The New Orleans Pelicans entered the 2022 NBA Draft Lottery with a lot at stake. They had an impressive end to the season that included a victory over the Los Angeles Clippers in the play-in tournament. The youthful squad put up an impressive fight in the opening round and won two games over the top-seeded Phoenix Suns.
The focus of the Pelicans has shifted to next season with all eyes on the NBA Draft lottery. The Pelicans had a 99.6% chance of securing a top 10 pick heading into the lottery. They had a 6% of landing the top pick and a 26.3% chance of landing in the top four selections. After the ping pong balls all settled, the Pelicans officially landed the 8th overall pick which was their highest percentage chance of a selection to end up at 34.5%.
3 best options for Pelicans after getting 8th pick in 2022 NBA lottery
Bennedict Mathurin- SG Arizona
It seems likely Bennedict Mathurin will be off the board before the 8th pick, but this would be an absolute steal for the Pelicans if he falls to them. The SG/SF stands 6’6” tall and has the potential star intangibles that cannot be taught. He cemented his high draft stock with his impressive NCAA tournament play this year. The Arizona standout tallied 30 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists in the overtime win over TCU in the Round of 32.
Mathurin is most intriguing due to his NBA-ready offensive style of play. He can score the ball in a variety of ways and is comfortable off the dribble or catch-and-shoot. He is far from an isolation-only player and has a high motor for moving and cutting when the ball is not in his hands. He also can play above the rim.
BENEDICT MATHURIN OH MYYYYY pic.twitter.com/kUdx9S7KBq
— Heat Check (@HeatCheck_Show) March 21, 2022
The Canadian has a high release and is unfazed by defenders closing out. He is capable of making the right reads as a passer and teases future playmaking potential. While his defensive intensity lacks at times, he has all the pieces to put it together on this side of the ball. Mathurin wants the ball in his hands for big moments and will be a cornerstone piece for whatever team he ends up with.
TyTy Washington- PG Kentucky
TyTy Washington would be a great complementary guard alongside CJ McCollum. The Kentucky guard can play either guard position but is most comfortable with the ball in his hands. Washington set a Kentucky record this season with 17 assists in a game in a matchup with Georgia. He also is effective when coming off screens and has great body control when attacking the basket.
It was expected for Washington to be an even higher selection before the season, but he underperformed in the higher-level matchups. The 6’3” guard battled an ankle injury throughout the year. There is hope he has more in the tank than he has fully showcased. He does not possess elite burst or athleticism but is crafty in the way he attacks. Kentucky guards tend to have a habit of outperforming their draft stock and New Orleans would be wise not to pass on TyTy Washington. He plays a winning brand of basketball and will be a positive addition to the current core.
AJ Griffin- SF Duke
AJ Griffin has the ideal body and style of play for an NBA wing. Standing 6’6” and weighing 220 pounds, Griffin is a switchable defender with solid athleticism. The ball dominance of Paolo Banchero prevented Griffin from fully asserting himself. He is unselfish to a fault but has the pieces to put it all together. The Duke product is a low-risk high-reward prospect with a style of play that fits the NBA better than college ball.
Pelicans fans clearly recognize his talent.
I also think AJ Griffin at 8 is also a fantastic option
— Pro Pels Talk (@ProPelsTalk) May 18, 2022
In total, he averaged 10.4 points and 3.9 rebounds while shooting 44.7% on three-pointers. His shooting ability is what has opened the NBA doors for him and he will look to build off this. Griffin has a great ability to shoot it on off-ball motion plays and can also create his own shot. Griffin also is not shy to use his size advantage when matched up against smaller players. While Griffin left some to be desired in terms of his assertiveness, there are not any glaring weaknesses in the 18-year-old’s game.
The Pelicans have plenty to build off from last year’s success. While they may not have gotten the top pick they hoped for, the franchise still has a great chance to add an impact player with the 8th pick. This draft has been regarded as top-heavy for quite some time but there are plenty of quality players beyond the top three. Look for New Orleans to be in search of another key piece of the puzzle when the draft occurs on June 23rd.
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