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The New Orleans Pelicans have been very hit-and-miss with their draft picks since EVP David Griffin took charge of the organization. Trey Murphy III, Herb Jones, and Jose Alvarado have boosted the team's ceiling. Players like Kira Lewis Jr., Jaxson Hayes, and Didi Louzada were sent packing for next to nothing in return. Others, like E.J. Liddell and Karlo Matkovic, have been stashed in Europe or with the G-League's Birmingham Squadron.
The Pelicans need frontcourt depth, especially if they cash in on Larry Nance Jr.'s expiring contract, but may only have room for one of their former 2022 NBA Draft second-rounders on the Opening Night roster. All signs point to Matkovic having a slight lead going into the summer. A team source has even explained Matkovic is more of a Nance Jr. replacement rather than an inexpensive Jonas Valanciunas fill-in.
Of course, this being the Pelicans, injuries have factored into the equation. Liddell lost developmental time after suffering a torn ACL in NBA Summer League play against the Atlanta Hawks on July 11, 2022. The Ohio State alum had a few call-ups to New Orleans but averaged 17.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, 1.9 blocks, and 1.6 assists in 26 games (18 starts) with the Squadron. The 240-pound, 6'6” forward was serviceable but shot only 27% from three-point range.
Pelicans found another overlooked gem
The Pelicans have found another overlooked gem that both helps the team win games and save money through luxury tax avoidance though. Matkovic stands at 6-feet-10 inches tall and weighs around 235 pounds. He was the 52nd overall pick in 2022 and has played the past two seasons with KK Cedevita Olimpija in Slovenia. During the most recent season, he averaged 15.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.4 blocks, and 1.1 steals while shooting an impressive 63% from the field.
Matkovic's adjustments on defense will take at least a little time, but his offensive game looks NBA-ready. He was the top-scoring center in ABA League action before departing for Birmingham, and there were some familiar names on that ABA list for NBA fans. The Croatian averaged 17.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks while shooting 61% from the field and 89% from the free throw line in 31 minutes a game over the first six games (two weeks) of being in the USA.
Those numbers only got better using American rules, including a 33% mark from three-point range on over two attempts per game. Matkovic averaged 17.3 points, 7.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.5 blocks, and 0.7 steals in G-League 10 games.
Karlo Matkovic wasted NO time! 😤
He threw down the sweet slam right out the gate. @GleagueSquadron pic.twitter.com/Yke4IPJKyY
— NBA G League (@nbagleague) March 12, 2024
Matković has represented Croatia in international events, including the 2022 FIBA EuroBasket, where he averaged six points and 3.5 rebounds as a teenager learning the ropes and soaking in the experience. His versatility on both ends of the court makes him a promising prospect, and Matkovic knew it when first arriving in the United States.
“I'm an athletic big that likes to run up and down…A lob threat than can shoot trying to space the floor,” Matkovic said. “I can put the ball on the floor a little bit…Defensively I'm fast. One through five, I try and defend like that and be a rim protector. I don't need to score points or whatever. I'm going to be there making screens.”
That sounds like the perfect kind of prospect to put next to Zion Williamson for a few stretches next season. Matkovic is in line to be in training camp with the Pelicans but a full NBA Summer League slate is still a long shot. The 23-year-old has proven capable of producing against better competition. Making the next step up into an NBA roster spot is the final hurdle in Matkovic's professional career.
