With the NBA draft quickly approaching on June 22, a potential blockbuster trade reportedly appears to be a top priority for a 2023 playoff contender hoping to land star prospect Scoot Henderson.
According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, the Pelicans are interested in moving up in the draft to select the dynamic guard. New Orleans, which currently holds the No. 14 pick, will look to move into either the Hornets’ spot at No. 2 or the Trail Blazers’ spot at No. 3.
“The Pelicans are expected to aggressively pursue a top pick, potentially two or three, this upcoming NBA draft with their eyes set on Scoot Henderson,” Charania reported Monday.
Charania also noted the Hornets are expected to “further solidify their draft board as this week closes,” meaning their role in a deal involving their top pick could be made public by Friday at the latest.
Western Conference playoff contender seriously pursuing a top 2-3 pick in this month’s NBA Draft, with eyes on point guard Scoot Henderson: pic.twitter.com/UFCs9VEU7Q
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 12, 2023
The Pelicans’ reported interest in Henderson sends a statement to the rest of the league regarding the club’s opinion of the 6-foot-2 guard. With France’s Victor Wembanyama locked in as the No. 1 pick, Henderson and Alabama’s Brandon Miller have spent the last few months vying to be the second name on the marquee.
As of Monday, the Hornets have only hosted Henderson for a pre-draft workout, which took place on Sunday. Miller, the 2023 SEC Player of the Year, is currently slated to work out for Charlotte on Tuesday, per Charania.
With New Orleans looking to seriously pursue either of the top two picks, it stands to wonder what a possible deal would look like given the franchise has a bevy of talented players to include in a trade.
Brandon Ingram, forwards Herbert Jones and Trey Murphy III and, even, Zion Williamson could be on the move in a deal for the rights to select Henderson. Williamson, who again battled injuries, played just 29 games for a Pelicans team that finished this season 42–40 and lost in Game 1 of the play-in tournament.
