The New Orleans Pelicans seem to have turned a page. Instead of trading their pick for a veteran, the team elected to draft Buddy Hield, a senior from Oklahoma with seemingly limitless range. With reports surfacing months ago that Eric Gordon, the polarizing centerpiece of the seemingly doomed Chris Paul trade, will not be returning, there is an opportunity for Hield to start from day one, and the Pelicans should consider this scenario.
There is a lot said about the idea of tossing rookies into the proverbial fire. Questions arise over whether it helps them develop quicker or if he hinders their development, but these musings often miss the point in the same way most sports analysis does: these players are living breathing humans and every situation is unique.