The New Orleans Pelicans may have missed out on a first-rounder in the latest draft cycle, but the next wave of talent is already worth tracking. Thanks to the pick they own from the Milwaukee Bucks, New Orleans could be back in the early part of the 2027 NBA Draft, and that means the focus shifts quickly to the names at the top.
That pick situation is a big one for the Pelicans. New Orleans gets the best of its own first-round pick and Milwaukee’s, and with the Bucks tearing things down, the odds could tilt in a way that matters. The new lottery rules leave plenty unsettled for now, but the Pelicans still have a chance to land a valuable selection next summer.
If that happens, there are already a few prospects who fit the conversation.
The headliner is Kansas wing Tyran Stokes, who enters the season as the clear favorite to go No. 1 overall. He brings the kind of physical tools that jump off the page right away.
Stokes is a strong athlete, dangerous getting downhill, and has a polished offensive package overall. The one missing piece is shooting, but even with that gap, he stands out as the most versatile player in the class because of his size and his passing ability for a young prospect.
Arkansas guard Jordan Smith Jr. is another name to keep on the radar. The fit alongside Jeremiah Fears in a long-term backcourt would raise questions because of size, but Smith’s offense is hard to ignore.
If Arkansas uses him the way Darius Acuff was used, he could pile up points in a hurry. In a draft without a clean-cut superstar at the very top, a player with a defined NBA role like Smith could become especially appealing.
Then there’s Arizona’s Caleb Holt, a more natural two-guard who brings a different look than the others. At 6-foot-5, he has the size to play more like a wing than a ball-handling guard, and he carries the best defensive ceiling of the three.
That kind of versatility could line up well with what the Pelicans’ coaching staff has been trying to build. If his three-point shot comes around, Holt has the kind of upside that could push him into the top spot conversation.
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Pelicans Still Face One Contract Debate As Dejounte Murray Rebounds
Dejounte Murrays standing around the league has changed enough that the Pelicans can at least breathe easier about one of their pricier commitments. Murray was removed from a recent list of the NBAs worst contracts, a small but meaningful development for a New Orleans team trying to sort out its long-term salary picture while keeping enough on hand to compete now. He still has two years left on the deal, including a player option for next season, but the expectation is that hell be part of the rotation and provide real value this season.
Even with that bit of relief, the contract conversation in New Orleans is far from settled. The Pelicans are also focused on building around Jeremiah Favors as the future point guard, which puts a spotlight on how the roster is taking shape beyond Murray. Jordan Pooles expiring contract is another piece of the puzzle, and in some eyes it may end up looking like the teams toughest financial question if the season doesnt go the right way. [Read more 🡒]
Pelicans Quiet Offseason Puts Dumars And This Roster Under Pressure
Joe Dumars made it clear the Pelicans were active behind the scenes this offseason, saying the front office had plenty of trade conversations but never found a deal that truly improved the team enough to justify pulling the trigger. For a roster that has now gone through back-to-back seasons with fewer than 30 wins, the lack of movement stands out, especially with most of the core still in place and Jamahl Mosley arriving as the new head coach to try to steer a group that has not met expectations.
The bigger issue for New Orleans is what comes next. Dumars comments suggest patience for now, but they also leave the franchise in a familiar spot, stuck between wanting to compete and needing real change to get there. With the offseason largely quiet and the roster mostly intact, the Pelicans enter the year with a new coach, an experienced executive making the calls and an open question about whether the next decisive move is still coming. [Read more 🡒]