The big men they looked at? There just wasn't that defensive guy they wanted who could also provide decent enough rebounding. Everyone left looked like a 3 and done. And so they kept coming back to one name, one player whom New Orleans was shocked hadn't heard his name called yet. It was another god damn wing on a team loaded with them. But hell, most of them were out of contract after this season, and this kid could step right in after that.
"Do we think he'll get any PT this year?" someone asked. That was a good question - some of the other guys they were looking at, the answer was yes, absolutely, thanks to the really shitty options. This kid?
SG: Maxey/THT/Darko
SF: Wiggins/MysteryPlayer/ThisKid
PF: Wemby/MysteryPlayer/Santi?
CE: Collins/Wemby/Santi?
Oh, Santi Aldama. Had potential but busted the fuck out. Never did develop a shot, defense, or any ball skills to speak of. They were planning on burying him deep on the bench this year anyway. One of Jestor's bust picks, sadly, but what the fuck did that class do anyway?
This kid? Motherfucker could shoot from everywhere. And actually, the more they looked at his game, the more they were reminded of Darko Bajo, who couldn't shoot, but the lineups with him actually looked pretty damn good. Maybe that was the floor? Upside was, what? Maybe an Aaron Wiggins who could actually board?
Bajo/Wiggins - two guys who played above what scouts said. Yeah, that and honestly, this kid was BPA no matter how you sliced it.
Do the smart thing. Figure out the rest later. Wemby was going to shift to backup CE anyway, allowing Mystery Player to get PT at SF and opening up 16 MPG for This Kid at the 3. Kid would never see the 2 anyway.
"With the final pick in the 2032 CSL Draft, the so-called Mr. Irrelevant, the New Orleans Pelicans select...
Josh Minott, small forward, Memphis
+All levels shooter - especially deadly from 3-point range
+Stocks and overall defensive potential
+Will actually look a little bit for his shot
+Locker room guy everyone loves
+Can contribute on both ends of the floor
+Prototypical SF size
-Can neither pass nor handle
-Doesn't have the rebounding or weight to play PF
-Can neither pass nor handle
-Makes boneheaded plays and will never be more than average in basketball awareness, if that
-Some injury and durability concerns
Jackson Ayorinde's Take
The Pelicans will find ways to get the Tiger minutes from his rookie season, even if he doesn't show significant improvement in his first training camp. He's someone who can carve out a lengthy career as the prototypical 3&D wing. That the organization sees some similarities to two wings who have played above expectations in their system only adds to the feeling that this will be the rare Mr. Irrelevant who does in fact end up being relevant. Look for him to at least earn journeyman status and bounce around the league after his first contract, and if he's as good a fit as anticipated, don't be surprised to see him in midnight blue and dark yellow for a lengthy time - especially if he blossoms into his full defensive upside. It's shooting for a team that desperately needs it in the midrange and outside beyond Tyrese Maxey. To say nothing of the fact that more defense is always welcomed, even if it isn't there yet. The turnover generation will matter from the jump and he'll contribute some boards, too.
