Pelicans draft: 3 prospects to watch in the NCAA Final Four

The New Orleans Pelicans inched closer to the play-in tournament after last night’s win over the Lakers and also increased the odds that they get to keep their 2022 NBA Draft pick.

The pick is coming from the Lakers but the Pels only keep it if it stays in the top-10, the odds of which increase dramatically if New Orleans finishes in the 9th seed.

The Pelicans currently hold a three game lead over the Lakers and a two game lead over the Spurs, and if things finished this way they’d be almost guaranteed to keep their pick.

The Pels would have roughly a 99.5 percent chance of staying in the top-10, with a 26.2 percent chance of landing in the top-4, which would be the dream scenario.

If their own pick were to land in the top-4, they’d get to keep that one as well, so this draft has the chance to be huge for the Pelicans depending on how the ping pong balls land.

There are three players in tonight’s NCAA Final Four games that could be on the Pelicans’ radar if they do end up with a draft pick or two in the 2022 NBA Draft.

Pelicans draft: 3 prospects to watch in the NCAA Final Four

Ochai Agbaji: Shooting guard, Kansas

The Pelicans could use a boost of 3-point shooting and Agbaji is a guy who knocks them down at nearly 40 percent on high volume for Kansas.

He has good size for the position at 6-foot-5, 214 lbs. and would potentially give the Pels another 3-point weapon off the bench, which they could use.

He’s also a senior and will be 22-years-old at the time of the draft, so much like Jose Alvrado, could potentially come in and play right away as he will have a lot more experience than most rookies.

He might be a reach in the top-10, but he’s a guy who would fill some needs for the Pelicans, who have too many small guards that can’t shoot from long range.

AJ Griffin: Forward, Duke

Griffin is another guy who could potentially provide 3-point shooting around Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson.

He is knocking down 45 percent from long range on over four attempts per game and is a guy most scouts and experts have going in the top-10, if not the top-5. He’ll be one of the younger players in the draft and has a ton of upside as a two-way wing.

Paolo Banchero: Forward, Duke

The Pelicans would almost certainly have to jump into the top three or four in the 2022 NBA Draft to have a shot at Banchero, who has been impressive in the tournament and will likely be considered for the number one pick.

He has a nice combination of size, skill and athleticism, is a very good passer for his size and would give the Pelicans another big playmaker.

This would be a dream scenario, as Banchero could end up being the best player in this class, and has a skillset that is almost guaranteed to translate into impact minutes right away in the NBA.

The New Orleans Pelicans have a chance to be big-time players in the 2022 NBA Draft and will have one eye on the NCAA Tournament as they continue their push for the play-in.