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Three Intriguing Options For New Orleans Pelicans In Second Round
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- Three Intriguing Options For New Orleans Pelicans In Second Round
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The New Orleans Pelicans surprised the NBA world by not making a selection in the first round of the 2026 NBA draft, which means their first pick should come in the second.
As of thing currently stand, the Pelicans don't pick until the No. 58 spot in the draft. While that's not a very exciting slot, it doesn't mean that they won't be able to find someone who can contribute.
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Ahead of events getting started on Wednesday, here are the most intriguing options that could be available to New Orleans when it comes to their time to pick:
Houston Cougars G Milos Uzan
Guard isn't the biggest need right now, but Dejounte Murray and Jordan Poole are two players who could continue to be shopped as the offseason goes along. Having someone else who can handle the ball would be a smart idea.
Uzan played for two highly respected coaches in college in the Oklahoma Sooners' Porter Moser, who coached Jeremiah Fears , and the Houston Cougars' Kelvin Sampson. That is a great track record for a point guard.
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He averaged 11.1 points, 2.7 rebounds and 4.0 assists on 38.0/34.3/74.1 shooting splits. That efficiency isn't great, which is why he's going in the second round. There are tools and a great background, which is sometimes enough for the third-to-last pick in the draft.
Duke Blue Devils F Maliq Brown
Defense, defense, defense. Brown was a stalwart for the Blue Devils last season and will be, at worst, a valuable defensive piece at the next level. He is all effort and energy there, because he doesn't really add much to the offensive side of things.
Brown averaged 4.9 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists last season. He shot 62.9% from the field, but that's because he only attempted 3.5 shots per game. There is value in having someone who can only guard. Herb Jones Jr. is, at times, a defense-only player. Still, with how little shooting the Pelicans have, it would be risky adding another non-shooter to the court. Still, he'd be a very reasonable pick.
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Virginia Tech Hokies F Tobi Lawal
Lawal is all about potential. Similar to current New Orleans center Yves Missi , he started played basketball later in life and is still very much a work-in-progress. If whichever team drafts him can develop him right, though, he could be a great NBA player.
The 23-year-old has great size at 6-foot-8 and 215 pounds. He is a high-motor player who is mostly known for his offensive output, but could project into a versatile defensive piece as well. He put up 12.3 points and 8.5 rebounds per game last season.
