PELICANS: Examining all Possible Draft Night Scenarios

Mar 18, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Denzel Valentine (45) motions while guarded by Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders forward Perrin Buford (2) during the first half of the first round in the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Moving Down

Instead of giving up multiple assets to move up, the Pelicans could grab a few assets themselves if they are willing to move down.

The Denver Nuggets are in full rebuild mode and are looking for a future star in this years draft. They have the 7th, 15th, and 19th picks in the first round, but they would probably rather have multiple picks in the top 10.

If someone like Dragan Bender was available at #6, but the Nuggets still wanted to draft someone like Hield or Murray at #7, they might be interested in a trade which nets them both the 6th and 7th picks in the draft to try and increase their chance of finding a young star.

The Pelicans would love a young star too, but they can’t afford to risk as much as the Nuggets can. Unlike the Nuggets, they already have a franchise player. Dell might not want to risk the next 3-4 years of his job by gambling on Dragan Bender while safer options are on the table.

Instead, Demps might decide to move down, draft a safer prospect, and net a proven player in return.

This trade would allow the Pelicans to add a proven versatile wing to their team, and a young prospect. At pick #15 the Pelicans could look at mid-lottery prospects such as Denzel Valentine, Furkan Korkmaz, Wade Baldwin IV, or Timothe Luwawu.

As much as it might be appealing to take a chance on a riskier prospect, Dell might decide that a lineup of Jrue-Valentine-Chandler-Davis-Asik is a safer way to get back into the playoffs (and a safer way to keep his job).

Next: The Preferred Route?