New Orleans Pelicans: 5 options for pick No. 40 in 2017 NBA Draft
By Frank Urbina
5. Tyler Dorsey, SG, Oregon
College stats (So. year): 39 GP, 14.6 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 1.7 APG, 2.3 3s, 0.8 STL, 0.1 BLK, 1.5 TOs, 46.7 FG%, 42.3 3PT%, 75.5 FT%, 30.0 MPG
The 2016-17 Pelicans were one of the worst three-point shooting teams in the league, making just 35.0 percent of their attempts (good for 19th overall). As such, they need to reload on shooting this offseason.
One good option in the draft who would do just that is Oregon 2-guard, Tyler Dorsey.
The former Duck is one of the best shooters in his class; over his two years in college, Dorsey nailed 41.6 percent of his threes. Considering he attempted 373 heaves from beyond the arc during that time, we have a pretty good gauge of how translatable that skill will be.
Dorsey used a late-season run of breathtaking shot-making to shoot up draft boards. To that point, per Draft Express’ mock history feature, he wasn’t considered a potential early draft entrant. However, that changed over his final eight games — all of which were postseason action.
In that span, Dorsey averaged 23.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.3 steals per game on absurd shooting splits of .587/.558/.761. What’s more, three of the defenses he lit up were top 30 in defensive efficiency, per the great KenPom, including Arizona’s 29th-ranked unit.
For a New Orleans side lacking perimeter scorers, taking a flier on the 6’4″ shooting guard at pick No. 40 would make a lot of sense.