The New Orleans Pelicans will enter the 2025 NBA Draft with the No. 7 overall selection. It's an admittedly stunning slide down the board after entering the lottery with the fourth-best odds of landing the No. 1 pick, but that's the unfortunate nature of the lottery system.
Despite the disappointment, the Pelicans have entered the perfect position to draft a player who can finally give the team a definitive go-to scorer: Tre Johnson.
Johnson, 19, has quietly emerged as one of the most dynamic scoring threats in the 2025 NBA Draft. As such, there's a chance that he won't be available when New Orleans' pick rolls around at No. 7. Undersized players tend to slide, however, and there are apparent concerns in that regard.
Projected as more of an undersized modern wing than a traditional shooting guard, Johnson measured at 6'4.75" and 190 pounds at the NBA Draft Combine.
With a 6'10.25" wingspan, however, Johnson looks the part of the prototypical 2-guard. If the Pelicans believe he's a better fit for that role than some of his critics seem to, then this is a pick they should make without hesitation—especially if they believe he can add muscle.
It's hard to overlook the appeal of Carter Bryant, but based on what New Orleans has and lacks, Johnson is the ideal selection.
Pelicans can take next step with Tre Johnson
The Pelicans have constructed a roster that's flush with talent in virtually every area. CJ McCollum and a healthy Dejounte Murray are among the better combo guards in the NBA, Zion Williamson is a force of nature at forward, Trey Murphy III is a rising scoring threat, and Herb Jones is a lockdown defender.
For as intriguing as that collection of talent is, the Pelicans lack a scoring threat who can truly be identified as the No. 1 option when the chips are down.
Adding Bryant would mean bringing in a 3-and-D wing with the potential to grow into something more. That may ultimately make him the player Joe Dumars prioritizes, and it would be difficult to blame him for doing so.
Johnson is already one of the most refined scorers in this class, however, combining fearlessness and skill in a truly compelling manner.
By drafting Johnson, New Orleans would have a chance to develop its No. 1 scoring option of the future. He's not only a knockdown shooter, but is a true shot creator who was battling double teams throughout his freshman season.
Despite that hurdle, Johnson averaged 19.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 2.7 three-point field goals made on .427/.397/.871 shooting.
In the early stages of his career, Johnson can operate as an off-ball shooter who can take turns running the offense with New Orleans' more experienced players. McCollum could be an excellent mentor in that regard, as his game compares favorably—albeit with Johnson embracing a more assertive mentality.
The Pelicans have talent, but if they hope to take the next step, Johnson is the scorer who they should embrace as their next go-to perimeter scoring option.