quinn Cook
SG: E'Twaun Moore/Jordan Crawford
SF: Solomon Hill/Axel Toupane/Quiny Pondexter
PF: Anthony Davis/Cheick Diallo
C: DeMarcus Cousins/Alexis Ajinca/Omer Asik

2017 Free Agents
Unrestricted
G Jrue Holiday
F Dante Cunningham
C Donantas Motiejunas

Restricted
None

Who They Drafted
2-31 Frank Jackson, PG/SG Duke
The Pelicans traded up to the first pick of the second round to draft Frank Jackson, a combo guard that many believed could be a first round pick due to his age and athletic testing results. Just barely tuned 19, Jackson is young for a first year player and has good size and length for a combo guard, in addition to registering a 42-inch max vertical at the combine as well as other great testing numbers. The problem is that Jackson doesn't utilize that athletic ability very well. He can finish well above the rim and is explosive in a straight line, but doesn't have the wiggle and shake you'd want from a lead ball-handling guard, a fact that is exacerbated by his handle, which lacks advanced moves and breaks down when pressured. He is more of a scoring threat than passer, but he isn't myopic as an offensive player. Where he will likely provide the most value in the NBA is as a shooter, after canning .392% of 130 three-pointers his one season at Duke. That ability to space the floor will be extra important in New Orleans, where spacing will be at a premium around big men Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins. That will be Jackson's role, plus be opportunistic fast breaking and getting the ball to the Pelicans' stars.

What They Need Going Forward
Bringing back Jrue Holiday or replacing him with a competent player to play point guard, as well as whatever they can find on the wing with the space they have. This is a make or break season for the Pelicans (and presumably their front office and coaching staff) and going into the season without an above-average player at point guard and on the wing could spell doom for a lot of people and DeMarcus Cousins' time in New Orleans.

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New Orleans Pelicans Draft Review

47. Russ Smith, G Louisville Sr. (6-1, 160)

The Pelicans traded last year's second round pick, Pierre Jackson, back to the team they traded for him from in the first place, Philadelphia, for a second round pick this year. Whew. With that pick they selected Russ Smith, who is very similar to Jackson. Both are quick, diminutive combo guards who can play some at point guard and are streaky shooters. Jackson is the better player in my eyes because he is a better distributor and has less history of terrible shot selection like Smith has. The difference is probably negligible though, what is important is that the Palicans need Smith to contribute because they have so much money locked up in a few players, they'll need cheap contributors. Have concerns a 160 pound guard can really be effective or efficient in the NBA, both Smith does have a lot to like.

Projected Lineup

PG: Jrue Holliday/Russ Smith

SG: Eric Gordon/Austin Rivers

SF: Tyreke Evans/Luke Babbitt

PF: Anthony Davis/Ryan Anderson

C: Omer Asik/Jeff Withey

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Ready to Take Off: Anthony Davis

In the Pelicans Saturday night win over the Charlotte Bobcats, Anthony Davis scored 25 points (9/13 FG, 7/8 FT), with 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 6 steals and 6 blocks. This remarkable performance is becoming par-for-the-course for Davis who is averaging 23.7 points, 13.3 rebounds, 4 blocks, and 2.7 steals on the young season. It's not just that the 2012 number 1 overall pick is putting up big numbers, he looks like his game has grown considerably since last season. We all know about the terrific hands, length, and athleticism that give Davis the ability to block shots and throw down outrageous alley-oops, but now the skill is starting to catch up to the elite physical ability. Part of his big improvement offensively has been his jumper, he hit 4-of-5 outside the paint from against Charlotte, and is shooting 50% from there this season. His stroke in general is improved, as demonstrated by his terrific 95% shooting from the free throw line so far this season. If his jumper continues to fall, it will open up his offense even more, allowing him to use his explosive first step to take slower bigs off the dribble from the high post. This quickness, along with more aggressiveness, strength, and seeking of contact this year, also allows Davis to draw more fouls, nearly doubling his total from 3.5 last year to 6.7 this. There is no reason that he shouldn't average 8+ free throws a game in time. Add to that his improved shooting, plus buckets of put-backs and of course alley-oops and you have a recipe for a very efficient and reliable offensive game. Defensively, we know Davis can block shots and has very active hands, but his ability to guard on the perimeter and switch, as well as guard in ISO situations are also becoming elite skills. That is why I think Davis fits better at power forward than center, because he causes so much havoc all over the floor when he plays there, but is limited when he plays center, not to mention the wear and tear having to check bigger players. What is even more amazing is that Davis is only 20 years old and has a ton of room for growth in both physically and in his abilities, despite being playing at an All-NBA caliber right now. If this level of growth continues, Davis could be a top 5-10 player in this league. The Pelicans have playoff asspirations and the talent to get there, but they need to be careful that ball-dominant players like Jrue Holiday, Tyreke Evans, and Eric Gordon don't neglect Davis, because he is their best player.

