On Night One of the 2025 NBA Draft, the New Orleans Pelicans went all-in on offense. For Night Two, the Pelicans could look to shift their focus to defense. New Orleans drafted Jeremiah Fears No. 7, and then traded up with the Atlanta Hawks to acquire the No. 13 pick, and drafted Derik Queen.
Both of these guys have dynamic scoring ability. Fears is a crafty guard who can provide a spark at any time. He scores in a variety of ways, driving and attacking the basket, knocking down tough three-pointers, carving up defenders through the pick-and-roll, drawing contact and getting to the free-throw line.
Queen is a dominant big man who uses his nearly 250-pound frame to bully weaker defenders. His physicality blends an old-school '90s style of basketball with an advanced playmaking skill set, making Queen a real threat as an offensive hub. He doesn't project to be a great shooter, but his post-scoring touch makes it easier to overlook that.
Still, the big question is fit. Many, including myself, wonder how either of these players fits long-term with the current Pelicans core. That said, you can’t question their offensive talent. But with both guys being undersized—Fears at 6'2.5" and Queen at 6'9"—while also not being good defenders, it leaves you wondering who is going to get down and guard next season. This makes Pick No. 40 on Thursday night even more critical, and Arkansas forward Adou Thiero may be exactly what the Pelicans lacked in Round One.
A monster defender and freak athlete is exactly what the Pelicans are missing
After going heavy on offence in Night One, the Pelicans could switch gears on Night Two with pick No. 40. This shift could come in the form of Arkansas junior Adou Thiero, who averaged 15.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists, as well as 1.6 steals and 0.7 blocks per game.
What stands out most is his disruptive defense. Thanks to a 7'0" wingspan, Thiero is a versatile stopper who can guard every position, protect the rim, and get stops on the perimeter. This is intriguing, as outside of Herb Jones, New Orleans lacks a guy who can guard multiple positions.
Besides being a great defender, Thiero uses his strong frame, finesse and freakish athleticism to finish at the rim. His strength and physicality made him an outstanding rebounder in college, and his frame will make the transition to the NBA level smooth. If he continues to develop his jumper, he could blossom into a legitimate do-it-all wing and possibly one of the biggest steals of the second round.