Footage from the Chicago draft combine is starting to leak out, including video of Corey Kispert, who is a potential draft pick for the New Orleans Pelicans.
Kispert is one of several names that often get mentioned for the Pelicans with pick #10, with Davion Mitchell being the other name often attached to the Pels.
Both make sense, as they would help fix some of the Pelicans’ glaring holes, which include defense and shooting.
Kispert is thought to be one of the best shooters in this draft and many believe that he is the best and it’s not that close. He shot 44 percent in college on a high volume, so on paper, he’s the type of player who would thrive with Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram.
There are arguments about whether he’ll be able to defend and if he is quick enough to be anything but a spot up shooter. But he has shown defensive toughness (which the Pels lack) and has good size for a wing.
Kispert added some elements to his offensive game this season, shooting a blistering 62 percent from 2-point range and improving his game in the mid-range and pick-and-roll.
But even if you are not sold on that, just check out this guy’s shot, which is about as flawless as you will find in the NBA Draft.
Pelicans draft picks: Corey Kispert’s shot looks amazing in recent video
Look, I know that there are a lot of guys who can hit shots in an empty gym and fans have long been sucked in by these types of videos.
But if you watch a lot of hoops, you’ll see pretty quickly that Kispert’s form is so pure that his shots barely touch the net.
Had a chance to watch Gonzaga's Corey Kispert work out in Chicago. Unsurprisingly showed he has one of the most pure and effortless strokes of anyone in the draft. Barely grazes the net. pic.twitter.com/sldb48b4VZ
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 24, 2021
The Pelicans obviously aren’t going to make their selection based on a video from Twitter, but Kispert is a fit in so many ways that they will definitely give him a long look if he is there at the 10th pick.
Kispert likes his fit as well. Here is what he had to say about playing with Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram:
"“I’m tailor made to play with guys like that, guys who have the ball in their hands a lot and need driving lanes to score. I’m able to put the defense in constant motion (based on shooting ability), move the furniture around and give those guys opportunities to make plays. I’m a great complement for them, to take pressure off of them. Those guys need to go out and score 20 or 25 points a night, but I’m definitely able to step in and take that scoring load off of them, obviously with my shooting and playmaking, too.”"
Corey Kispert seems like the perfect draft choice fo the New Orleans Pelicans, who desperately need the shooting, toughness and experience he can provide.