The New Orleans Pelicans will likely be choosing at the back end of the lottery in the NBA Draft unless a miracle happens and they either make the playoffs or get lucky with the ping pong balls.
The Pels currently have the 11th-worst record in the NBA, which gives them a 9.4 percent chance at landing in the top-four and just a two percent chance at the number one pick overall.
If the Pelicans end up in the lottery, they are obviously hoping that they buck the odds and land a top pick as they did in 2019, getting superstar Zion Williamson in the process.
But if things go to scratch, the Pels will be choosing somewhere between 10-14, which should still give them a chance to find impact talent.
Luckily, the perfect prospect should be there waiting for them, and that player is Corey Kispert.
New Orleans Pelicans: The Pelicans need shooters
Kispert may not have the highest ceiling in this draft but he has one of the highest floors, as he already has an NBA-ready skill.
I’ve written about how the Pels need to find a player with an elite skill, and Kispert has one when it comes to his shooting.
He is an efficient scorer who shot 44 percent from long range this season as well as 52 percent from the floor overall. Considering most of his shot are jumpers, this is incredibly efficient.
The Pelicans already have a very good offense but need more players who can shoot and spread the floor for Zion Williamson. This will especially be true after teams have a full offseason to watch film of point Zion and figure out ways to try and stop him.
Zion is already a very good passer but right now doesn’t have many guys to kick out to, especially with Lonzo Ball out with injury. Kispert would give them that consistent shooter off the bench that they’ve been lacking all season.
New Orleans Pelicans: Corey Kispert is ready to play now
Some teams are loathe to take upperclassmen, especially ones that are 22-years-old, but that should be part of his appeal for the Pelicans.
The Pels already have plenty of young, high ceiling talent in Kira Lewis Jr., Jaxson Hayes and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, so they could really use a guy who comes out of college ready to contribute right now.
The Pels’ young players are still developing and the last thing they need is another guy who has nebulous “talent” but isn’t ready to contribute.
Zion Williamson isn’t going to last forever and the Pels can’t keep drafting guys who might be good three years from now, they need a guy who is ready to play.
Corey Kispert should be the Pelicans’ draft range
Depending on where the Pelicans end up choosing, Kispert should be right in their range. Of course, if the Pels luck out and jump into the top five, then this changes everything, as this year’s draft has five guys who are considered a tier above the rest.
But if they stay in the 10-14 range, Kispert should be there, although there are some teams like the Kings, who will likely choose ahead of the Pelicans have have similar needs.
There is a good chance Kispert will be there when the Pels choose.
Because of his NBA-ready shooting, experience and draft status, Corey Kispert could be the perfect fit with Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans.