With the NBA Draft just one sleep away, Pelicans fans are anticipating who the team will select with picks Nos. 7 and 23. In this piece, I'm going to focus on three different prospects who could all be on New Orleans' radar with pick No. 7. All three of these prospects would be drafted for a different reason and could signal something different for the franchise.
There is one high upside player, someone who is very young and raw but shows flashes of All-Star potential and could become one if he puts it all together. A pick like this could signal that New Orleans may be heading for a full-scale rebuild, as upside doesn't fix the current issues the Pels are having.
Another option addresses the Pelicans’ immediate needs: size and shooting. Outside of Yves Missi and Kelly Olynyk, New Orleans lacks frontcourt size. Additionally, the team ranked in the bottom five last season in both three-point attempts and makes, an issue they could address with the No. 7 pick.
The high-upside option- Noa Essengue
Noa Essengue is a French prospect playing for Ratiopharm Ulm in Germany. The 18-year-old forward is oozing potential and has an intriguing combination of mobility and size, measuring 6'10" with a 7'0.75" wingspan. This wingspan has made him a prolific shot blocker, which is one of the best parts of his game.
His averages have been solid this year: 9.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.1 assists. These averages are encouraging and suggest there's much more to come at the NBA level. Essengue thrives in transition, defends across multiple positions, and has the foot speed and coordination to excel in situations where he has to switch to a smaller player.
While he still needs to bulk up to finish through contact at the NBA level, his offensive skillset is very similar to Pacers forward Pascal Siakam; however, Essengue’s solid shooting mechanics and touch suggest he'll be a better shooter long term. While a lot isn't guaranteed with this prospect, he’s the clear choice if the Pelicans want to swing for upside.
The size option- Khaman Maluach
If New Orleans plans on drafting for size, the only answer is Duke's Khaman Maluach. From day one he offers elite size and rim protection. At 7'2" with a 7'6" wingspan and a 9'6" standing reach, he’d be the franchise’s only true 7-footer and immediately bolster the Pelicans’ frontcourt depth, especially after the departure of Kelly Olynyk.
Still just 18, Maluach was the anchor for one of college basketball’s top defenses. He not only flashed the ability to protect the rim with his 1.3 blocks per game but also showed that he could switch and contain guards. Even when he wasn't blocking shots, he was finding a way to alter it.
Offensively, he’s already a lob threat and efficient finisher, as shown in his field goal percentage of 71.2%. He’s also shown upside as a pick-and-pop option, as his mechanics are good. He shot 76.6% from the free-throw line, which is an encouraging sign.
In a league trending toward double-big lineups and dominating with size, Maluach could very likely hear his name called by the Pelicans at No. 7.
The shooting option-Kon Knueppel
If shooting is the priority on draft night, Kon Knueppel is arguably the best shooter in the 2025 NBA Draft. With New Orleans ranking near the bottom of the league in three-point shooting, Knueppel’s floor spacing abilities make him a solution at No. 7. He shot a ridiculous 40.9% from deep on high volume at 5.3 attempts per game.
But he is more than just a catch-and-shoot threat. Kon has an elite IQ, off-ball movement, and an unselfish approach to the game. He is a great secondary playmaker with underrated passing vision and thrives in creating in the pick-and-roll. While his defense still needs improvement, he is this class's most polished offensive player.
He averaged 14.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.7 assists as a freshman at Duke while playing alongside Cooper Flagg. His experience playing off a star will translate and make him a great running mate alongside Zion Williamson.
If New Orleans wants to address its shooting issues through the draft, getting Knueppel would be a great choice at No. 7.