For the first time in a long time, David Griffin will not be making the pick for the New Orleans Pelicans in the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft. Griffin was dismissed by the Pels on the very first day of their offseason following a disastrous 2024-25 campaign. Their 21-61 finish can't be attributed solely to him, as a barrage of injuries took out their entire core in the early season.
Still, Griffin's tenure as New Orleans's executive vice president of basketball operations was far from perfect. Six years in with just two wins in the playoffs to show for it, the Pelicans brass decided that it was time to sever ties with Griffin, replacing him with former Detroit Pistons general manager Joe Dumars this offseason.
While his regime might not be remembered fondly, Griffin can take pride in his work in the draft during his time in New Orleans, and he left on a high note. Yves Missi had an excellent rookie year, especially considering the unfair expectations placed upon him. Missi was spectacular in his freshman season, and David Griffin should be lauded for the selection, but there is one rookie that the Pelicans passed up on that might have them regretting their choice down the road.
Kyshawn George could make Pelicans regret picking Yves Missi
Again, Yves Missi had a fantastic debut season. He was expected to be an acceptable starting center as a 20-year-old 21st-overall pick and still exceeded those lofty expectations. The 2024 draft class was mostly underwhelming, especially when stacked up against Victor Wembanyama and the rest of the loaded 2023 prospects, but Missi would've been a late first-round steal in any year.
In terms of where he was taken, Griffin couldn't have gotten better value at 21. Taking a look at the actual 2024 draft, he was sandwiched between Ja'Kobe Walter (19), Jaylon Tyson (20), DaRon Holmes (22), and AJ Johnson (23). It's pretty safe to say that Missi has lapped most of his contemporaries and has rapidly separated himself from the pack.
In that case, there shouldn't be any reason for the Pelicans to have regrets over drafting Missi at 21. There are a few standout exceptions who were drafted after him who have a case to be a better player now or in the future, such as Kyle Filipowski, Jaylen Wells, or Quinten Post, but New Orleans would have never taken them at 21, considering their outlooks at the time.
There is one player that the Pelicans realistically would have considered picking who ended up going after Missi and could turn out to be the better talent when it's all said and done: KyShawn George.
The Washington Wizards took George out of the University of Miami with the 24th-overall pick. As a Hurricane, he was a true freshman who only started in half of the games he played. As such, he was one of the least experienced players in his class, and he was often visibly green on the court. However, he also flashed a ton of potential at Miami, showcasing an advanced handle for his size, playmaking tools, and a soft touch on a variety of different shots.
In his rookie season, he continued to display tantalizing promise while also struggling with some of the more nuanced parts of his game. He averaged 8.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in 26.5 minutes per game; however, he only shot 37 percent from the field and 32 percent from deep. His tape will show a versatile and enticing offensive bag, especially for a 6'7 wing with a 6'10 wingspan, but his efficiency and decision-making need a lot of work. Those are common problems for young players, though, that typically resolve themselves with more experience. The Pelicans will be hoping that it'll happen for Jordan Hawkins.
Where George really shone in his rookie season was as a defender. Using his blend of size and agility, he was regularly seen swallowing up ball-handlers and effectively switching onto various opponents. He put up an impressive 1.4 steals and 1.0 blocks per 36 minutes, turning his physical tools, timing, and instincts into tangible production.
By every conceivable measure, Missi had the better rookie season. However, the two-way potential that Kyshawn George displayed in his first year, alongside his lofty ceiling, bolstered by an enviable combination of size and skill, could simply make him a more valuable archetype if both players develop accordingly. If George ever reaches his full potential, the Pelicans could certainly wind up regretting their decision to pass up on him for Missi.