Via the New Orleans Times-Picayune:
This year, there is more uncertainty about whom the Pelicans will take in the first round. They have the 14th selection in Thursday’s draft. Earlier this week, the Pelicans came up with a list of players their front office and scouts liked. The names were in double digits. In the past few days, the Pelicans have tried to whittle that list down. They are exploring various scenarios where they trade up or down as well.
If the Pelicans stay at 14, a shooter such as Kansas’ Gradey Dick or Connecticut’s Jordan Hawkins would make sense. Choosing Dick, a 6-7 wing who nailed 40.3% of his 3s on nearly six attempts per game last season, is a no-brainer if he lasts until 14. Hawkins is more of a question mark. He is an electric shooter who can run around screens all game, but he does not have great size for a shooting guard and there are questions about how he can affect games outside of his ability to make 3s.
The Pelicans have identified outside shooting and rim protection as their two biggest needs this offseason.
