Pelicans Scoop

Pelicans Hope to Reverse Bad Recent History of the No. 14 Pick

The No. 14 selection recently has not been kind to NBA teams. Can the Pelicans change that?

Terry Kimble

Pelicans Hope to Reverse Bad Recent History of the No. 14 Pick
Pelicans Hope to Reverse Bad Recent History of the No. 14 Pick /
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New Orleans, La - Recent history of the No. 14 selection has not been a good one for NBA teams. On Tuesday night, the New Orleans Pelicans learned their NBA Draft fate. The team will select No. 14 in the upcoming NBA Draft in Brooklyn on June 22. While New Orleans mathematically had a 0.5% chance of winning the lottery and getting the top overall pick, the Pelicans figured to be in this position. In franchise history, the Pelicans have never selected at the 14th pick.

Questions linger heading up to the draft whether the Pelicans will keep the pick or ship it off for some immediate help for the team. New Orleans owns seven first-round draft picks over the next three years, including a pick swap with the Lakers for the Anthony Davis trade to L.A. and the Jrue Holiday trade to the Milwaukee Bucks. The Pelicans don't want to be just a farmhouse for young talent. Those picks must produce or be used for veterans who can.

By keeping the pick, New Orleans will look to avoid the recent history of misfortune with the No. 14 pick in the draft. Since 1998 there have been 25 players selected at that pick. Of the 25, only one player has made an All-Star appearance (Bam Adebayo). There have only been two players in that group to make an All-Rookie team the year they were selected. None of the players chosen have won an NBA championship.

David Griffin
May 14, 2019; Chicago, IL, USA; NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum (left) poses for a photo with New Orleans Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin after revealing the number one pick during the 2019 NBA Draft Lottery at the Hilton Chicago. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports

The No. 15 pick, in comparison, has yielded better results. Analyzing the same period shows this group had five players make their All-Rookie team, three different players have won championships, and three players have made the All-NBA team. 

Shooting is a top priority for New Orleans to address this off-season. While they had a respectable shooting percentage this season at 36.4% (14th in NBA), they were second to last in the league in three-point shot attempts. Finding playmakers to create shot attempts from beyond the arc within the offense is what the team needs to take themselves to the next level.

Early mock drafts have the Pelicans addressing just that. Names like Brice Sensabaugh and Jordan Hawkins have emerged as players with a chance for selection by the Pelicans. Both players specialize in three-point shooting and could provide a much-needed punch in that area. 

June 22 is quickly approaching, and the Pelicans have a decision to make. Trade the pick for a proven veteran, or stand pat and hope the young player can contribute. The No. 14 pick hasn't historically been kind to NBA teams, but the Pelicans hope the ball bounces in their favor this time.

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Terry Kimble
TERRY KIMBLE

Pelicans Scoop Writer

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