New Orleans Pelicans: 2019 NBA Draft grades
By James Grieco
No. 35 pick: Marcos Louzada Silva
The Pelicans went international with their lone second round pick. At 20 years old, Marcos Louzada Silva likely won’t come to the U.S. just yet, allowing New Orleans to monitor the 6’5” small forward’s progress in his native Brazil.
No. 35 may have been a bit high, but Silva played well at the Nike Hoop Summit, where he solidified his chances of being drafted. His best-case scenario is to become a bench 3-and-D wing, which seems possible given the right trajectory.
No. 35 Pick: Marcos Louzada Silva
— NBA.com/Stats (@nbastats) June 21, 2019
Reliable set shooter from international three-point range. 41% of his shots in the half court were catch and shoot jumpers. Scored 1.347 points per jump shot in the half court [92nd percentile].
Full Scouting Report: https://t.co/Y6aWVxIey5 pic.twitter.com/86LgfwEAqc
Funnily enough, in some write-ups Silva was described as a “Brazilian Josh Hart,” noting his natural shooting stroke and his propensity to battle on defense. Whether he ever contributes as much to winning in New Orleans as Josh Hart does is yet to be seen, but it isn’t a bad hook for a second-rounder.
The Pelicans are still light on frontcourt depth, but nobody in the second round is ever guaranteed to contribute right away, and with future superstar Zion Williamson in tow, taking a gamble on a guy like Bol Bol, who will likely be out of the league in five years, wasn’t necessary at all.
Grade: B