The Pelicans are likely to lose Derrick Favors this summer. While Jaxson Hayes has been groomed as a potential replacement, he’s probably not as ready to contribute as Onyeka Okongwu. Okongwu and Zion Williamson would give New Orleans an impressive baseline on defense.
While he’s slightly undersized at 6-foot-9, Okongwu enters this draft as possibly the best defender in his class. He should have garnered more recognition than he did at USC, where he helmed the best defense in the Pac-12. With great mobility, feel, and vertical athleticism, Okongwu can effectively protect the rim despite his short stature.
On offense, Okongwu’s value as a rim-runner would be well-served in New Orleans’ up-tempo offense. He doesn’t space the floor for Zion, a potential hang-up long term, but Williamson is too physically dominant to be kept out of the paint. Okongwu does his job. He sets screens, he rolls hard to the rim, and he’s a constant lob threat. He could start day one.