Pelicans' NBA Draft Moves Left Much to Be Desired
Summary
The New Orleans Pelicans received a low grade for their moves in the 2026 NBA draft. They only selected one player, Jaron Pierre Jr., late in the second round, which led to criticism about their overall draft strategy.Key Facts
- The Pelicans got a D grade from ESPN's Ben Golliver for their 2026 NBA draft.
- They traded away their unprotected 2026 first-round pick last year to move up and select Derik Queen.
- Luckily, that pick ended up as the No. 8 overall in the draft, which prevented heavier criticism.
- In 2026, the Pelicans only picked Jaron Pierre Jr. at No. 58 overall in the second round.
- Jaron Pierre Jr. is 23 years old and the same high school class as Detroit Pistons star Cade Cunningham.
- Pierre is older than most draftees but has had more time to develop his skills before joining the NBA.
- The low grade reflects broader criticism of how the Pelicans have managed their draft picks, not just their choice of Pierre.
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