Winners and Losers: Pelicans NBA Draft
Who benefitted from the Pelicans picks, and who gets hurt?
So now that we see and salivate over who the Pelicans took, let’s see who is an immediate beneficiary and who is negatively impacted the most.
Winners:
Nickeil Alexander-Walker
While there wasn’t any real threat the Pelicans would draft a shooting guard to compete with him for the starting job, nor take his place as being the guy who will be one of the main guys going forward, he wins because someone who used to be there isn’t. Getting rid of Eric Bledsoe leaves him the chance to capture the 2 spot with very little chance to lose it. It is highly possible the Pelicans will bring in a veteran to either compete or back him up, but it will be his to lose. So if he doesn’t win the job, it is because of him.
Zion Williamson
Zion gets some good depth for the front court now. Two highly contributing players that can play some really goos defense, and one of them that has really good perimeter shooting and cutting ability, while the other is more of a point forward with some good versatility.
David Griffin
Griffin complained last season on how he didn’t add enough players that can play defense, and he got it. Credit more to Trajan Langdon for scouting players like Trey Murphy and Herb Jones. Griff knows this is his last stand.
Losers:
Josh Hart
There are many fans that want Josh Hart to come back, and the front office does too, but with the players added through the draft, it seems his spot is about to be taken. While it is possible he can go back to playing the 2 instead of the 3, his problem still remains. In that he is a streaky shooter. His FG percentages have decreased, and the Pelicans have players with better length that can play the backup 3 and 4 for Zion and BI respectively. Naji, Didi, Trey and Herb all can do what he can… I don’t know if he’ll be back, especially if they add someone with better scoring to back up NAW.
Wenyen Gabriel
Poor dude cannot catch a break. Pelicans adding the two wings puts his spot in jeopardy. He has flashes when in garbage time, but he ain’t getting anywhere out of those 12th man rotations. There were some hope, but I really believe they will get Herb to prepare to back up Zion than Gabriel.
Jaxson Hayes
While they didn’t draft another center, WHAT WAS HE THINKING?! DUMBASS!
Wieskamp and Reaves Stans
RIP to those fans that wanted Joe Wieskamp and/or Austin Reaves. Wieskamp was selected by the Spurs with the 41st pick, and Reaves agreed to a two-way contract with the Lakers. It is still likely they’ll add a shooter in the FA, emphasizing they want veteran presence. Don’t think they’ll bring in Buddy Hield. Who knows.