9. New Orleans Pelicans- Lauri Markkanen (Arizona, FR, Power Forward)
(Editor’s Note: This was written before the New Orleans Pelicans acquired DeMarcus Cousins from the Sacramento Kings. Of course, adding another big man would not be in the best interest of the franchise. With the loss of Buddy Hield, expect the Pelicans to target a backcourt player in June.)
The big man from Arizona, Lauri Markkanen, has become an elite shooter, shooting 46 percent from beyond the arc to go along with his appealing seven-foot height.
He has great shoot creating ability for his size and can spread the floor nicely. His defensive and rebounding abilities are a concern, but pair him with Anthony Davis (who exceeds in those areas), Markkanen can develop in those areas while he creates offense for a Pelicans team who could use another scorer.