Pre-Draft Outlook
Coming off a disappointing 21-61 season — and being hit by a rash of season-ending injuries to Dejounte Murray, Herb Jones and Trey Murphy III — the Pelicans may look very different next fall with Joe Dumars replacing David Griffin to run basketball operations. Zion Williamson (who played only 30 games last season) and Dumars were New Orleans’ reps at the Draft Lottery, which saw the Pelicans drop to the No. 7 pick to begin to reshape their roster. They also acquired the No. 23 pick in a June trade with Indiana.
The Way To Go
With the Pelicans roster likely undergoing an upheaval this offseason, pinpointing a player based on team needs is a bit difficult. However, there is one skill that all teams can’t get enough of in today’s game: shooting. That’s why Duke guard Kon Knueppel will be a coveted pick in the top 10 of this year’s Draft — perhaps going top seven to New Orleans.
— Brian Martin
Here’s a quick look at New Orleans’ current roster entering the Draft:
Under Contract
G: Jose Alvarado
G: Jordan Hawkins
G: CJ McCollum
G: Dejounte Murray
G: Lester Quinones
G: Antonio Reeves
F: Herbert Jones
F: Trey Murphy III
F: Zion Williamson
F/C: Karlo Matković
F/C: Kelly Olynyk
C: Yves Missi
Free Agents
G: Brandon Boston
G: Elfrid Payton
G/F: Bruce Brown
F: Keion Brooks Jr.
F: Jamal Cain
F: Jeremiah Robinson-Earl