NBA Draft Mock 8th Pick: New Orleans Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans urgently need defense, and guard Keon Johnson can provide exactly that. Creating a competitive environment around Zion Williamson is pivotal and while the team boasts a wide collection of young talents, as well as reliable veterans, at least on paper, what they currently have in store isn’t nearly enough in the stacked West.
Offense is not really a problem for this team. Eric Bledsoe and Lonzo Ball were suppose to hoist their perimeter defense over the top, but the former’s noticeable decline as a stopper and the latter’s inconsistencies in the department doomed the Pelicans even when they bleed points against the opposition.
Keon Johnson is not a primetime offensive player, but fortunately, the Pels won’t need him to be one. His defensive activity, quickness and knack for playing the passing lanes will be a very welcome sight to the Crescent City. Also, his athleticism and ball handling makes him a threat in the open court, which will supercharge New Orleans’ offense further.