New Orleans Pelicans: Kira Lewis Jr. having a quietly solid rookie season

Kira Lewis Jr. was a somewhat surprising draft pick for the New Orleans Pelicans, as many thought they would try to snag a defensive-minded wing instead.

His name is not going to be mentioned among those in the running for Rookie of the Year, and his stat lines aren’t going to jump off the page, but Kira Lewis Jr. has quietly had a very solid rookie season for the Pelicans.

He earned a regular spot in the rotation early in the season and has gotten more run as injuries have ravaged the Pelicans’ bench. Most didn’t expect Lewis Jr. to have much if any impact this season and if there had been a regular G-League, he might have been in it.

Instead he’s been with the New Orleans Pelicans all season, has earned minutes and the respect of his teammates with his work ethic.

New Orleans Pelicans: Kira Lewis Jr.’s teammates appreciate his professionalism

In a recent interview with Jim Eichenhofer, Kira Lewis Jr. explained the professionalism and work ethic that set him apart from most 19-year-olds, saying:

"“I know exactly what I want to be, I want to reach my maximum potential as a basketball player and as a person as well. So, it’s stuff I’ve been doing my whole life, like second nature because of the way my parents brought me up – being on time, being respectful of people’s time, and whatever you do, do it the best of your ability. So, it’s something that I’ve always been doing my whole life.”"

This was in response to Brandon Ingram saying he was impressed with the way the rookie has carried himself this season.

Aside from doing and saying all the right things, Lewis Jr. has averaged 6.2 points and 2.3 assists in just 16 minutes a game while turning the ball over just .6 times, good for a nearly 4:1 assist to turnover ratio.

This is big for a team that has problems taking care of the ball and what makes it even more impressive is that Kira Lewis Jr. is doing this as teenage point guard who didn’t have an offseason, Summer League or full training camp to prepare.

This has to get fans of the New Orleans Pelicans excited for what he can be and his solid play might make it easier for the Pelicans to move on from Lonzo Ball if they decide to pass on his next big contract.