Who the New Orleans Pelicans Should Have Drafted Every Year Since 2003
We’re taking a look back at the New Orleans Pelicans draft history to see what they should have done in every draft since they arrived in the Big Easy.
Like all NBA teams, the New Orleans Pelicans have a spotty draft history. They’ve had some big hits, but have missed far more often.
It takes a lot of luck to get a superstar in the draft.
Not only do you have to please the lottery Gods and get a top pick after suffering through a losing season, but there has to be a superstar and you must identify him.
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This is not as easy as it sounds.
Ask the Detroit Pistons, who chose Darko Milicic in 2004 with the second pick instead of some guys named Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and Carmelo Anthony.
Ask the first 14 teams in the 2013 NBA Draft about a dude named Giannis Antetokounmpo, especially the Cavaliers, who took Anthony Bennett, a guy that averaged 12.2 points in the G-League last year.
A quick look at any year of the NBA Draft and you’ll find plenty of picks that teams wish they could do again.
Even all of the statistics and advanced metrics can’t stop teams from getting it wrong most of the time.
The New Orleans Pelicans’ draft history is interesting, as the team has hit some homeruns but has also missed a few times on guys that now seem obvious.
They have chosen some nice role players, a few foundational superstars and a whole lot of guys that never amounted to much.
The Pelicans arrived in New Orleans as the Hornets and remained so until 2014, when they changed to the fearsome feathered dinosaur we all know and love today.
It’s been quite a draft ride for the New Orleans Pelicans.
Let’s take a look back and see who the New Orleans Pelicans should have drafted every year since they first came to the Big Easy.