Pelicans NBA Draft 2021: 5 players New Orleans should avoid

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Chris Duarte #5 of the Oregon Ducks (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

Pelicans draft picks: NBA Draft prospects to avoid, Chris Duarte

If you read Pelican Debrief regularly, then you know Duarte is a player I’ve mentioned a few times as a possible fit for the Pelicans.

I do think that is true, as Duarte is a 6-foot-6 shooting guard who can make shots from all over and is a pretty good defender.

But he’s also 24-years-old, which would make him one of the oldest players on the Pelicans as a rookie.

That is not necessarily a bad thing, as the Pels could use a guy who is ready to come in and contribute, but there are other guys who might be available in that range who could be just as good and are considerably younger.

I really like Trey Murphy III out of Virginia, who is taller than Duarte, also a very good shooter and happens to be three years younger. I love Duarte as an early second-round pick, but think he might be a reach for the 17th pick.