NBA Draft: Grading every first-round pick after rookie year
PG. New Orleans Pelicans. Kira Lewis Jr.. 13. player. 69.
NBA Draft: Grading every first-round pick after rookie year: 13. Kira Lewis Jr.
Stats:
- 6.4 points
- 1.3 rebounds
- 2.3 assists
It’s all about the youth movement in New Orleans. Zion Williamson is clearly leading the charge there and with All-Star Brandon Ingram as well as the much improved Lonzo Ball, the New Orleans Pelicans have a team that can do a few things in the future.
Despite having Ball on the roster, the Pelicans decided to add another point guard in Kira Lewis Jr. Ball has always been considered a pass-first player but with Lewis Jr., he showed an ability to get his own shot. In his second year at Alabama, Lewis Jr. Averaged 18.5 points in 37.6 minutes. His numbers in the league, on the other hand, have been pretty awful.
Playing behind a long list of ball handlers, Lewis Jr. only saw the court for roughly 16.7 minutes a night. He scored just 6.4 points per game on 38.6 percent from the field. In short, he wasn’t much of a factor.
If towel-waving and cheering for teammates were an actual skill, