When looking at all the potential options for the Pelicans at No. 7, one name I haven't touched on is Illinois guard Kasparas Jakucionis. That changes today. In the latest War Room mock draft from NBA draft experts Tyler Metcalf and Tyler Rucker of No Ceilings, they had the Pelicans selecting the crafty playmaking guard.
Jakucionis is a highly intriguing prospect who could come in and fill a need for the Pelicans. He is coming off an impressive freshman season, averaging 15.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game while shooting a respectable 44.0% from the field.
However, questions about his turnover-prone nature, defensive limitation, and his struggle shooting the three leave many scouts unsure of Jakucionis' potential at the NBA level.
How concerning are his turnovers
One of the biggest concerns surrounding Jakucionis is his turnover rate, 3.7 per game last season. That number is definitely high, but context matters. He played on a struggling Illinois team that lacked other ball-handlers, leaving him to shoulder nearly all the playmaking responsibility.
While his handle occasionally betrayed him under pressure, especially against aggressive defenders, that’s not unusual for an 18-year-old in a lead-guard role. Importantly, his turnover numbers don’t tell the whole story. Jakucionis displayed advanced vision and decision-making as a pick-and-roll operator, often slowing the game down and delivering sharp reads to open teammates.
While he needs to improve his handle, he'll likely be more of a combo guard in the NBA than a lead guard. That role adjustment means he won't face the same defensive pressure he experienced in college.
Can he shoot?
The biggest question the Pelicans should ask themselves before drafting anyone is whether he can shoot. They ranked in the bottom 5 in both three-point attempts and makes this past season. With Jakucionis, the numbers aren't friendly. He shot 31.8% from deep on 5.2 attempts per game.
While these numbers point to the Pelicans steering clear, similar to his turnover numbers, they don't tell the whole story. If a play broke down this past season for Illinois, they often would get the ball to him and hope for the best. Most of the time, this resulted in Jakucionis taking a tough, contested three, a shot forced by circumstance rather than poor decision-making
He has the shooting mechanics and shoots the three with major confidence. These are two signs that should be encouraging to NBA scouts, as we see guys all the time come over from college and develop into good three-point shooters because of NBA coaching.
A very important detail is that he dealt with a left forearm injury during the second half of his season. Before the injury, Jakucionis was shooting 42.9% from 3, and after the injury, he was shooting just 25.2%. So, it's safe to say this injury greatly impacted his shooting.
What can be expected defensively?
On the defensive side, he has excellent size compared to other players at his position. That being said, he just isn't a very gifted defender. We often saw him get blown by and targeted by opposing offenses.
If I were to give his defensive game a pro-level comparison, I would think Collin Sexton, as Jakucionis doesn't lack energy or hustle. Often diving for loose balls and trying to make the hustle play, yet he is still limited. This hustle is encouraging and could help him develop, as he clearly has the desire to improve
What I like about Jakucionis
Going back to how well he operated as a playmaker in the pick-and-roll, the same could be said about his scoring in the pick-and-roll. He uses his frame well to get downhill off screens and score at the rim, and when he isn't scoring, he is trying to draw a foul. Something he did well last season, getting to the line 5.1 times a game.
Another huge pro with Jakucionis is that he was forced into such a tough spot as Illinois's engine last season. He has learned how to adjust, which is great for the Pelicans. If they draft him, he'll likely be thrown right into the starting point guard role because of the Dejounte Murray injury.
He also has excellent size for a guard, measuring 6'4.75" and having a 6'7.75" wingspan. This size is ideal in the NBA and will give the versatility to play both lead and combo guards.
Most of the concerns around Jakucionis are just situational. Before injury, he was viewed as a borderline top-5 pick in this year’s draft. Jakucionis would be a bold first-round pick under Joe Dumars. He could also blossom into an elite guard with a bit of time.