Mock draft shows Duke basketball player as lottery pick to Pelicans
Dereck Lively II and Dariq Whitehead, likely the only Blue Devils to hear their names at the NBA Draft on June 22, arrived for their Duke basketball freshman campaigns at No. 1 and 2 on the 247Sports 2022 Composite and as projected 2023 lottery picks. But their stocks fell after preseason injuries stymied their adjustment to the college game.
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That said, they improved as the season progressed, with each showing off a specialty that NBA teams desire. Lively, now 19 years old, became one of the nation's most formidable rim protectors, averaging 4.7 blocks per 40 minutes, while Whitehead, 18, turned in the 2022-23 Blue Devils' best 3-point percentage (42.9).
Given their undeniable potential, albeit relatively untapped, it's no surprise that some mock drafts now see them both being among the first 20 names off the board.
And this week's mock draft from Complex Sports has Lively back to being among the 14 projected lottery picks. It has him going No. 14 to the New Orleans Pelicans and Whitehead going No. 22 to the Brooklyn Nets.
The Pelicans, who already have two Duke basketball talents on contract in Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson, could receive a top-four pick via the NBA Draft Lottery on May 16. Chances are they won't, though, and will end up at No. 14 since they finished with the best record among non-playoff teams this year.
Of course, it is still anyone's guess when Dereck Lively II and Dariq Whitehead will hear their names and which franchises will draft them. Much depends on their measurements and performances at the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago, May 15-21.
Even so, it's always fun to ponder more NBA Blue Devils teaming up.
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In this case, it'd be Lively joining Ingram and Williamson in New Orleans and Whitehead playing alongside former Duke basketball sharpshooter Seth Curry in Brooklyn. However, it's worth noting Curry is an unrestricted free agent this summer.
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