The NBA draft is fast approaching, and I am beyond excited to see what the Pelicans decide to do with picks No. 7 and No. 23. One Potential option with pick No. 23 that I like is drafting Nique Clifford out of Colorado State. He is a mature 23-year-old prospect who spent 5 seasons in college, and his draft range is anywhere from 15-25.
Clifford is a do-it-all wing who can provide so much to a contending team as a rookie. He measured in at the NBA draft combine at 6'5.25" with a 6'8" wingspan, which is ideal for a wing in the modern NBA. These measurements are almost identical to those of Boston Celtics guard Derrick White.
Clifford has a Swiss-Army knife style of play, which is reflected in his stats: 18.9 points, 9.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. He did all this while remaining extremely efficient, shooting 49.6% from the field and 37.7% from beyond the arc. Stats aren't everything, but his film definitely validates them.
During the 2024-25 campaign, Clifford was an exceptional rebounder. He displayed incredible timing and a high motor, two things every team can find value in, especially when the guy doing it is only 6'5.
On the defensive side, he showed off great footwork and was an on-ball menace, forcing guys to pick up their dribble and look to pass as they struggled to get past his 205-pound frame. He can come into the league and instantly be a factor defensively, as he can guard 1 through 3.
As a facilitator, Nique was excellent for some playing on the wing, his 4.4 assists per game were a result of his great awareness and vision when handling the ball. He shows flashes of becoming a great secondary ball handler at the NBA level.
From a scoring standpoint, he presents a lot to like. Starting with what seems to be the most essential thing in today's NBA, three-point shooting, Clifford is a true floor spacer. As much as he was the man at Colorado State last season, he can come into the NBA and be an effective catch-and-shooter. He isn't a pull-up threat or a real shot creator, but with his other skills, teams aren't going to expect him to be.
Regarding driving to the basket, Clifford is very effective, especially on the open floor. He loves going to the rim and finishing through contact, especially in fast-break situations. He shot an efficient 65.9% at the rim this season. He isn't a crazy vertical athlete, but his athleticism shines when he's in the open floor.
Why he'd be great for the Pelicans
This do-it-all playstyle Clifford brings is something the Pelicans are missing on their roster. They have many specialists but lack a do-it-all guy, making Clifford's ability to jump into different roles and thrive intriguing. Before this past season, he mainly played a three-and-D wing role. But after the year he had and the skill set he showed scouts, it's hard to classify him as just a three-and-D guy.
With the Kevin Durant trade happening and the OKC Thunder winning a championship, the Western Conference is tighter than ever. And if the Pelicans plan on trying to compete, they need the type of win-now prospect Nique Clifford is. If the Pelicans can snatch Clifford at No. 23, they will be walking away with the steal of the draft.