Soaring Down South
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NBA Mock Draft 4.0 — Warriors Take Wiseman First, Hawks grab LaMelo

By Dallin Duffy

WOLLONGONG, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 25: Lamelo Ball of the Hawks celebrates hitting a three point shot late in the final quarter during the round 8 NBL match between the Illawarra Hawks and the Cairns Taipans at WIN Entertainment Centre on November 25, 2019 in Wollongong, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
WOLLONGONG, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 25: Lamelo Ball of the Hawks celebrates hitting a three point shot late in the final quarter during the round 8 NBL match between the Illawarra Hawks and the Cairns Taipans at WIN Entertainment Centre on November 25, 2019 in Wollongong, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images) /
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NBA Mock Draft
SOUTH BEND, IN – MARCH 04: Devin Vassell #24 of the Florida State Seminoles is seen during the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Purcell Pavilion on March 4, 2020 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. 69. SG, Florida State. New Orleans Pelicans. Devin Vassell. 13. player

While Nesmith is lacking the defense to be a true 3-and-D wing, Vassell comes off the board right after and can be the draft’s best true 3-and-D guy. Not many players are ranked higher when it comes to perimeter defense, and Vassell can help even a contending defense as a rook.

Like Isaac Okoro, Vassell has been praised for his motor, effort plays and his defensive IQ is through the roof. In terms of counting stats, he averaged 1.6 steals and 1.0 blocks per game in less than 30 minutes per game. For someone who would be playing solid defensive minutes for a team looking to make the playoffs, he could be this year’s Matisse Thybulle.

Offensively, Vassell is a good catch-and-shoot guy but can put it on the floor when needed. He posses good length at 6-foot-7 with a 6-10 wingspan and uses it on both sides of the court. His shot releases from high above his head, a shot that found net 41 percent of the time from three.

Although he’s not a natural playmaker, he can make smart passes and isn’t afraid to pass out of a decent look for a good one.

It’s unlikely that he’ll ever be anything more than just a role player, but that’s what the Pelicans need more than anything else right now.