All eyes are on the 2025 NBA Draft for the New Orleans Pelicans. After the team and its fans suffered through a dismal 21-61 finish in the 2024-25 season, everyone is hoping that their dutiful asceticism will bring about divine reward via the lottery.
Drawing the number one pick and winning the rights to generational talent and consensus top prospect Cooper Flagg out of Duke would be the ultimate prize. It's safe to say that the entire franchise and its faithful would be thrilled with that outcome, even after enduring another abysmal campaign mired in injuries.
This is a deep draft class, though, with several heavy hitters at the top. Players like Rutgers' Dylan Harper or Baylor's VJ Edgecombe will likely become more than just an average consolation prize in their careers. Because of the depth of the group and the team's wide-open future, the Pelicans will have their work cut out for them if they don't draw number one. There are limitless paths they could take, both with their selection and how they approach the rest of their offseason, depending on which pick they land. However, there are two prospects widely believed to be in the top 10 that the Pelicans shouldn't choose under any circumstances.
These two 2025 NBA Draft prospects would be nightmarish fits on the Pelicans
1. Egor Demin - BYU
At Brigham Young University, Egor Demin made quite a name for himself curating a delectable highlight tape chock-full of viral passes. There aren't many players who can match both his 6'9 frame and his court vision. It's not just his IQ as a floor general that makes him special, either. He can complete passes that most athletes can't: cross-court skips, off-dribble whips with either hand, needle-threads into the paint, etc. He's the type of playmaker that doesn't just find open teammates, but can manipulate defenses to create opportunities or even pass scorers open.
Unfortunately, that's about the only trait he has that's above average aside from positional size. Despite being a walking mismatch at point guard, he shot just 41 percent overall in his freshman year. His touch from deep is even more questionable, as he hit just 27 percent from beyond the arc as a Cougar. On defense, he exudes commendable effort, but his stiff hips, high base, and lack of lateral quickness will likely make him a career liability.
Unless the Pelicans are trading Zion Williamson, they have no need for another jumbo playmaker who can't shoot or guard. Even if they do move Big Z, there should be higher ceiling prospects available that New Orleans should prioritize over Demin.
2. Kon Knueppel - Duke
Like Demin, Kon Knueppel is another high-feel prospect, this time hailing from Duke University. Unlike Demin, Knueppel is extremely polished in every facet of the offensive side of the ball. He's a plus playmaker as well, but he can also score at all three levels efficiently.
He was originally viewed as a shooting specialist, but he quickly showed with the Blue Devils that he could consistently generate points off the dribble as well, particularly as a pick-and-roll ball-handler and as a straight-line slasher. He's one of the most well-balanced and sturdy finishers that we've seen as a prospect, especially on jump-stops and when he can establish a pivot. His footwork is simply excellent.
There's no doubt that Knueppel would make a positive impact in New Orleans. His touch from deep alone would make him a valuable addition as a floor spacer and knockdown shooter. Unfortunately, he might the most clear "high-floor, low-ceiling" prospect in the top 10.
Knueppel is extremely limited athletically — think Georges Niang numbers at the combine. That's going to hurt him on both ends of the court in the NBA and will probably keep him from ever being more than a high-level support piece. On the defensive side of the ball, it might even make him a glaring liability, even if his IQ and effort are top-notch.