New Orleans Pelicans: Top 10 NBA Draft in franchise history

6. Buddy Hield (SG) — No. 6 pick in 2016 NBA Draft

Career stats (with the Pelicans, 2016-17):  57 GP, 8.6 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 1.4 APG, 0.3 SPG, 0.1 BPG, 39.3 FG%, 36.9 3P%, 87.9 FT%

Buddy Hield’s time with the Pelicans ended before it even began. However, he finds himself high on this list due to the flashes of brilliance he showed during his cameo in New Orleans.

Hield was drafted by the Pelicans after four seasons at Oklahoma. He came into the league with wide acclaim. Hield won the Naismith College Player of the Year and John R. Wooden awards. He also took home his second consecutive Big 12 Player of the Year award and was a 2016 consensus first-team All-American.

Hield is first and foremost a scorer. During his time in Norman, he learned how to create his own shot and do it at a high volume. Unfortunately, that ability didn’t immediately convert to the NBA. He shot 3-pointers (36.9 percent) and free throws (87.9) well in his short stay in New Orleans. However, his full field goal percentage was brought down by his struggles inside the arc, where he shot 41.7 percent.

Still, he was able to earn some accolades from his efforts. Hield was named Western Conference Rookie of the Month for December. He also represented All-Star game host New Orleans at the Rising Stars Challenge. He was the starting shooting guard for the World team, finishing with 28 points, six rebounds and three steals. The World won 150-141 over the USA.

However, the Rising Stars game was Hield’s last representing the Pelicans. On Feb. 20, 2017, Held was traded alongside Tyreke Evans, Langston Galloway, a 2017 first round and second round pick to the Kings. In exchange, the Pelicans received DeMarcus Cousins and Omri Casspi.

Hield received a greener light in Sacramento, bumping up his field goal attempts from 8.3 per game in New Orleans to 11.8. He would end the season on the All-Rookie First Team.

Hield wasn’t in New Orleans long, but he did kick off an All-Rookie-caliber season in the Crescent City. We’ll see if he ever becomes an All-NBA scorer or ever plays in a Pelicans uniform again.