Courtesy of a summer 2019 trade with the Los Angeles Lakers that keeps on giving, New Orleans will pick eighth overall in Thursday’s 2022 NBA Draft, despite qualifying for the Western Conference playoffs. The Pelicans are expected to be on the clock less than an hour after the event begins at 7 p.m. Central (ESPN, ABC). Pelicans.com will have a draft preview show from 6-6:30 p.m., hosted by Daniel Sallerson and Erin Summers at the Smoothie King Center, which also can be viewed live on Twitter. For continued continued coverage throughout the night, visit our Pelicans Draft Central.
New Orleans also owns a pair of second-round selections (No. 41 and 52 overall). Here are a few key details for fans to know related to this evening’s draft:
Timing of Pelicans picks (all times Central, approximate)
Eighth overall pick: 7:51 p.m.
41st overall pick: 10:21 p.m.
52nd overall pick: 10:43 p.m.
Note: There are only a total of 58 picks in the 2022 draft, due to a pair of picks being voided. In normal years, there are 30 picks in each round, for a total of 60 selections.
Common mock draft projected names
A handful of players are commonly predicted to be selected by New Orleans at No. 8, such as:
Dyson Daniels, Australia guard
NBA.com: “Australian playmaker who — like fellow countryman Josh Giddey — is an above-average passer with court vision and desire to facilitate for teammates.”
Ousmane Dieng, France forward
NBA.com: “Intriguing wing with great size, potential as a shot maker, and fluidity with the ball who faced a steep learning curve in his first season playing outside of France.”
AJ Griffin, Duke forward
NBA.com: “One of the best scorers in the draft, thanks to an arsenal of moves and a solid midrange game.”
Bennedict Mathurin, Arizona guard
NBA.com: “A willing shooter who established himself as one of the nation’s best shooters off the catch.”
Shaedon Sharpe, Kentucky guard
NBA.com: “Athletic wing who can make a difference on both ends, with finishes around the rim and a reliable jump shot.”
Pelicans lottery history
If New Orleans officially selects a player at No. 8, it will be the sixth-highest lottery pick in team history. The five players chosen by the franchise prior to the eighth pick are Zion Williamson (No. 1 in 2019), Anthony Davis (No. 1 in 2012), Chris Paul (No. 4 in 2005), Buddy Hield (No. 6 in 2016) and Nerlens Noel (No. 6 in 2013).