NBA Draft rumors: Pelicans, Jazz, Pacers looking to trade up for Scoot, Whitmore

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 “aggressively pursue a top pick” to select NBA G League Ignite guard Scoot Henderson.

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 “solidify their draft board” 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 “give up a large package of picks and/or young players or offer up one of its young stars.”

New Orleans holds the 14th overall pick, their only selection in this year’s 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 let’s see if it pays off for them.