The New Orleans Pelicans were handed a gift from the basketball gods when they won the lottery and landed Zion Williamson last off-season. Despite a delayed start to his rookie season, Williamson excelled immediately.
Now, the challenge for the Pelicans in off-seasons moving forward will be building a team that allows Williamson as well as New Orleans’ other stars like Brandon Ingram and Jrue Holiday excel. Given the team’s current roster construction, improvements will likely come in the form of 3&D wing players.
In CBS Sports’ latest 2020 NBA mock draft by Kyle Boone, the Pelicans land one of the better 3&D wings in the draft in Devin Vassell out of Florida State. Boone had the following to say on selecting Vassell:
“As the Pelicans build their roster around Zion Williamson, shooting and defense will be paramount. Check and check on both accounts here with Devin Vassell. He’s an NBA-ready 3-and-D type wing who shot above 41% from 3-point range in each of his two college seasons, and he should be ready to step in and contribute defensively from Day One.”
As noted by Boone, Vassell was a strong three-point shooter with the Seminoles. In total, he averaged 12.7 points and 5.1 rebounds while attempting 3.5 threes per game on the 41% shooting. At 6’7″, Vassell could play either wing position, an area the Pelicans are current shallow in.
For that reason alone, Vassell could step into the Pelicans’ rotation from day one and add more versatility, shooting and defense to the roster.
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