NBA Mock Drafts Project Different Picks For Pelicans

National mock drafts disagree on the New Orleans Pelicans' draft selection at No. 14.

Author:
Terry Kimble
May 24, 2023 2:31 PM EDT

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NEW ORLEANS — New Orleans has the No. 14 overall selection on June 22 of the 2023 NBA Draft in Brooklyn — decisions regarding keeping the pick or trading it for veteran help are ongoing. New Orleans could look for some frontcourt help considering the logjam of guards and wing players on the roster.

With the draft order finalized, many national media outlets are releasing their mock drafts. The consensus No. 1 pick Victor Wembanyama is considered a once-in-a-lifetime player and will be heading to the San Antonio Spurs. Picks 2 and 3 line up to be Brandon Miller and Scoot Henderson. After that, the mock drafts vary differently, especially for the Pelicans at Pick 14. Here are a few draft predictions for the New Orleans Pelicans.

Yahoo! Sports: G Jalen Hood-Schifino

Ht./Wt.: 6-6, 215 pounds | Class: Freshman | Indiana

Hood-Schifino is a strong guard with great feel who extended his game past the 3-point line and improved his read off the screen. He plays bigger than his size and has a quicker first step off the dribble than what meets the eye. Hood-Schifino had a slow ascent to a potential lottery option after battling a minor back injury to start the season. He hit his groove late in the season and was the No. 1 option in Indiana's offense to close out the season.

Fox Sports: G Nick Smith

Ht./Wt.: 6-5, 185 pounds | Class: Freshman | Arkansas

The final pick of the lottery represents this class in a lot of ways. I think New Orleans or a team right around them will take the shot on Smith, who was the No. 1 ranked recruit by 247 Sports in the 2022 class — a knee injury sidelined the Razorbacks freshman phenom from ever finding rhythm at the college level.

Smith has something to prove in the evaluation period, but his offensive skill set and shotmaking ability give him plenty of intrigue. There's a high degree of range with where Smith could get selected, hence why he rounds out the lottery.

Nick Smith, Jr. — Mar 23, 2023; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks guard Nick Smith Jr. (3) passes the ball against the UConn Huskies during the first half at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Bleacher Report: SG/SF Jett Howard

Ht./Wt.: 6-8, 215 pounds | Class: Freshman | Michigan

Look for the Pelicans to explore trading out of No. 14, given their surplus of guards, wings and forwards and their win-now mentality. This is a best-player-available spot on the board, and Howard figures to be appealing for almost everyone with his coveted mix of 6'8" size and shooting versatility.

CBS Sports: F Kris Murray

Ht./Wt.: 6-8, 220 pounds | Class: Junior| Iowa

Murray had a breakout season for Iowa averaging north of 20 points per game while showing off range as a 3-point shooter. He's a combo forward who brings versatility, polish and size, all assets for a team looking to surround Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram with weapons.

The Athletic: G Kobe Bufkin

Ht./Wt.: 6-5, 195 pounds | Class: Sophomore | Michigan

The Pelicans could certainly use more young backcourt depth. They took Dyson Daniels last year. Bufkin profiles really well next to CJ McCollum and Daniels long term as a solid defender who mixes scoring and passing at a solid level. It’s also not impossible that the team looks to shore up some depth in the frontcourt as Jonas Valančiūnas continues to get older and Zion Williamson remains an injury risk. But there aren’t a ton of great options available in this regard at this point.

The NBA Draft Combine has just finished in Chicago. Observing which players climb or drop in the rankings leading up to next month's draft will be intriguing.