Re-drafting the 2020 NBA Draft — 13. Immanuel Quickley, New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans need a player like Immanuel Quickley, who can fill it up in a hurry from the perimeter. He exceeded expectations tenfold as a rookie, rocketing up the depth chart in New York and playing important minutes for a playoff team. In New Orleans, he would take on even greater importance.
New Orleans lost some guard firepower this summer and is desperately trying to build a competent contender around Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram. Quickley can do a lot on the ball, but he’s equally useful off the ball, running around screens and shooting on the move. Given how frequently Zion helms possessions, that’s a valuable skill set.
Quickly averaged 11.4 points per game last season, shooting 39.5 percent from the field and 38.9 percent from deep. He needs to improve his efficiency inside the arc, but Quickley’s electric attitude and long-range bombs would find immediate purchase in the Pelicans’ offensive ecosystem.