The 2013 NBA draft is tonight and unlike last year, the Pelicans pick is still up in the air.
Last year when the then Hornets had the No. 1 pick there was a consensus for a few months leading up to the draft the team would draft star power forward Anthony Davis.
But not this year, and not in this draft.
Compared to last years’ class — and next years’ for that matter — the 2013 draft is relatively light on players who could develop into stars.
There are five players who the Pelicans are seriously considering drafting with the No. 6 pick: Center, Alex Len from Maryland; Shooting guard, Ben McLemore from Kansas; shooting guard, Victor Oladipo from Indiana; point guard, Trey Burke from Michigan and small forward Otto Porter from Georgetown.
ESPN NBA draft insider Chad Ford has released six mock drafts and has pegged the Pelicans taking Len three times and Burke three times, with all three other prospects on the ‘Cans wish-list going in some order before they get a chance to pick.
The Pelicans have an outside shot at McLemore, Oladipo and Porter — most mocks don’t have those players falling to No. 6 — but Burke and Len are the most likely picks for the Pelicans.
All five of the players have significant strengths and weaknesses. Michael Pellissier — blogger/contributor for ESPN True Hoop affiliate Bourbon Street Shots, who exclusively cover the Pelicans — helped break down those strengths and weaknesses. Here are key points from his scouting report on those five prospects.
Real shots:
Center, Len
– Strengths: size, mobility, shot-blocking, finishing at rim
– Weaknesses: still needs to add strength, inconsistent at Maryland, average rebounder, injury concerns
Len is the 7-footer with the most offensive-ready game in this draft. He already has a post-up game which could be effective in the NBA, and has the potential to develop a solid face up game with some work on his jump shot.
“Make no mistake- as it is with most players, you are drafting Len for the player he projects to be, not the player he is now,” Pellissier wrote in his scouting report. “He can contribute by running the floor, blocking shots, and participating in pick and rolls, but that is essentially all he is ready to do as a rookie. As he gains experience, he has the physical profile and the skill foundation to develop a versatile offensive repertoire.”
Point Guard, Burke
– Strengths: advanced ball-handler, low turnover rate, shooting, passing, pick and roll ability, intangibles
– Weaknesses: average athlete, lateral agility, average finisher at the rim, struggles finishing with his left hand, pick and roll defense.
Burke has been doubted at every step of his career, but has produced at a high level whenever given the chance. He won the Naismith Award for being the best college player in the nation. But Burke is undersized, and could struggle to be anything more than a back up in the NBA.
“He should also thrive as a shooter if his team possesses another capable shot-creator. His defense projects to be pretty bad, especially as a rookie, as he will be facing elite athletes night in and night out,” Pellissier wrote. “The NBA is loaded with athletic, capable point guards, and he will be facing stiff competition.
Outside shots:
SG, McLemore
– Strengths: shooting, athleticism, finishing at the rim, defensive potential, rebounding
– Weaknesses: needs work creating his own shot, ball handling
McLemore has the potential to be the best player out of these five. He possess an excellent shooting stroke and has the athleticism to succeed attacking the basket at the next level. The question with McLemore isn’t his ability, it’s his drive as he struggled to dominate games at Kansas.
“McLemore, from a talent perspective, is naturally gifted enough to become a perennial All-Star. Few players that possess his athleticism can shoot as well as McLemore,” Pellissier wrote. “His ball-handling needs work, however, and it will need serious work if he is going to create his own shot at a high level. At this point of his development, he is essentially limited to straight-line drives.
SG, Oladipo
– Strengths: athleticism, effort, perimeter defense, finishing well at the rim, off-ball movement, rebounding, intangibles
– Weaknesses: predictable on offense, never established himself as dominant scorer in college, unproven shooter, ball-handling
Oladipo was the nation’s most improved player and become a reliable 3-point shooter last season, though his shooting stroke still needs work. Oladipo’s greatest strength is his defense, he will be able to defend three different positions at the NBA-level, which is crucial in today’s game.
“If drafted by the Pelicans, Oladipo would bring an immediate upgrade to their perimeter defense, which was absolutely terrible last season,” Pellissier wrote. “Oladipo can pressure the ball, create turnovers, and can get out in transition and fill the lanes.
SF, Porter
– Strengths: basketball IQ, passing, length, intangibles, defensive instincts, versatility
– Weaknesses: quickness, thin frame, struggles scoring in isolation sets, inconsistent shooting
For the Pelicans, Porter represents not only a good player but a player who has the potential to fill one of the team’s biggest holes. Porter would be inserted into the starting lineup from his first day on the roster. Porter hasn’t been able to prove he can consistently hit outside shots, though, and the Pelicans already have issues spacing the floor.
“Porter is an NBA-ready prospect. He has an excellent feel for the game: he can hit cutters out of the high post, understands defensive rotations and responsibilities, and has a knack for rebounding and generating turnovers,” Pellissier wrote. “The Pelicans have a gaping hole at the 3. Al-Farouq Aminu is an unrestricted free agent because the Pelicans turned down his team option for next year. Darius Miller showed promise as a passer and shooter, but he is still inexperienced and he may be better served as a role player.”