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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Buddy Hield, New Orleans Pelicans
(Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Like many on this list, shooting guard Buddy Hield‘s time with the Pelicans was short. Though the Pelicans liked him enough to take him No. 6 overall in the 2016 NBA Draft, the 2016 National Player of the Year with the Oklahoma Sooners wouldn’t stick with the team that drafted for his entire rookie campaign.

Hield was actually a solid rookie for the brief time he spent in New Orleans. He would make the 2017 NBA All-Rookie First Team during his split tenure with the Pelicans. Overall, Hield averaged 8.6 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game in 20.4 minutes per contest with New Orleans. However, he would only spend 57 games with the team that drafted him. Hield would be shipped to the Sacramento Kings after the end of the 2017 NBA All-Star Game in New Orleans.

He was the key piece that went to the Kings in the blockbuster DeMarcus Cousins deal. Cousins was informed mid-press conference during said All-Star Game that he was traded from Sacramento to the Pelicans. The perpetual chaos in Sacramento did a number on Boogie’s reputation. He seems to have calmed down considerably since arriving with the Pelicans. That being said, he did suffer a season-ending Achilles injury during his first full season in New Orleans in 2018.

As for Hield, he has been a solid sixth man coming off Dave Joerger’s bench in Sacramento. So far, Hield has appeared in 105 career games with the Kings, making 30 starts. He is averaging 13.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game in 26.2 minutes per contest. The Kings are still terrible, but Hield is showing promise for why he was such a coveted lottery pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.