13. New Orleans Pelicans – Cole Anthony, G, North Carolina
With the off-chance that the New Orleans Pelicans elect to move on from both Lonzo Ball and Jrue Holiday over the course of the next couple of seasons, it’ll be important for this team to have a backup plan already in place. Taking Cole Anthony with the 13th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft would be a great value.
Anthony was considered a disappointment in college but enters the draft with a ton of potential and intrigue. In his defense, Anthony never seemed to be 100 percent during his freshman season at North Carolina and was not playing with overwhelming talent around him. It’s not an excuse, but it could be an explanation for his underwhelming season with the Tar Heels.
Anthony needs to prove that he can hit a consistent jump shot and that he can be the playmaker that lead guards need to be in the NBA, but the raw talent is there with Anthony. Plus, playing next to Zion Williamson would make any player a better playmaker instantly.