Pelicans Need a Hit and Not a Whiff on Draft Night
With the #6 pick in the first round of the 2016 NBA draft, the New Orleans Pelicans are faced with a dilemma: either select a player that can help superstar Anthony Davis turn around the fortunes of the franchise, or else sink further down into NBA oblivion.
The Pelicans have a star in Anthony Davis, but are in a rebuilding process. The old adage “out with the old, in with the new” starts with the 2016 NBA draft.
The definition of insanity is doing the same things over and over expecting different results. Pelicans fans are defining the Demps trade “strategy”, specifically trades for draft picks as exactly that: INSANE.
Has the “win now” strategy worked with one remaining drafted player on the roster,in Anthony Davis?
Demps has been in New Orleans since 2010, and has 1 drafted player to show for it. He has the propensity to add vets to the roster via trade, i.e. Omer Asik and Jrue Holiday.
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But — the Pelicans need a youth and talent infusion, and if Demps has a player high on his draft board available at #6, he should take him.
There are a few long-term factors which impact the pick. Eric Gordon and Ryan Anderson are expected to test the free agent market. Tyreke Evans and Jrue Holiday contracts are up in the summer of 2017.
Evans this year should be trade bait for a contending team, while Jrue Holiday would likely seek a max money deal with the Pelicans.
It would be in the neighborhood of a 5 year 125+ million dollar deal as the Pelicans retained his rights (Pelicans can offer Holiday more $$ and years than if he hits signs with another team). In free agency, Holiday is looking at a 4 year deal and 100+ million.
The Pelicans are in the market for a SG/SF a wing player that can grow with AD, but a combo guard will also help. A combo guard and Jrue would wreak havoc on opponents.
Whomever the Pelicans pick has to fit Gentry’s team, and be able to contribute on both ends of the floor. The Pelicans need an instant impact player, a day one starter.
The natives are restless, and now is the time to rectify previous mistakes.
With that, here are the players that Pelicans fans and NBA observers and analysts everywhere, see as potential “fits” alongside Anthony Davis in NOLA.
Starting with this young man……
Next: The Bayou Favorite