Sitting at 21-54, this Pelicans’ draft class will be an important one.
New Orleans is in the home stretch of a star-crossed season marked by untimely injuries, questionable coaching and management decisions, and flat-out poor play.
But there is a silver lining. For the upcoming NBA draft, the team has a 55 percent chance of picking in the top five and a 12.5 percent chance of lucking into the No. 1 overall pick.
The upcoming draft class is shaping up to be a strong one, and the Pels have an intriguing opportunity to improve their trajectory as a franchise.
The undisputed prize of the draft, Duke’s Cooper Flagg, is a lock to be the first selection. New Orleans unexpectedly won the lottery in 2019 and got the opportunity to draft generational prospect Zion Williamson. Can lightning strike twice? It is possible, but there’s no telling what will happen with the ping-pong balls on lottery night.
Outside of the first pick, there is no consensus on how the draft will play out. There is a cluster of highly rated, intriguing players, all with strengths, weaknesses, and question marks.
Let’s take a look at some of these prospects that are likely to fall in the Pelicans’ expected draft range of picks two through six.
Dylan Harper – G – Rutgers
Standing at 6-foot-6 and 220 pounds, Harper has the highest floor in this year’s draft class, and for good reason. He was named to the All-Big Ten Freshman Team and was fifth in the Big Ten in scoring at 19.4 points per game. Harper looks to be the most NBA-ready guard in the class. He has proven himself as a three-level scorer who can get to the paint with ease.
While he lacks elite athleticism, his great ball-handling, combined with his natural feel for the game, makes up for it. He is capable of bullying smaller guards and using his upper body to create space.
Spectacular performance for Dylan Harper in front of a large contingent of NBA decision makers tonight. 25 points, 9 assists, 6 steals and an important win for Rutgers. pic.twitter.com/s8VqPvFzNI
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) February 24, 2025
Harper isn’t the best shooter (33 percent from three this year), but isn’t afraid to attempt a three-pointer if necessary. He looks more comfortable shooting off the dribble rather than in catch-and-shoot situations. He also has great floor vision and puts his teammates in positions to succeed.
Defensively, he has good instincts, but he’s had trouble keeping up with quicker guards. Against taller players, his combination of size and strength allows him to hold his own. Overall, his defense doesn’t stand out, and he has room to develop on that end of the court.
Harper looks to be one of the safest picks in the draft. His ceiling isn’t as high as other prospects, but he can contribute right away to any team that drafts him.
Ace Bailey – F/G – Rutgers
Standing at 6-foot-10 and 210 pounds, Ace is arguably the best scorer in this year’s draft class. His blend of athleticism and shot-making rivals that of a young Kevin Durant.
Ace Bailey Last night vs Indiana…
39 PTS (16-29 FG, 4-8 3PT)
8 REBS
4 BLKSNow yall know for a MF fact he is top 3 Freshman in the Country.. Him, Dylan and Tre J..
I have 3-4 #1 picks now… pic.twitter.com/SzhJShF3tp
— Frankie Vision (@Frankie_Vision) January 3, 2025
Offensively, Bailey is a flat-out bucket-getter. This is reflected in his average of 17.6 points per game in college. His stroke is silky smooth, and his ability to shoot on the run and off-balance is truly special. At Rutgers, he shot 35 percent from three on 4.5 attempts a game. His jumper looks pro-ready and is a lethal weapon for him. In addition, his athleticism allows him to rise above the rim.
He isn’t afraid to dunk on anyone.
Ace Bailey’s poster and tech: pic.twitter.com/fig8TY4eKy
— Brian Fonseca (@briannnnf) January 21, 2025
Bailey also led his team in rebounds and blocks, further showcasing his long frame and elite athleticism. On the defensive side of the ball, Bailey plays with high intensity, reflected by his 1.3 blocks per game in college.
As far as the negatives, his slim build allows bigger players to bully him in the paint. Whoever drafts Bailey will count on him to gain some weight to hold his own against more physical bigs in the NBA.
