Pelicans

Can Pelicans Accelerate Rebuild With Pick No. 17?

Brian Hunter VollmanJuly 28, 20214 Mins read451

The New Orleans Pelicans stood 10th in the reverse standings based on their 2020-2021 record, with a 20.3% chance of moving up to a higher pick.

Not-So-Lucky Lottery

The odds were not in their favor, however, with a 60.6% chance of remaining where they were. And when the envelopes were opened, the No. 10 overall pick belonged to David Griffin.

VP of Basketball Ops Swin Cash was not pleased.

https://twitter.com/ComplexSports/status/1407501632183619585?s=20

July 26th

Monday afternoon, however, the first Woj bomb of draft season resulted in good news for the Pelicans.

BREAKING: Memphis is finalizing a trade to send Jonas Valanciunas and 2021 Nos. 17 and 51 picks to New Orleans for Steven Adams, Eric Bledsoe, 2021 picks Nos. 10 and 40 and a protected 2022 first-round pick via the Lakers, sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 26, 2021

This trade moved the Pelicans seven spots back in Thursday’s draft, but it also cleared $20 million in cap space, with the possibility of opening up $36 million if Josh Hart and Lonzo Ball are renounced.

Before we get into potential picks at 17, here are some of the best players selected with this slot over the last 35 years.

2019 – Nickeil Alexander-Walker
2018 – Donte DiVincenzo (2021 NBA Champ)
2013 – Dennis Schroder
2011 – Iman Shumpert (2016 NBA Champ)
2009 – Jrue Holiday (1x All-Star, 2021 NBA Champ, 3x All-Defensive Team)
2004 – Josh Smith (2009-10 All-Defensive Team)
2000 – Desmond Mason
1992 – Doug Christie (4x All-Defensive Team)
1989 – Shawn Kemp (6x All-Star, 3x All-NBA)

Perfect Picks

Corey Kispert – 6’7 220lbs (F – Gonzaga)

2020-21 Stats : 18.6 PPG / 5 RPG / 44% 3Pt

Age: 22 / NBA Comp : More-athletic Joe Harris

If Corey Kispert slips to #17, there’s no doubt he should be the Pelicans’ pick. Kispert is a match made in heaven for Zion Williamson. A sharpshooting big is exactly what is needed in the rotation after the team finished 25th in the league in three-point percentage at 34.8%.

With four seasons at Gonzaga (three starting), Corey racked up accolades including 1st Team All-American, WCC Player of the Year, 2x First Team All-WCC, and the Julius Erving Award, given to the top collegiate small forward. With the Pelicans running “Point Zion” later in the season, Williamson would drive and kick to players around the perimeter, who would either a) miss the shot or b) not attempt it. Kispert is an excellent “bail-out” type shooter as he is constantly moving around to open up the court and free himself for open shots.

In his pre-draft interviews, the Gonzaga forward expressed his thoughts on the possibility of playing for the Pelicans, specifically saying that he is “tailor-made” to play with guys like Zion.

[pickup_prop id=”9914″]

PROS

Best shooter in the draft
Great in transition
Moves to set self up for shots
Smooth and quick shooting form

CONS

Slow to get open space offensively
Can be beat off dribble by quicker players
Tends to fall back when switched onto guards
Bad turnovers

https://twitter.com/FletcherWDSU/status/1408832328873488391?s=20

Davion Mitchell – 6’1 205lbs (G – Baylor)

2020-21 Stats : 14 PPG / 5.5 APG / 1.9 SPG / 45% 3Pt

Age : 22 / NBA Comp : Jrue Holiday

Right away, the height glares out at you.

In the past 11 drafts, only five guys 6’1 or shorter have been picked with a top-ten selection. These five are Darius Garland, Trae Young, Collin Sexton, Trey Burke and Kemba Walker. Aside from Sexton, the others have been criticized for not having much of a defensive prowess.

This is not the case for 2021 National Champion Davion Mitchell. The 22-year-old not only is a great defender — averaging 1.9 SPG with a game-high of four twice — but also shoots three pointers at a 45% clip with 4.7 attempts per game.

After transferring from Auburn sophomore year, Mitchell became a two-year starter for the University of Baylor. There, he played in 60 games with a record of 54-6 and finished his collegiate career as a NCAA Champion. Mitchell also claimed the 2021 Big 12 DPOY Award, becoming the first player in school history to earn such honors. With the Eric Bledsoe trade and the potential of losing Lonzo Ball in free agency, Davion Mitchell could be a name for the Pelicans to watch for on draft night.

PROS

Creates space for shots
Quick handles
Shows playmaking (5.5 APG)
Excellent isolation defender (see Big 12 Semis)

CONS

Size
Free-throw shooting (66% in 2019-20 / 64% in 2020-21)
Loses control on drives
Lacks foul drawing abilities

Keon Johnson – 6’5 185lbs (G – Tennessee)

2020-21 Stats : 11.3 PPG / 3.5 RPG / 1.1 SPG

Age : 19 / NBA Comp : Jaylen Brown

Johnson only played one year at Tennessee, but he showed he was an NBA-caliber player in that short time. The two-time Tennessee Mr. Basketball winner led his hometown Volunteers to an 18-9 record alongside Jaden Springer (potential late first-round pick). Johnson contributed 14 points, six rebounds and three steals in the Volunteers’ first-round upset loss in the NCAA Tournament.

His performance throughout the season, however, notched him a spot on the SEC All-Freshman Team and NBA scouts took notice.

The reason Johnson would fit great with the Pelicans is simple. Defense.

The 6’5 shooting guard was one of the most aggressive defenders in college basketball this season. He was everywhere on the court, diving out of bounds to save balls, heavily pressuring the other team’s ball handlers tightly, staying attached on screens, and even blocking a shot when his back was turned away from his defender. If the Pelicans re-sign Lonzo, they would become a defensive nightmare most NBA backcourts would be terrified of.