There’s a belief that the Pelicans won’t be especially eager to add another rookie to an already young roster, according to Jonathan Givony of ESPN (Insider link), who says the No. 10 pick in next month’s draft, currently held by New Orleans, is considered one of the most available in the lottery.
Within his latest mock draft, Givony also provides some intel on some other picks at the top of the draft, confirming that the Pistons are looking hard at Jalen Green and Evan Mobley, though most executives anticipate they’ll select Cade Cunningham. According to Givony, NBA teams don’t have a good feel for which direction the Rockets will go at No. 2, since the new front office doesn’t have an extensive track record. For now, Givony believes Green would be the pick for Houston over Mobley.
Here’s more on the 2021 NBA draft, which is exactly one month away:
- In a separate Insider-only story for ESPN, Givony and Mike Schmitz break down the winners and losers of last week’s draft combine, noting that Australian prospect Josh Giddey was generating plenty of buzz despite not even attending the event in Chicago. James Bouknight, Sharife Cooper, and Trey Murphy were among the other projected first-round picks receiving positive feedback.
- Speaking of Murphy, he has worked out for the Celtics and Spurs so far in the pre-draft process, as he told reporters. Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington has the story on the Virginia forward whose draft stock is on the rise.
- The “rumor in Chicago” was that Oregon’s Chris Duarte, who pulled out of the draft combine, has received a guarantee early in the second round, per Marc Berman of The New York Post.
- Potential first-round pick JT Thor of Auburn is working out for the Pacers, Hornets, Hawks, and Pelicans between now and July 6, as Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report details (Twitter link).
What about this for New Orleans?
Pelicans get
CJ McCollum
Blazers get
Eric Bledsoe
Jaxson Hayes
#10 pick in 2021
#43 pick in 2021
Too much? Too little? I think if Lonzo re-signs in NO, McCollum really could be their missing piece.
I don’t recall all the JRue Holiday details but this feels like it would be a net loss for the pels. I think they should hold firm and let the young guys develop.
I like CJM, but I doubt that there’s any market for that contract as an over 30 undersized 2G or combo. Any chance he has of bringing back a return like that is dependent on the destination being a place that views him as a starting caliber PG (in lieu of paying Lonzo, not in addition to), and there being a market along those lines.
Hard with the Pels, because Griffin is still doing things for show. But it’s clear enough they don’t want either Lonzo back, or to lose Lonzo for “nothing” (unless the nothing looks like something).
NO def won’t wanna give up Jaxson. Adams is far more likely to be traded but obv Portland wouldn’t have much interest in Adams
Duarte would be a good fit with the Knicks. Not a guy I would reach for, but if he falls to #32, there’s value there.
Sign and trade Lonzo to the Knicks or Hornets. Preferably to the Knicks for a trade exception.
Use that in a trade for Colin Sexton and Kevin Love for Bledsoe and a future 1st. Draft Davion Mitchell. There’s your backcourt.
Sexton – Buckets
Mitchell – Defense
Ingram – Buckets
Zion – Everything
Adams/Hayes – Defense
Love off the bench between the 4 and 5 for 15mpg to launch 3s in the corner.
I like the idea of Pelicans trading down a little and still getting Garuba …. NYK makes a ton of sense ….#21 and a heavily protected later 1 st makes sense for both if the player NYK wants is there at 10
Sengun could be a fun pick as well tho you’d probably have to just use 10 on him