With draft rumors swirling around the Pelicans' plans at No. 7, the biggest question is: What will they actually do? Will the Pelicans attempt to trade up for a top-three pick in hopes of drafting one of Ace Bailey or Dylan Harper? Could we even see them trade down, adding an asset that can help them be competitive next season? Or will they simply stay put?
The most realistic of these three options is that they stay put at No. 7. In my opinion, if the Pels remain at pick 7, it's an easy choice for them. While I’m high on Khaman Maluach and Derik Queen this team needs a safer option.
They need someone who can come in and, at worst, provide a reliable spark off the bench. The guy that fits that mold is freshman guard out of Texas Tre Johnson.
After rostering 25 different players because of the number of injuries the Pels dealt with last season, drafting someone who is safe and can stay on the court would be huge. Johnson doesn't rely on his athleticism to be effective, making him less likely to suffer wear-and-tear injuries.
Johnson is coming off a dominant season for the Longhorns, where he averaged 19.9 points per game, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game. These averages earned him SEC Rookie of the Year honors.
Tre Johnson: The safest high upside prospect in the draft
His unbelievable shotmaking ability is something that coaching can't teach; it's something that is earned through hours in the lab. Johnson shot 39.7% from three on 7.8 attempts per game, thriving as a self-creator from deep but also making defenders pay coming off of screens and is a major threat in catch and shoot scenarios.
But he is much more than just a sniper from deep. Johnson is a true three-level scorer. He can punish defenses in the open floor, in the half court, and in isolation situations. Johnson is able to get buckets everywhere. He loves to control the game's tempo, picking up his pace when he knows he has a slower defender on him and slowing down his pace when he has a good defender on him, as he'll break them down slowly.
His basketball IQ plays a massive role in Johnson's dominance of defenses. He approaches each possession differently and attacks based on what the defense offers him. Johnson also has extremely underrated footwork. He can operate well out of the post and get defenders in the air with his footwork and shot fakes.
This skill set gives Johnson an incredibly high floor, while still having that All-Star ceiling teams look for when drafting inside the lottery.
Johnson has a ton of similarities to a first-time All-Star from the 2024-25 season
His skill set and movement remind me so much of Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro. Both guys are three-level scorers, possess great footwork, and can be effective both with and without the ball.
In Herro's first season in the NBA, he helped the Miami Heat reach the NBA finals. Herro thrived as a third-scoring option, primarily operating off the ball, which was crucial in the Heat's success that season. This is the type of role I could see Johnson playing in his first year with the Pelicans, before developing into a true All-Star-caliber player like Herro did.
The similarities also come from the confidence and swagger both guys play with. No one in college basketball had more swagger in their game than Johnson did. He was never afraid of the moment, taking and making the most ridiculous shots. This swagger was on full display during an overtime loss to Arkansas, where Johnson scored 39 points and scored all 12 of the Longhorns' points in overtime.
If the Pelicans want a ready-made contributor with room to grow into a star, Tre Johnson has to be the pick at No. 7.