The New Orleans Pelicans already know what they’re going with the No. 1 pick. But who should they be looking at for their two second-rounders?
The top of the Pelicans draft board is pretty much set. Landing the No. 1 pick meant Zion Williamson is on his way to New Orleans, the easiest decision this franchise will have to make all summer. However, the Pelicans also have a pair of second-round picks (No. 39 and 57) and the chance to add even more depth as they start rebuilding around Zion. Who should they be looking at taking a swing on in the second round?
5. Killian Tillie, Forward, Gonzaga
Tillie was ranked highly on several draft boards at the end of last season but returned to Gonzaga and saw his stock plummet as concerns about his strength and athleticism seemed more pressing, and as Rui Hachimura and Brandon Clarke leapt past him in primacy to Gonzaga’s attack. The appeal of Tillie is that he’s a 6-foot-10 big who made 47.0 percent of his 149 3-point attempts in his college career.
Tillie has value as a big-man floor spacer, especially for a Pelicans team that needs shooting help up and down the rotation. But defensive deficiencies will limit his role and his ceiling is probably as a situational contributor. Still, for a second-round gamble, he certainly warrants a look.