New Orleans Pelicans Need To Focus On The Draft In 2015-16 Stretch Run

By Frank Ewere

The New Orleans Pelicans haven’t had the season they were hoping for. The team has a 25-42 record, they are 12th in the Western Conference and that isn’t even the worst of their problems. The Pelicans haven’t even had a chance to compete at 100 percent all season.

Several players have suffered season-ending injuries, with Tyreke Evans (knee), Eric Gordon (finger), Quincy Pondexter (knee) and Bryce Dejean-Jones (wrist) are all out for the year. Pondexter hasn’t even been able to play at all this season. Additionally, the majority of the team has had some type of injury at some point this season. The Pelicans just haven’t had any luck with injuries.

After a disappointing season, it’s time for the Pelicans to look towards the NBA Draft. The Pelicans have many needs, but the team should take the best available talent at either small forward or at power forward in order to move Anthony Davis over to the center spot. The first prospect that comes to mind is Ben Simmons.

Simmons will likely be the No. 1 overall pick, but that doesn’t mean the Pelicans have no chance at landing him. There have been several times when a team with low odds lands the top pick. Simmons will help the Pelicans because of his ability to pass and his versatility. He plays power forward in college, but the Pelicans will surely be able to work with him and make him into a small forward/power forward combination player who causes matchup problems.

Another prospect is Jaylen Brown. Other prospects like Brandon Ingram or Jamal Murray might be ranked ahead of him, but Brown is an athlete whose level of athleticism can’t be taught. He needs to work on his shooting in order to be a threat long-term, but shooting can be developed if the player is willing to work hard enough. An example of this is Kawhi Leonard. Leonard had athleticism and length, but he wasn’t a great shooter when he was in college. Now he is only a few percentage points behind Stephen Curry this season in three-point shooting.

Whoever the Pelicans decide to have their sights set on, it’s time to rest Davis and the better players more to save them for next season. Not only will that help their health, but it will help them get a better draft position and be more relevant next season.

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