The New Orleans Pelicans have selected Oklahoma freshman guard Jeremiah Fears No. 7 overall in the 2025 NBA Draft. This was a shocking choice by Joe Dumars. After making a move yesterday to acquire Jordan Poole from Washington for a package including CJ McCollum and Kelly Olynyk, the Pels were left with a massive hole at center. Despite that, they opted to take a player at the same position as both Dejounte Murray and Jordan Poole.
This just feels unreal, as guard seemed to be the last position the Pelicans needed to fill. Fears averaged 17.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 4.1 assists this season. He is crafty, creative, and an incredible scorer who is also a tough shot taker and maker. He is a really exciting player, but drafting him should leave fans wondering what direction this team is heading in.
They just traded for a shot-creating guard in Poole, who is still just 26 and was coming off a season averaging 20.5 points per game. Fears and Poole have a similar style of play, and now the Pelicans have a logjam at the guard when healthy, having Murray, Poole, and now Fears.
It's hard to think that all three of these guys will be on the Pelicans roster next season, as this pick could foreshadow a Dejounte Murray trade coming, especially after his recent comments towards the franchise.
Passing on a center could set the Pelicans back years
Passing on Khaman Maluach in this spot will likely be something this team will grow to regret. The Pelicans now lack a reliable rim protector and have left Yves Missi as the only playable center on the roster. While they still have a selection tonight at No. 23, the quality of the centers there compared to Maluach is a considerable drop-off.
The Pelicans could've had a defensive anchor who stands 7'2" with a 7'6" wingspan, instead they decided to draft someone who is a younger version of the player they just traded for. Fears is exceptionally talented and could grow into something special in the right situation.
Still, New Orleans isn't the spot for him to do that, given how hard the transition is for rookie guards from college to the NBA. Lack of developmental minutes could seriously stunt Fears' growth, the Pelicans' timeline.
Picking Fears at No. 7 was a huge reach and poses more questions than it answers for the New Orleans Pelicans.