
NBA Draft rumors: Pelicans looking to trade up for Scoot Henderson
The 2023 NBA Draft takes place on Thursday, June 22. The first-overall pick is a foregone conclusion, as Victor Wembanyama is expected to be selected by the San Antonio Spurs. The NBA Draft will officially begin with the second-overall pick if the Charlotte Hornets opt to trade down. If not, then the No. 3 pick, which is held by the Portland Trail Blazers, will be one to keep an eye on.
It appears that there are numerous teams dead-set on trading.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, the New Orleans Pelicans are expected to āaggressively pursue a top pickā to select NBA G League Ignite guard Scoot Henderson.
Western Conference playoff contender seriously pursuing a top 2-3 pick in this monthās NBA Draft, with eyes on point guard Scoot Henderson: pic.twitter.com/UFCs9VEU7Q
ā Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 12, 2023
Charania notes that the Hornets have held a workout with Alabama wing Brandon Miller on Sunday, and will hold a workout for Henderson this Tuesday. From there, the Hornets will āsolidify their draft boardā later this week.
For the Pelicans to move up, Charania and William Guillory of The Athletic note in an article (subscription required) that they would have to āgive up a large package of picks and/or young players or offer up one of its young stars.ā
New Orleans holds the 14th overall pick, their only selection in this yearās NBA Draft. So, they would have to trade multiple future assets or players for a team like the Hornets to punt at the chance of selecting Henderson or Miller.
This season, Henderson averaged 16.5 points, 6.8 assists, and 5.3 rebounds while posting a 42.9 field goal percentage in 19 games played (18 starts).
It would be a bold strategy for the Pelicans to move up from the No. 14 spot to land the No. 2 pick, so letās see if it pays off for them.