METAIRIE, La. (AP) -- New Orleans Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry had to wait until late in the second round of Thursday night's NBA draft before putting his initial fingerprint on the franchise.
The Pelicans selected forward Branden Dawson from Michigan State with the 56th overall pick, Gentry's first since being named coach on May 30.
New Orleans traded its 2015 first-round pick to Houston before this past season for center Omer Asik, who averaged 9.8 rebounds and 7.3 points per game.
Gentry is trying to build on a team that was knocked out of the opening round of the Western Conference playoffs 4-0 by eventual champion Golden State.