2021 NBA Mock Draft 4.0: Detroit Pistons land the draft’s biggest prize

The Pelicans come into this draft with a bit of pressure. They missed the playoffs, they’ve already parted ways with Stan Van Gundy and are looking for a new head coach, they have a big decision to make on re-signing Lonzo Ball and there are rumblings that Zion Williamson’s family isn’t happy with the talent the team has put around him [enormous eye roll]. Looking at all those variables the Pelicans may opt for a more conventional play here — a high-upside athlete like Jonathan Kuminga or a familiar scorer archetype on the wing like James Bouknight or Zaire Williams. But I just love the idea of Josh Giddey here too much.

Giddey is definitely an unconventional player — a 6-foot-8 point guard who is a terrific passer and relentless driver. He’s a solid athlete, competes at the defensive end and there’s every reason to think that what he does well should translate easily to the NBA. What he doesn’t do quite as well is shoot or score — he averaged just 10.9 points per game and shot under 30 percent from beyond the arc in 28 NBL games last season. But when you already have Zion and Brandon Ingram, scoring doesn’t seem as important and floor spacers can be found for cheap in other places. Let Giddey work as a creator around the rest of the Pelicans pieces and you’re going to have a fascinating result.