New Orleans Pelicans NBA Mock Draft: Finding the next Nikola Jokic

Nikola Jokic shows New Orleans Pelicans that passing more important than shooting (Photo by Kim Klement-Pool/Getty Images)
Nikola Jokic shows New Orleans Pelicans that passing more important than shooting (Photo by Kim Klement-Pool/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
7 of 23
Next
New Orleans Pelicans,
New Orleans Pelicans, /

New Orleans Pelicans NBA Mock Draft: #6 Pick

player. 125. Scouting Report. Tyrese Haliburton. 6. Pick Analysis. Point Guard / Iowa State. Atlanta Hawks

Atlanta is in an interesting position, as they have an exciting young core to which they recently added power forward Clint Capela. They are also one of my favorite landing places for Jrue Holiday in a trade.

The Hawks may feel they are set in the frontcourt, as they have Capela, center Dewayne Dedmon and power forward John Collins all under contract for next year.

The Hawks will likely take a guard here, but which one depends on how they see the future for young star point guard Trae Young. Young is currently second in the NBA in assists and has shown the ability to make his teammates better.

The Hawks could ultimately decide that Young’s future is playing more off the ball, in which case Tyrese Haliburton would be a good choice.

Haliburton is probably the best passer in this draft class, but his shot needs work, so this pick will come down to whether the Hawks feel he is a good fit alongside Young.

Haliburton’s ability to facilitate the offense would take some of the ball-handling pressure off Young and allow him to look for his own shot.

If the Hawks decide to keep Young in his current role, then they might take a chance on more of a scorer or defender.