2022 NBA Draft prospects for the Pelicans if they stay in the top-10

The New Orleans Pelicans will be watching the Los Angeles Lakers closely in the home stretch for a couple of reasons.

The Pels are currently chasing the Lakers for the 9th seed in the Western Conference and still have two more head-to-head matchups.

The Pelicans will also get to keep the Lakers’ 2022 NBA Draft pick if it falls in the top-10, which is looking like a possibility the way the Lakers have been playing lately.

The dream ending would see the Pelicans in the playoffs and the Lakers in the bottom 10 of the league so the Pels can keep their pick. Here are few prospects to consider if New Orleans does end up in the top-10 of the 2022 NBA Draft.

New Orleans Pelicans draft: 2022 NBA Draft prospects

Here’s a quick look at some of the guys the Pels would consider around the ten range if they do keep their pick.

Tari Eason: Forward, LSU

Eason has been rocketing up draft boards lately and a lot of scouts think he’ll go in the lottery. The Pelicans are building an identity around defense right now and Eason would add to that as a 6-foot-8 forward who can get after it on the defensive end.

He would add another Herbert Jones type player who can make an impact without having the ball in his hands, which is the type of players the Pelicans need around Brandon Ingram, CJ McCollum and hopefully soon, Zion Williamson.

Eason averages 16.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, two steals and a block per game. He’s a competent 3-point shooter and should be ready to play right away, as he is already 21-years-old.

Bennedict Mathurin, Shooting guard, Arizona

The Pelicans have three small guards in Devonte’ Graham, Jose Alvarado and Kira Lewis Jr., so adding another tall wing to go with Trey Murphy III and Naji Marshall would give New Orleans more balance.

Mathurin can score, he’s a good rebounder for the position, and he’s another guy who can get after it on defense. He has good size at 6-foot-7 and projects as a guy who should be able to defend a couple of positions.

Jalen Duren, Memphis

Jalen Duren is a 6-foot-11, 250 lb. center who would give the Pelicans more size and rim protection.

He has a massive wingspan, averages 2.3 blocks and a steal per game, and like Eason, could make an impact without shooting or having the ball in his hands.

Duren will be just 18 at the time of the draft, so he’ll be a project, but that’s ok, as the Pelicans already have a young big in Jaxson Hayes. Duren is bigger, stronger and more physical than Hayes already, so the two of them could potentially play together down the road, especially as Hayes continues to do well at the four.

The New Orleans Pelicans will need some help to end up with a draft pick, but if they do, there are plenty of players in this range who could help fill needs and make an impact off the bench next season.