New Orleans Pelicans: 3 options for the 8th pick in the 2022 NBA Draft

Options for the New Orleans Pelicans in the 2022 NBA Draft

Option #3: Try to use the pick to trade up

If the New Orleans Pelicans identified a guy that they really liked but didn’t think was going to be there at 8, they could try to package the pick with a player and a future pick to move up.

A package of Jaxson Hayes, the 8th pick and a future 1st-round pick might be enough to move up a few spots if there is a guy who the Pelicans feel is too good to pass up.

That could be a player like Shaedon Sharpe, who would be the perfect type of high-ceiling project player to grab, as he won’t be ready to play right away but could end up being one of the best players in this draft down the road.

He’s not likely to be there at 8, but teams like the Pistons or Pacers might be willing to move down a few spots to reap extra assets.

This would really only be an option if the front office and scouts found a guy they loved for the future of the team and were willing to give up assets to get him.

The most likely option is the first one, as it makes financial sense for the New Orleans Pelicans to just keep adding young talent, but if they want to go for it now, there are options on the table.