NEW ORLEANS — NBA Draft Day is here, and the Atlanta Hawks are on the clock with the No. 1 pick.
For the first time in five years, the New Orleans Pelicans won't make a pick in the lottery, which consists of the first 14 picks.
Pels fans will have to wait until the 21st pick for the team to select its newest member. Most outlets have them selecting a center since they are not expected to retain Jonas Valanciunas.
Brandon Ingram is reportedly on the trade block and could be traded Wednesday night for draft capital. Ingram is up for a four-year extension this summer worth about $208 million. The former All-Star averaged just over 20 points per game this season but struggled to carry the offenses in the playoffs.
Also, the Pelicans do not have a second-round pick.
The first round of the 2024 NBA Draft will air on ESPN at 7 p.m. C.T. Wednesday, and the second round will air on ESPN on Thursday at 3 p.m. C.T.
This year's draft is considered one of the worst in the modern era, with no consensus No.1 pick.
Here are a few players that mock drafts have the Pelicans selecting with their first-round pick:
Yves Missi, C, Baylor
Kel'el Ware, C, Indiana
Isaiah Collier, G, USC
Bub Carrington, G, Pitt
Kyle Filipowski, Duke, C
These potential picks were featured in mock drafts from ESPN, CBS Sports, The Athletic, Sports Illustrated, NBA.com, and The Ringer.
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