The New Orleans Pelicans are aiming for a change in identity going into the 2025-26 NBA season. After trading Brandon Ingram and appointing Bill Laimbeer as the new vice president of basketball operations, replacing David Griffin, the Pelicans have to hope to make it back to postseason basketball finally.
That is going to make their offseason very intriguing, especially as they hold the seventh overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. However, rather than going after their obvious area of need, one analyst believes the Pelicans will capitalize on a dramatic draft day slide.
Could the New Orleans Pelicans Benefit From the Philadelphia 76ers’ Drama?
Going into the draft process, Ace Bailey felt like the clear-cut third-best prospect, with a potential selection by the Philadelphia 76ers incoming. However, his decision to pass on a workout with Philly might complicate matters.
As a result, Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo Sports has Rutgers falling to the seventh overall pick in his mock draft. The 6-foot-8 combo forward put up 17.6 points on 46% shooting from the field for his program. And O’Connor believes that kind of scoring punch is hard to pass up on.
“Bailey is a ridiculous shot-making machine, capable of splashing contested jumpers from every spot on the floor and with the swagger of a throwback bucket-getter. And he wants to be a star too, so the vision is there.”
However, he does see a problem in Bailey’s overall game, claiming, “It’s hard to have watched these playoffs and believe Bailey is anywhere close to seeing his style translate.” But he does believe there is a path to superstardom for the Rutgers product.
2 more sleeps until Ace Bailey puts that Wizards hat on.
Keep willing it into existence đŸ˜¤
— riley ｼ (@rileyricharrds) June 23, 2025
“Bailey’s raw edges as a shot creator and defender need major sanding down to turn him into a full-on star.” However, there is virtually no guarantee that Bailey falls this far in the draft. As a result, the latest mock draft from PFSN is going the more immediate need route for New Orleans.
With last year’s rookie Yves Missi showing some flashes of potential, the Pelicans have at least one serviceable center on the roster. But the rest of their big man rotation leaves a lot to be desired. As a result, Brandon Austin of PFSN, in his latest mock draft, has them taking Khaman Maluach out of Duke.
MORE: Try Our Free NBA Mock Draft Simulator
7-foot-2 with an incredible 9-foot-8 wingspan, Maluach is a nightmare for opposing offenses to deal with in the paint. Still raw talent (he picked up basketball when he was 13 years old), the ceiling is indeed high for a rim-rolling big man.
But the potential for a more refined offensive game is present, and the defensive ceiling, both in the paint and when switching out to guards, should make him an immediately impactful player.
Bailey is a lucrative pick. But with the Pelicans’ needs, Maluach is a far smarter bet for a team that has to be contending with the idea of tearing it all down, if things don’t turn around fast.
