It’s been a while since New Orleans relied significantly on a first-year player, with no Pelicans rookie logging more than 1,500 minutes in a season (only about 18 minutes per night in an 82-game schedule) since Anthony Davis debuted four years ago. That could easily change in 2016-17, however, as New Orleans enters Thursday’s NBA draft owning the sixth pick in Round 1, as well as overall selections 39 and 40.
Pelicans GM Dell Demps said Monday that he projects the 2016 draft class will include a crop of players who could be immediate contributors. Demps also likes the depth of this draft, which may allow New Orleans (30-52 last season) to find valuable players in the second round.