The New Orleans Pelicans are in an enviable position as the NBA Draft approaches this week: They're a team with positive momentum and coming off a playoff run, yet they still get to pick in the lottery.
New Orleans owns the No. 8 overall pick via the Lakers, which was acquired in the trade of Anthony Davis two seasons ago. The Pelicans original pick will be made by the Hornets, a selection that was moved in the trade to acquire Devonte' Graham last offseason.
With a premium draft selection in hand, a roster loaded with talent and young players, and the expected return of superstar Zion WIlliamson and another first-rounder in Kira Lewis Jr., the question is more about the strategy the team chooses to employ, rather than need.
“They have options. … The team is kind of built to win now, so do you add another piece to the mix that you’ve already got, or grab a guy that maybe needs a couple years of development," said Oleh Kohsel of The Bird Writes. "Because you have time to bring him along to win slowly."
Listen to the full interview with Oleh Kohsel in the player above. Can't see the embed? Click here.
Will there be a rotation spot to be had for a rookie on this year's roster if you nab a more NBA-ready player like Bennedict Mathurin or Johnny Davis? Would it make sense to take a swing on a more unknown player like Jeremy Sochan or Shaedon Sharpe, knowing they'll be able to develop with low pressure to contribute straight away, possibly down in the G-League?
But how do the mock drafts stack up with that methodology? Here's a roundup of what people are predicting New Orleans will do when they're on the clock at No. 8 later this week.
━━
NBAMOCKDRAFT DOT NET
No. 8, Pelicans: Shaedon Sharpe, SG, Kentucky
- Year: Freshman
- Measurables: 6-8, 200 pounds
- 2021-'22 stats: n/a
- Why: n/a
Click here for more
━━
CBS SPORTS (David Cobb)
No. 8, Pelicans: Dyson Daniels, SG, G League Ignite
- Year: n/a
- Measurables: 6-8, 195 pounds
- 2021-'22 stats: 11.3 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 4.4 apg, 25.5% 3pt
- Why: "Pelicans have the appetite for a long-term play on the heels of a playoff appearance, Daniels has tremendous two-way upside."
Click here for more
━━
CBS SPORTS (Kyle Boone)
No. 8, Pelicans: AJ Griffin, SF, Duke
- Year: Freshman
- Measurables: 6-6, 222 pounds
- 2021-'22 stats: 10.4 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 1 apg, 44.7% 3pt
- Why: "In Griffin they add one of the best wing shooters in the draft who has legitimate star potential if he's able to find his old high school form and stay healthy."
Click here for more
━━
SPORTSNAUT
No. 8, Pelicans: Dyson Daniels, SG, G League Ignite
- Year: n/a
- Measurables: 6-8, 195 pounds
- 2021-'22 stats: 11.3 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 4.4 apg, 25.5% 3pt
- Why: "Coming off a surprise playoff appearance, New Orleans can afford to take a chance on someone with Daniels’ upside."
Click here for more
━━
MYNBADRAFT DOT COM
No. 8, Pelicans: AJ Griffin, SF, Duke
- Year: Freshman
- Measurables: 6-6, 222 pounds
- 2021-'22 stats: 10.4 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 1 apg, 44.7% 3pt
- Why: n/a
Click here for more
━━
TANKATHON
No. 8, Pelicans: Bennedict Mathurin, SG, Arizona
Year: Sophomore
Measurables: 6-6, 205 pounds
2021-'22 stats: 17.7 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 2.5 apg
Why? n/a
Click here for more
━━
YAHOO! SPORTS (Krysten Peek)
No. 8, Pelicans: Bennedict Mathurin, SG, Arizona
- Year: sophomore
- Measurables: 6-6, 205 pounds
- 2021-'22 stats: 17.7 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 2.5 apg
- Why: "Mathurin is a guard that can play and defend positions all along the perimeter and could be an instant plug-and-play guy at the next level with his size and scoring versatility."
Click here for more
━━
WALTERFOOTBALL
No. 8, Pelicans: Johnny Davis, SF, Wisconsin
- Year: Sophomore
- Measurables: 6-9, 195 pounds
- 2021-'22 stats: 19.7 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 2.1 apg, 30.6% 3pt
- Why: "The Pelicans could use another wing to go along with Brandon Ingram, and the prospect from the Land Down Under could help fill that void."
Click here for more
━━
SPORTS ILLUSTRATED (Jeremy Woo)
No. 8, Pelicans: Shaedon Sharpe, SG, Kentucky
- Year: Freshman
- Measurables: 6-8, 200 pounds
- 2021-'22 stats: n/a
- Why: "New Orleans is in a pretty flexible position with this pick, but if Sharpe were to unexpectedly slip, this would be a low-pressure situation for him to develop his game."
Click here for more
━━
FOX SPORTS (Jason McIntyre)
No. 8, Pelicans: Tari Eason, F, LSU
- Year: sophomore
- Measurables: 6-8, 216 pounds
- 2021-'22 stats: 16.9 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 1 apg, 35.9% 3pt
- Why: "As long as he checks out off the court, expect Eason to rise during the process. He would fit neatly next to Zion Williamson."
Click here for more
━━
SPORTING NEWS (Kyle Irving)
No. 8, Pelicans: Johnny Davis, SF, Wisconsin
- Year: Sophomore
- Measurables: 6-9, 195 pounds
- 2021-'22 stats: 19.7 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 2.1 apg, 30.6% 3pt
- Why: "Davis is the exact type of poised guard the Pelicans could use — he's a competitive defender, a strong shot creator and adds a physical presence on the perimeter. Slide him in with a core of Zion Williamson, CJ McCollum, Brandon Ingram and Jonas Valanciunas and there will be something special brewing in New Orleans."
Click here for more





