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The New Orleans Pelicans have one of the most exciting young cores in the NBA. They are coming off an impressive season which included them making the playoffs for the first time since the 2017-18 season. The growth of Brandon Ingram helped elevate the team and they even won two games over the top-seeded Phoenix Suns. The success is especially exciting considering Zion Williamson has yet to return to the team.
While most of the growth of the team will count on their continued development together, the Pelicans cannot afford to get stagnant. The franchise has a chance to improve the roster this offseason which starts with the NBA draft. New Orleans currently holds the 8th overall pick in the draft. There are plenty of solid options available but here are two guys the Pelicans would be wise to avoid with the selection.
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2 players Pelicans must avoid in 2022 NBA Draft
Shaedon Sharpe- Guard, Kentucky
One of the most interesting storylines in recent draft history, no one truly knows what to expect with Shaedon Sharpe. The former number one prospect of the 2022 recruiting class was reclassified to join Kentucky midseason. Despite enrolling in the school in January, Sharpe never suited up for the team.
The 19-year-old has an intriguing skill set, frame, and athleticism, but is a major risk for whatever team elects to draft him, including the Pelicans. Sharpe is a high-level finisher with 6'5″ size and impressive shot creation. He has great shooting footwork and has the feel of a high-level NBA player.
Shaedon Sharpe Strengths
(2/3) pic.twitter.com/JewhSWsBD4
— Global Scouting (@GlobalScouting_) June 9, 2022
The lack of game film and matchups against high-level talent makes drafting Shaedon Sharpe such a risk. If he had taken a more traditional route in college there is a real chance he is a surefire top-five pick. However, this is not the case and there is not enough film to confidently judge from. Shaedon Sharpe jumps off the page when looking at his highlights but the level of competition is very suspect. His talent will certainly earn him a chance, but the Pelicans would be better served to draft a more concrete prospect.
Johnny Davis- Guard, Wisconsin
Johnny Davis was undoubtedly one of the best college players in the country last season. He averaged 19.7 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. Davis was a consensus All-American and the 2021-22 Big Ten Player of the Year. He also tended to play his best against high-level competition. In matchups with top-25 teams, Davis averaged 25.6 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game while connecting on 39.5% of his three-point attempts. He is a true competitor and rises to the moment.
While Davis is a legitimate NBA talent, he does not check the boxes the Pelicans should be targeting. New Orleans has its core intact with Brandon Ingram, CJ McCollum, and Zion Williamson each set to be fairly ball-dominant. Johnny Davis was one of the more ball-dominant players in college basketball and had a usage rate just shy of 33%. For context, Luka Doncic led the NBA in usage percentage last season at 37.4%.
While the defensive play of Johnny Davis projects well, he may need too much of the ball to be effective offensively when making the NBA leap. There also is some concern surrounding his shooting. Davis shot 37% on 4.6 three-point attempts during the first 15 games but shot just 23.1% on 3.3 attempts per game over the final 16. The Pelicans should be targeting complementary pieces who play well off their main stars. Adding reliable spot-up shooters should be high on this checklist. Johnny Davis may still have a bright NBA future, but it would not be best served with the New Orleans Pelicans.
