New Orleans Pelicans: 2 prospects dominate NBA Mock Drafts for the Pels

The New Orleans Pelicans are currently slotted to choose 10th in the upcoming NBA Draft, though that could certainly change in the lottery.

The Pelicans do have a 20.3 percent chance at a top-four pick and a 4.5 percent chance at number one overall, so it is not unthinkable that they will move up, as they did when they lucked out and got Zion Williamson in the 2019 NBA Draft.

But it’s most likely that the Pelicans will choose around 10th, so most current NBA mock drafts have them choosing there.

The Pelicans have a lot of glaring problems that need fixed, most notably with their defense and 3-point shooting, which were both near the bottom of the league this season.

I looked at nine mock drafts to try and get a consensus about which players media outlets liked for the Pelicans and there were two guys who got most of the votes.

I looked at tankathon, CBS Sports, USA Today, Bleacher Report, NBA Draft.net, ESPN, NBA Draft Room, NBC Sports and The Ringer and eight of the nine chose one of two prospects.

One addresses the defense, while the other the 3-point shooting.

New Orleans Pelicans Draft: Corey Kispert is the top shoooter

Four of the nine NBA Mock Drafts I looked at chose Corey Kispert from Gonzaga as the right prospect for the Pelicans.

This makes sense, as the Pelicans will look to improve upon their 25th ranked 3-point shooting percentage and Kispert might be the best shooter in the draft.

He shot 44 percent from long range and looks like a guy who will come in and be able to contribute right away, as he is 22-years-old and has NBA range.

New Orleans Pelicans: Davion Mitchell can help the defense

Davion Mitchell from Baylor was also chosen four times out of the nine NBA mock drafts I surveyed.

This choice also makes a lot of sense, as Mitchell is considered one of the best on-the-ball defenders in this draft and probably improved his stock with a strong showing in the NCAA tournament.

Like Kispert, Mitchell also shot 44 percent from long range on pretty good volume, so he should be able to contribute on both ends for the Pelicans off the bench and would be a nice complement to Kira Lewis Jr.

ESPN was the only of the nine outlets that did not choose Kispert or Mitchell, instead going with forward Franz Wagner out of Michigan. Wagner makes some sense as fit with Zion Williamson, as he can play a couple of spots and has a very versatile offensive game from the forward position.

The New Orleans Pelicans need to find a way to turn this draft into some impact talent, either through choosing a player who can help one of their weaknesses or by trading the pick for a proven veteran.