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Draft Review: New Orleans Pelicans

Traded for point guard Jrue Holiday

The Pelicans traded the draft rights to Nerlens Noel and a top 5 protected 2014 First Round pick for Jrue Holiday. This is a lot to give up for Holiday, despite the fact that he is an All-Star point guard who is certainly an upgrade over Grievis Vasquez. I especially like the defensive potential of a Holiday on the perimeter and Anthony Davis in the middle. I think this makes sense for New Orleans, though I don't necessarily love it because they gave up the best talent in this draft and a first round pick in a loaded 2014 draft.

Second Round

Pierre Jackson, PG Baylor (42)

This doesn't make sense either, unless Vasquez is traded, because he, Holiday, Gordon, and Rivers are all best with the ball in their hands, as is Jackson. As a player, I think Jackson could be a more sane Nate Robinson and a solid point guard spark plug off the bench that can penetrate, shoot, and run a team, but I don't love the fit unless there is a trade.

Projected Rotation

PG: Jrue Holiday/Greivis Vasquez 

SG: Eric Gordon/Austin Rivers

SF: Al-Farouq Aminu (FA)/Darius Miller

PF: Anthony Davis/Ryan Anderson

C: Robin Lopez/Jason Smith (FA)

What Will The Pelicans Do at #6?

Alex Len, C Maryland So. (7-1, 255)

That Len will fall this far is seeming more and more unlikely, but if he does he'd certainly be high on the Pelicans wish list. Pairing Len with Anthony Davis would give the Pelicans a potentially dominant pair of big men on both ends of the floor, and that has to be appealing. The presence of Ryan Anderson and Robin Lopez means that Len will be able to develop without too much pressure. However, that also means they will be ignoring other positions of greater need.

Otto Porter, SF Georgetown So. (6-9, 198)

One of those positions of need is small forward, where Al-Farouq Aminu is a free agent, and even if he returns, Aminu is more of a defense, rebounding type. Otto Porter is a much more polished offensive player who can shoot and pass very well. However, like Len it seems unlikely at this point that Porter will be available at 6.

Ben McLemore, SG Kansas Fr. (6-5, 189)

The Pelicans took Austin Rivers last draft, and he proceeded to have one of the worst seasons in NBA history, so it wouldn't shock to see them take another 2 guard. This could become even more of a possibility if Eric Gordon is traded. McLemore is an outstanding shooter and athlete who will benefit from playing alongside a solid point guard in Grievis Vasquez and Davis, especially on the fast-break, where all three excel.

Trey Burke, PG Michigan So. (6-1, 187)

Despite having a breakout season, the Pelicans may not be completely satisfied with Vasquez as their starting point guard. Even if they are, a backup is needed and if the Pelicans think Burke is the best player on the board, they could consider him either an upgrade or a backup and eventual replacement for Vasquez, though I think this is unlikely,

Michael Carter-Williams, PG Syracuse So. (6-6, 184)

The same can be said for Carter-Williams as Burke, though he is a similar player to Vasquez, a big pass first point guard. MCW has much higher upside than Burke or Vasquez because his explosive athleticism. Rumor is he is preferred over Burke, but I don't think in either case point guard is the way that the Pelicans should go.