Pelicans draft: A sharpshooting prospect out of Michigan

The 2022 NBA Draft is shaping up to be a big one for the New Orleans Pelicans, as they get the chance to add a top-10 pick to a team already loaded with young talent.

They also have two picks in the second round, and hope to find another gem, as they did last season with Herbert Jones in the second round and Jose Alvarado as an un-drafted free agent.

Since this player is not likely to come in an contribute right away to a roster that already has 14 players under contract, the Pelicans can aim for high-ceiling talent that might take time to develop.

One such player would be Caleb Houstan from the University of Michigan, who came into the season as a five-star recruit, but had an up and down season for the Wolverines.

He has the talent to be a first-round pick, and could be one of those guys who thrives more in the pace and space of the NBA than in college.

Pelicans draft: Caleb Houstan’s strengths and weaknesses

Houstan is a big wing at 6-foot-8, 205 lbs. so he fits the type of position-less basketball teams like the Celtics (and hopefully soon Pelicans) have been playing.

He only averaged 10 points and four rebounds per game as a freshman while shooting 35.5 percent from long range on five attempts per game.

He’s very athletic and can run the floor and will put in the effort on both ends, but it’s his shooting that has scouts excited, as he has a very fluid stroke with little wasted motion, as you can see in these highlights.

His biggest weakness in his freshman season was his inconsistency and his inability to do much on offense aside from being a spot-up shooter.

Even though he didn’t have a monster season for Michigan, he came into college as a highly ranked shooter and defender, so projects to be a 3-and-D type if he makes it in the NBA.

The Pelicans need shooting, as they were one of the worst 3-point shooting teams in the NBA this season. Long, athletic forwards who can defend the perimeter and shoot 3-point shots are pretty much the ideal types to put around Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum, so the Pels will continue to add players in this mold.

Houstan may not be there when the Pelicans choose with the 41st pick, but if he is, he’ll definitely get a look.