Pelicans Narrowing Down 10 Options For 14th Overall Pick

The New Orleans Pelicans have at least 10 viable options for using the 14th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.

Author:
Chris Dodson
Updated:
May 23, 2023 3:09 PM EDT

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NEW ORLEANS- That's a wrap on the 2023 NBA Combine and Draft Lottery in Chicago. The New Orleans Pelicans did not hit their lucky numbers and headed home with the 14th overall selection. Now the front office has to decide where to go from here. The mid-round selection is only worth so much in trade negotiations but there are a few options that might be a better fit on the cap sheet and in the locker room going forward.

Oct 4, 2022; Henderson, NV, USA; Boulogne-Levallois Metropolitans 92 forward Victor Wembanyama (1) looks on during the game against the NBA G League Ignite at The Dollar Loan Center. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports

Skip Time Scouting Top Prospects

In my book, it is safe to say there are six to eight names that definitely will be off the board before the team picking 14th is on the clock. The San Antonio Spurs walked away the biggest winners as Victor Wembanyama looks to land within the division. Scoot Henderson will be a top-3 pick regardless of any trades out of the spot from Portland.

Brandon Miller, the Thompson twins (Ausar and Amen), and Cam Whitmore will be top-10 barring some very negative scouting reports or offseason news. These four are not at risk of falling much even with an injury as they'd be going to teams with time to wait out the process.

Going the mock draft route, Jarace Wallace and Grady Dick could slide out of the top 10 but it is highly doubtful both make it past the Dallas Mavericks (10)th, Orlando Magic (11th) or Oklahoma City (12th). They deserve long looks in the scouting room but the best-case scenario is one of these prospects is available. If so, and the Pelicans are not sold on either being a solution, a trade back would be in play.

Who Falls From 9-14?

Things start to get fluid at the 9th spot. Does any front office trust Anthony Black to fix his 30% from three-point range, three-assist but three turnovers per game stats? Black has already lined up a meeting with the Indiana Pacers (picking 7th) but I'm not sold he will ever pan out to being any better than Jose Alvarado.

The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor pegs Black and the next Lonzo Ball experiment, just in a smaller frame. It's the same woeful free-throw shooting numbers though and I cannot imagine many front offices leaving Chicago very impressed. Black was not even in the top 20 in straight-line speed or lane agility drills, for example.

Taylor Hendricks is at the top of my mid-lottery draft board. The Pelicans would reap the benefits of other teams overthinking things, getting a valuable big wingman with skills that will translate on Day 1.

“Hendricks is big, knows how to play, can shoot well, and can defend and guard in a switch because he can block shots at the rim even if the guard gets by him,” an NBA executive told HoopsHype. “He’s the best prospect coming out of the AAC ahead of Jarace Walker.”

Hendricks can defend all five positions and was at 39% from three-point range. He averaged 15 points, 7 rebounds and doesn't need to handle the ball much to stay engaged. Bringing in a seven-foot wingspan with a high motor averaging almost 2 blocks a game would help the Pelicans with rim protection immediately. At times it looked like he was playing a different game in some spurts leading UCF.

Zion Williamson will be in a position to grab rebounds and run most of the time. New Orleans will employ a traditional big man like Jonas Valanciunas, but the role may be limited moving forward. Larry Nance Jr.'s hybrid role this season could fit Hendricks like a fresh new shirt for years to come.

Mar 19, 2023; Greensboro, NC, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Cason Wallace (22) drives to the basket against Kansas State Wildcats forward Keyontae Johnson (11) during the second half in the second round of the 2023 NCAA men s basketball tournament at Greensboro Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Top 10 To Keep An Eye On

The Pelicans need a versatile defender who can rebound and more importantly, shoot at a respectable clip. This team needs spacing. My Top 10 Big Board for tracking prospects that might help the team next season and be available from the 10th to the 23rd pick (also held by Portland):

Taylor Hendricks (full scouting report)
Cason Wallace (full scouting report)
Kobe Bufkin
GG Jackson
Jett Howard
Jordan Hawkins
Kris Murray
Derick Lively II
Leonard Miller
Anthony Black

Honorable Mention: Brandin Poziemski's stock soared from pink sheets to prime blue chip in the Chicago combine. Podziemski averaged 19.9 points, 8.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.8 steals with 43.8% shooting from three-point range at Santa Clara and is prepared to "be a really good role player my first year."

Poziemski recorded 10 points, seven rebounds, eight assists, and two steals while also connecting on two of his 3-pointers. Podziemski made impressive shots off the bounce and didn’t have any turnovers. With Willy Hernangomez likely moving on, a trade back to snag Poziemski and use a second-rounder on Tristan Vukcevic would shore up the frontcourt depth behind Jonas Valanciunas and Larry Nance Jr.

Look for more detailed scouting summaries on all of the top draft options on Pelicans Scoop in the next few weeks leading up the to 2023 NBA Draft on June 22.