New Orleans Pelicans: Revisiting the 2017 NBA Draft

The 2016-17 New Orleans Pelicans were a lottery team, just without a lottery selection. Let’s revisit the 2017 NBA Draft and see how things transpired.

DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis had a legitimate opportunity to be the most intimidating frontcourt in the NBA. However, nagging injuries once again derailed what could have been for the New Orleans Pelicans. A little past the midway point of the 2016-17 season, the team traded for Cousins, sending away their first-round pick that upcoming draft in the process.

Again, this duo could have been great. But in his time spent in the Big Easy, Cousins only played 65 out of a possible 107 games after the trade was made. The 2017 draft pick that was sent in the trade ultimately culminated in the 10th overall selection due to the Pelicans lackluster 34-48 campaign.

Zach Collins was chosen 10th overall that draft, and though he was showcased his worth in this year’s playoff run—he’s not exactly a can’t miss talent. The 2017 NBA Draft was really hit or miss in the lottery, just like many drafts before it. Players like Josh Jackson and Frank Ntilikina went in the Top 8, while Donovan Mitchell slipped to 13th.

Markelle Fultz went first overall, and we’ve seen how that’s gone thus far. The newest addition to the Pelicans, Lonzo Ball, went second followed by Jayson Tatum at third overall. All three players have had their fair share of struggles so far, some more than others, but Tatum and Ball, in particular, have shown promise.

De’Aaron Fox went fifth and has improved with each passing season, ushering in a new era for the Kings alongside ex-Pelican, Buddy Hield. Hield was sent over in the trade for Cousins and has emerged as one of the bright young stars in the league. In the grand scheme of things, he was a price to pay to acquire the superstar.

Cousins did play incredibly well in New Orleans, averaging 25.0 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 5.0 assists. But in the summer of 2018, he signed with the Golden State Warriors in an attempt to win a ring. Adding insult to injury, the Warriors knocked the Pelicans out of the playoffs in the 17/18 season and Cousins was injured for the series. They did manage to win a game, perhaps if Cousins was healthy they may have stretched the series further.

Might be far-fetched, but in an alternate universe, Davis and Cousins are still teammates and are terrorizing the league. But hey, if that were the case, we wouldn’t have Zion Williamson, David Griffin, Aaron Nelson, Trajan Langdon, and this overwhelmingly bright future, would we? Sometimes in life, things have a funny way of working out.

Alright, back to the 2017 NBA Draft. The Pelicans had two selections at 40th overall and 52nd and went with Dwayne Bacon and Edmond Sumner, respectively. Sticking with their trend of never utilizing their second-round prospects, the Pelicans traded away Bacon for you guessed it, cash considerations!

Edmond Sumner would follow suit and also be traded. I can’t make this up, you already know what the Pelicans got in return. Dell Demps and cash consideration are forever united at the hip.