The NBA Draft Combine has come, and now the draft is quickly approaching. Players are moving up and down draft boards, others are withdrawing from the draft and returning to college.
These are three options for the New Orleans Pelicans to explore at No. 7. These players can be strong options for the future of the Pelicans.
Three other options for the Pelicans can be found here.
Jeremiah Fears, Point Guard, Oklahoma, Freshman
The consensus surrounding the Pelicans is that a move at point guard needs to be made.
CJ McCollum has not panned out, and Dejounte Murray only played 31 games before missing the rest of the season with an Achilles injury. Looking at the guard options in the draft, there are good options, such as Jeremiah Fears.
The SEC All-Freshman led the Sooners in points (17.1) and assists (4.1) as they made it to the NCAA Tournament, losing in the first round to UConn.
A decent shooter at all three levels, he boasted 43.4% from the field and shot 28.4% from three. He will need to be more consistent from deep at the NBA level.
He is a strong defender for his size, he had 1.4 steals per game last season.
If he brings his work ethic with him to New Orleans, he has the potential to be the leader of the offense and take the Pelicans to a the next level.
Even if they move him to shooting guard next to Murray, his abilities can bring stability to the guard position for the Pelicans.
Derik Queen, Center, Maryland, Freshman
Derik Queen was the Big 10 Rookie of the Year and averaged 16.5 points, 9 rebounds, 1.9 assists on 52.6% shooting and 20% from beyond the arc.
He will need to work on his consistency as he had six games with single-digit points, and eleven total games with 15 points or lower.
Queen is a strong weak side help defender, but will need to improve at all other areas of defense. He will have to improve his paint presence to be try and grow into being a NBA anchor.
With defense being a problem for the Pelicans, he will have to come in and show the ability to learn and grow to help where they need it.
https://twitter.com/ryanhammer09/status/1927102834769596644
Trade the Pick
If the Pelicans decide that they should run the 2025-26 season with the same core and look towards free agency, trading 7 may be the best option.
Adding another star to the mix could propel the Pelicans into playoff contention. It may finally provide the spark for Zion Williamson‘s career.
An idea posted by Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman is trading CJ McCollum, Kelly Olynyk, Jordan Hawkins, No. 7, a 2027 first-round pick swap (Via MIL), and a 2029 first-round pick (top-three protected) to the Phoenix Suns for Kevin Durant.
Durant averaged 26.6 points, 6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game on 52.7% shooting and 43% from three.
His offense would be an instant improvement to the Pelicans and can still provide solid defense with 1.2 blocks per game. He would also take pressure off of Zion, as they can split the offensive load.
It would take pressure off KD to not have to contend, given New Orleans’ general perception, and it would give a boost to the Pelicans’ playoff hopes in the future.
Overall, it would be a good move for New Orleans without giving up too much future draft compensation.
Draft time is decision time for the Pelicans.
Leave a comment