2019 NBA Draft grades for every team: Pelicans get an A+, Rockets an F

2019 NBA Draft grades for every team: Pelicans get an A+, Rockets get an F

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 20: Zion Williamson poses with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted with the first overall pick by the New Orleans Pelicans during the 2019 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

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WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 29: Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils dunks the ball against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the second half in the East Regional game of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

New Orleans Pelicans – A+

1st Overall – Zion Williamson, Forward (Duke)

8th Overall – Jaxson Hayes, Center (Texas)

17th Overall – Nickiel Alexander-Walker (Virginia Tech)

35th Overall – Marcos Louzada Silva, Forward (Brazil)

First and foremost can we take a moment to appreciate what David Griffin has done in just a few weeks on the job in New Orleans? When Griffin first signed on to help run the New Orleans Pelicans basketball operations many thought his biggest task would be convincing Anthony Davis to stay in the bayou. Instead, he has quickly re-established the Pelicans as one of the most talented young teams in all of the league.

It began with the lottery where the ping pong balls bounced their way to awarding the number one overall pick to New Orleans. It was never a doubt of who they would take (Zion Williamson) with that pick but Griffin quickly reconfigured this team to be built around maximizing Williamson. We all saw what Zion was capable of doing in his one year at Duke. Given he was surrounded with two other players who would go on to become top 10 picks themselves, it is widely accepted that if not for Williamson Duke wouldn’t have approached anywhere near the highs they did a season ago. Zion won’t be the Pelicans best player next season (Jrue Holiday) but every move that the Pelicans made last night was done with Williamson in mind.

First was the trade with the Atlanta Hawks, and with the two first round picks they got back they took Jaxson Hayes and Nickiel Alexander-Walker. Hayes is rim running, rim protecting athletic center who can impact the game without having a single play called for him. Alexander-Walker is a combo guard who is a prolific outside shooter who can get to the rim off of the bounce. Both will grow and develop in time with Williamson and by the time they all hit their prime the Pelicans could be a force.

As a result of including Solomon Hill in the deal, New Orleans now also projects to have over $33 million in cap space to use in free agency—which is between $10 and $6 million more than the Los Angeles Lakers right now. The longer we go past the accepted Davis trade the more Griffin manages to make it look like a steal for New Orleans. Just imagine what the sports debate shows will say if Griffin and the Pelicans can either A) sign a max player the Lakers were chasing one B) sign some of the lower-tier free agents the Lakers were attempting Tom target to fill out roster spots eight throughout 15.

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