In a shocking turn, the Dallas Mavericks secured the number one pick in the draft.<\/p>\n
Months after trading their franchise cornerstone,\u00a0Luka Doncic<\/a>, they are now blessed with another star in the mega-prospect, Cooper Flagg<\/a>.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Pelicans fans entered the NBA Draft Lottery with eagerness and optimism to secure a top draft pick. It quickly turned into disappointment, as they ended up with the seventh overall pick.<\/p>\n The Pelicans entered the lottery with the fourth-best odds<\/a> of getting the number one pick at 12.5%.<\/p>\n The Pelicans organization has been defined by poor management, untimely injuries, and, most importantly, sheer bad luck. At the end of the day, the Pelicans getting a top-three pick in the NBA Draft wasn\u2019t meant to be. However, how they respond will be paramount in their quest to build a contender around star Zion Williamson<\/a>.<\/p>\n It\u2019s important to mention that Zion was the Pelicans\u2019 representative at the lottery. This means the Zion trade rumors can be put to rest, for now.<\/p>\n Fans have the right to be mad at him due to his murky injury history and perceived lack of effort, but the Pelicans are still committed to building around him.<\/p>\n New Pelicans President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars<\/a>\u00a0has an intriguing opportunity ahead of him. There is plenty of talent in this year\u2019s draft class, and they will have many options with their pick. The Pelicans can either take a swing on a high-upside prospect or make a trade to win now.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s examine their options<\/a> for the 2025 NBA Draft.<\/p>\n Draft a High-Upside Guard at Seven<\/p>\n Dejounte Murray<\/a>\u2018s Achilles injury has left a hole at guard for the Pelicans. This, along with CJ McCollum<\/a>\u2018s struggles as the team\u2019s main ball-handler, points to them eyeing a guard at pick seven.<\/p>\n The Pelicans should consider one of these two guards.<\/p>\n Kasparas Jakucionis<\/a> \u2013 G \u2013 Illinois<\/p>\n Jakucionis is arguably the best passer in this year\u2019s draft class. His elite court vision undoubtedly makes him stand out as a prospect, but he isn\u2019t a one-trick pony.<\/p>\n At 6\u20196\u2032, 205 pounds<\/a>, he has good size for a guard. He also showed the ability to score at all three levels during his lone season at the University of Illinois. He is crafty with the ball in his hands and can create good looks for both his teammates and himself.<\/p>\n Despite his average shooting splits in college, his shot looks smooth, and he\u2019s shown the ability to shoot both off the dribble and in catch-and-shoot situations. Furthermore, he shot 85%<\/a> from the free-throw line, indicating that he can be an above-average shooter at the next level.<\/p>\n However, Jakucionis led the Big Ten in turnovers per game<\/a> with almost 4 per game. He will need to cut down the turnovers at the next level, but at only 18 years old, he has plenty of time to clean up this part of his game. In addition, his below-average athleticism makes him vulnerable when he\u2019s matched up against quicker and tougher guards.<\/p>\n Overall, Jakucionis is an intriguing prospect, especially for the Pelicans. Dejounte Murray<\/a> is a question mark as he is recovering from a torn Achilles, so it would be smart to grab a high-floor guard in the upcoming draft.<\/p>\n \u00a0Jeremiah Fears<\/a> \u2013 G \u2013 Oklahoma<\/p>\n Fears\u2019 ability to attack downhill and operate in the pick-and-roll makes him a standout guard in this year\u2019s draft class. He\u2019s been rising draft boards recently, and for good reason.<\/p>\n During his lone season at the University of Oklahoma, he averaged 17 points, four rebounds, and four assists per game. His combination of above-average athleticism and exceptional body control allows him to finish at the rim with ease.<\/p>\n I\u2019m intrigued with Jeremiah Fears. <\/p>\n *Great Finisher At The Rim POSTSEASON: pic.twitter.com\/ffyayXAaMg<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Justin (@ProPelsTalk) May 14, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n He can also navigate the pick and roll exceptionally well for his age (18), reflecting his advanced feel for the game. This quality makes him a seamless fit with the Pelicans, as the pick-and-roll game with Fears and Zion would cause problems for many teams.<\/p>\n Fears isn\u2019t a lethal shooter from deep, as he only shot 28%<\/a> from three while at Oklahoma. However, he did shoot 85%<\/a> from the free throw line, which is intriguing for his development as a shooter.<\/p>\n It is important to mention that Fears has already met<\/a> with the Pelicans at the NBA Draft Combine.<\/p>\n Make a Trade<\/p>\n The Pelicans can always shake things up come draft night. Joe Dumars<\/a> has a history of making big trades, so there is always the possibility that the Pelicans will strike a deal to move up in the draft.<\/p>\n But the opposite can also happen. If the Pelicans don\u2019t like anyone at pick seven, they can trade back into the draft and get more draft capital.<\/p>\n A big decision awaits Dumars and the front office. The Pelicans have some draft capital in their back pocket, so why not use it to make a win-now move? Doing so would signal that Dumars is serious about building a contender and would rejuvenate a demoralized Pelicans fan base.<\/p>\n What\u2019s Next?<\/p>\n While the Pelicans\u2019 misfortune in the NBA Draft Lottery left fans rightfully disappointed, not all hope is lost.<\/p>\n For a franchise rooted in missed opportunities, Joe Dumars<\/a> and company have the chance to rewrite the narrative. Pelicans fans are restless, and the Western Conference is the toughest it\u2019s ever been.<\/p>\n Franchise-altering decisions loom in the coming months that will determine if the Pelicans finally soar \u2013 or continue to be the laughingstock of the NBA.<\/p>\n The Pelicans can\u2019t afford to miss this shot.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
*One of the best FT shooters in the country & getting to the line
*Major Burst, Body Control
*Shooting needs improvement <\/p>\n
25.6 PPG
44.3% FG
38.1% 3 PT<\/p>\n