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New Orleans Pelicans: Ranking the last ten first-round picks

By Rudi Richards

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - MARCH 06: Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts against the Miami Heat during a game at the Smoothie King Center on March 06, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - MARCH 06: Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts against the Miami Heat during a game at the Smoothie King Center on March 06, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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New Orleans Pelicans
New Orleans Pelicans Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images /

The New Orleans Pelicans have been a team involved heavily in the draft lottery over the past years. Here we rank their recent first-round selections.

It’s fair to say that the New Orleans Pelicans organization hasn’t enjoyed much success since entering the league prior to the 2002-03 season. The franchise has only two playoff series wins – one as the Hornets and one as the Pelicans, which came just two seasons ago. After being in contention for the top-pick on so many occasions over the past years, the team finally seems to be in a positive situation for everyone involved.

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Trading Anthony Davis to the Los Angeles Lakers was the big decision that ended up an ominous one. It’s not an easy thing to do – getting yourselves into a good situation after trading one of the best five players in the league, but they’ve managed to do it.

The Pelicans will hope that drafting potential superstar Zion Williamson last summer becomes the true turning point in their path towards future success, and with the assets that they have around him, this looks like a team that could well be a contender down the road.

Through the draft, the last five Pelicans picks have been in the top 10 – an area that puts you in a great position to get good talent. In recent years the draft classes available at that point in the draft have been very strong, and the Pelicans have lacked in with their selections in various years.

The majority of first-round picks in franchise history have been pretty respectable choices. There are a number of selections who have enjoyed solid NBA careers. Early year selections include former All-Star David West and NBA champion J.R. Smith, as well as Chris Paul, arguably one of the greatest pure point-guards in league history.

Their last 10 might not all be selections to this extent, but as they’ve been in pole position a number of times they couldn’t really miss. However, looking at their picks outside of the one-spot, there are plenty of questionable choices to look at as well. Let’s rank those last 10 first-rounders:

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