Pelica Debrief
Fansided

New Orleans Pelicans: 15 best draft picks of all-time

By John Buhler

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MARCH 24: New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul #3 looks on during the game against the Utah Jazz at EnergySolutions Arena on March 24, 2011 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The New Orleans won 121-117. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2011 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MARCH 24: New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul #3 looks on during the game against the Utah Jazz at EnergySolutions Arena on March 24, 2011 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The New Orleans won 121-117. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2011 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Marcus Vinicius, New Orleans Hornets
(Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images) /

. SF. Objetivo Sao Carlos (Brazil), 2006 (No. 43). Marcus Vinicius. 13. player. 69

Given the way that second-round picks have gone historically in NBA Drafts, you never really know what you are going to get after pick No. 30. For every Manu Ginobili, there are guys that never play in the NBA. Since he did play part of two seasons with the Hornets, of course Marcus Vinicius makes this list. We are now in draft picks that have played for the Hornets/Pelicans territory, so don’t look back.

New Orleans took Vinicius with the No. 43 overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft out of Brazil. He was better known as Marquinhos during his professional career in his home country. After playing mostly in Brazil, Vinicius would come to the States to play for the Hornets when they were wrapping up their residency in Oklahoma City.

Vinicius only played in 26 games for New Orleans/Oklahoma City over two seasons. He averaged just 1.9 points, 0.7 rebounds and 0.3 assists in 6.6 minuter per contest during his NBA career. Vinicius would spend time with the then Tulsa 66ers in the NBA D-League in 2006-07. He would be traded to the division rival Memphis Grizzlies in 2008 in the Bonzi Wells/Bobby Jackson three-team deal involving New Orleans, Memphis and the Houston Rockets.

Vinicius would be waived by the Grizzlies two days after this deal was made. He would make his triumphant return to his native Brazil in 2008, where he would play for Pinheiros and Flamengo. While he would win multiple NBB MVP awards since going back home, Vinicius’ NBA tenure simply does not resonate. But he did play for this young NBA franchise after being drafted by it, so he makes the cut for now.