The New Orleans Pelicans are expected to aggressively seek a top pick, potentially second or third, in the 2023 NBA draft to target G League guard Ignite Scoot Henderson, league sources have confirmed. the athlete on monday. Here’s what you need to know:
- The Swans currently have the #14 pick in the upcoming draft.
- Henderson is expected to be ranked No. 2 by the Charlotte Hornets, according to the CIA the athleteLatest mock draft.
- In his second and final season with the Ignite, Henderson averaged 16.5 points, 6.5 assists, 5.4 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game.
The Western Conference playoff contender is seriously seeking a top 2-3 pick in this month’s NBA draft, with an eye on point guard Scoot Henderson: pic.twitter.com/UFCs9VEU7Q
– Shams Charania June 12, 2023
the background
New Orleans is drafting the lottery for the fifth straight season since selecting NBA All-Star Zion Williamson twice with the first pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. After landing the 14th pick in the upcoming draft, the Pelicans are looking to move to the other end of the lottery to potentially take Henderson.
Can the Pelican pull this off?
People within the Pelicans organization showed a great deal of interest in Henderson throughout the draft process. However, striking a deal to get the second or third pick in this year’s draft won’t be easy. New Orleans has two clear paths to achieving this: give away a large pool of young picks and/or players or introduce one of its young stars.
The Pelicans have as much trading ammunition as anyone in the league outside of Utah and Oklahoma City. Besides all the first rounds ahead, New Orleans still has another Lakers option in either 2024 or 2025 and a Bucks selection in 2025 and 2027.
I’m sure potential suitors would be more interested if Brandon Ingram or Williamson became available.
Williamson’s recent off-the-field drama and long history of injuries have made some boredom his status as the face of the franchise, but I’d still bet the Pelicans leaned toward his potential rather than trade him early in his career. I would also be shocked to hear Ingram’s name involved in any of these conversations. – Guillory
How would Henderson fit in in New Orleans?
Well, that depends on who he’s playing with. If the Pelicans strike a deal that allows them to add Henderson while keeping Ingram and Williamson, they will have one of the most dynamic and explosive young trios in the NBA. This team should be watching TV as long as everyone is healthy and on the floor.
Henderson will also bring a slithering, quick style to the point guard position that isn’t always found with CJ McCollum and Jose Alvarado. Having someone like Henderson who can get into the paint and create or spray-edge looks for shooters will make life much easier for Ingram and Williamson. If someone like Williamson had to go get Henderson, things would be a lot different in New Orleans.
There will be a lot of pressure on Henderson to not only achieve a high level of production early on for a team that still sees itself as a playoff contender. But he will also face a lot of pressure not to repeat some of the mistakes Williamson has made in the past regarding his relationship with the organization and some of the people he surrounds himself with off the court. – Guillory
required reading
(Photo: Jeff Bottari/NBAE via Getty Images)