Brandon Ingram enters restricted free agency this summer, so the Pelicans opt for more wing depth in the form of Devin Vassell. One of this season’s biggest risers, Devin Vassell went from a sophomore afterthought to a lottery talent. He’s one of the premier 3-and-D wings in this class.
At 6-foot-7 with a 6-foot-10 wingspan, Vassell makes a lot happen on the defensive end. He’s an active on-ball defender who can use his length to bottle up the point of attack. He’s also consistently engaged off the ball, slithering into passing lanes and generating turnovers. Expect numbers in the steal and block categories from day one.
On offense, Vassell has proven himself a reliable spot-up shooter from 3. His ceiling is tied to more development as an on-ball scorer, but he can beat closeouts with the standard one or two dribble pull-up. He’s thin and lacks elite athleticism, but efficient two-way wings who can shoot will typically find a place in the league.