New Orleans Pelicans: Top 10 NBA Draft in franchise history

10. Darius Miller (SF) — No. 46 pick in 2012 NBA Draft

Career stats (with the Pelicans/Hornets, 2012-14, 2017-present):  102 GP, 3.1 PPG, 1.3 RPG, 0.9 APG, 0.4 SPG, 0.2 BPG, 42.0 FG%, 35.1 3P%, 84.1 FT%

This top 10 list begins with a player that struggled mightily in his initial run with the team. However, Darius Miller has worked to earn a second chance in New Orleans. He hopes to rewrite his Pelicans legacy with this opportunity.

Miller was among six other Kentucky Wildcats selected in the 2012 NBA Draft, including fellow Pelican Anthony Davis. The team was coming off of a national championship and a 38-2 record, so the Wildcat hype was real.

However, unlike Davis, Miller couldn’t make a big impact with the team. He played the role of a third-string small forward, averaging only 14.6 minutes per game in his first two seasons. He averaged 3.3 points and 1.3 rebounds per game over that span. Miller could only muster a 7.7 Player Efficiency Rating and 1.3 total win shares.

Despite his struggles, New Orleans re-signed him in the summer of 2014. However, the team waived him only five games into the following season.

Forced to find work elsewhere, Miller signed with German team Brose Baskets in February 2015. He spent two and a half successful seasons with the club, winning two German League championships and being named Finals MVP for the latter title. He was named to the All-German League first team in 2017 and second team in 2016.

This production earned Miller another contract with the Pelicans. He signed a two-year, $4.3 million deal on July 24. After a rocky start to his NBA career, Miller will have a chance to redeem himself in 2017-18.