While Bailey’s athleticism allows him to get to the paint with ease, he has surprising difficulty finishing at the rim. He only made 42.1 percent of his layups in the halfcourt while at Rutgers. Also, his shot selection was questionable at times, but strong coaching and experience should help clean up those habits.
Bailey is the biggest boom-or-bust player in the draft. He has a lot to improve on, but with the right team, he can flourish into a perennial All-Star at the next level.
VJ Edgecombe – G – Baylor
At 6-foot-5 and 180 pounds, VJ is one of the more athletic guards in this year’s class. His great play during March Madness has improved his stock quite a bit, and he is projected to go as high as No. 4 overall in many mock drafts.
Edgecombe’s elite athleticism and non-stop motor allow him to rise above the rim in both the halfcourt and in transition. He is not a naturally gifted ball-handler, but he plays off the ball well, making smart cuts and finding creative ways to get open. On the defensive end, he uses his athleticism to block shots and disrupt passing lanes with ease. He projects to be a plus defender at the next level.
Holy cow, VJ Edgecombe chasedown block pic.twitter.com/tBNTsbKfWf
— Ricky O'Donnell (@SBN_Ricky) March 9, 2025
Edgecombe’s jump shot, however, is a work in progress. He shot 34 percent from three-point range in his lone year at Baylor, so there is some potential for him to become a decent long-range shooter at the next level. With his questionable ball-handling, he projects as an athletic combo guard.
Edgecombe has emerged as a polarizing prospect. He does a lot of things well, but he is still very raw offensively. At only 19 years old, though, he has plenty of time to develop that part of his game.
Tre Johnson – G – Texas
Johnson is hands down the most lethal shooter in the draft. Whether it’s off the dribble or catch-and-shoot, he makes it look easy. His solid ball-handling skills allow him to create shots with an array of dribble moves and head fakes.
However, he does settle for high-difficulty, low-percentage shots, which hinders his overall efficiency.
Tre Johnson in his Final college game vs Xavier in the First Four.
23 PTS (6-14 FG, 4-7 3PT, 7-11 FTs)
6 REB
2 ASTGreat College career.. now on to the NBA.. He is top 3 on my Draft Board!!! pic.twitter.com/cUuVhI1ZdW
— Frankie Vision (@Frankie_Vision) March 20, 2025
Johnson is a one-way player. He can score with the best of them, but he doesn’t give you much on defense. Don’t expect to get much out of him as an on-ball defender. He has not flashed point guard skills in college, averaging only 2.7 assists while at Texas, so he probably won’t be asked to take on that role at the next level.
You know what you’re getting with Tre Johnson. He projects as a player who can come into the league and contribute right away. At this point, he could be characterized as a microwave scorer, which is good to have on your team, but not enough to build around.
But as they say, a team can never have too much shooting in today’s NBA.
Who Should the Pelicans Draft?
Depending on where they end up in the draft order, the Pels have plenty of options. They can trade down and get more picks later in the draft or take their chances on several intriguing prospects.
Ace Bailey would be the high-upside play. If the team decides to go with someone with a high floor, Dylan Harper could be the guy. The Pels could also take a chance on VJ Edgecombe, who is a wild card among the expected lottery picks. The Pelicans desperately need shooters to surround Zion, so Tre Johnson could be an interesting target who could fill that void.
It’s really a matter of what the team values most, whether that’s defense, shooting, or playmaking.
With this season’s bad luck and disappointing record, the Pels have an unexpected opportunity to improve their team with a high draft pick and add to a roster of established players returning from injury next season.
With Zion Williamson entering his seventh season, the pressure will be the highest it has ever been to maximize the Pelicans’ lucky lottery draw that landed them this generational talent. They shipped out co-star Brandon Ingram, leaving Zion as the undisputed face of the franchise.
While the team’s upcoming draft pick won’t be expected to be an overnight star, he could play a major role in what history books write about the Zion era of Pelicans basketball.
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