The New Orleans Pelicans are an up-and-coming team featuring a fresh new name, a budding star* in Anthony Davis, an elite** two-way guard in Eric Gordon, and one of the brightest young minds in basketball with head coach Monty Williams. They also own the sixth overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft, which happens to have about 7 players worth of a top 5 pick.
With their two core guys able to play multiple positions in today's NBA, the Pelicans are in an ideal spot to draft the best player available. Here's a look at some players who fit really well:
Alex Len is a skilled center with good size and athleticism. While Anthony Davis can play center, if his rookie season was any indication, Monty Williams would prefer to have him at power forward next to a true man-in-the-middle center. Robin Lopez played well last year, but Len has a much much higher ceiling.
Anthony Bennett can really score, and offensively he could be a real mismatch as a small forward. He reminds me of a stronger version of Michael Beasley, without the crazy. That's a pretty enticing package.
Trey Burke could be a nice solution at point guard. He is a strong enough shooter to rotate ball-handling duties with Eric Gordon.
Ben McLemore has talents which overlap Eric Gordon pretty strongly. Neither quite has the size to guard small forwards or the pure point abilities to run the team, so there's a bit of a problem with fit. However, I think a trade could be worked out with the Phoenix Suns to swap Eric Gordon for the #5 pick and some contracts. This would have to take place later in the summer, as Gordon signed an offer sheet with the Suns and cannot be traded there for one full calendar year.
* IF HE CAN STAY HEALTHY
** IF HE CAN GET AND STAY HEALTHY
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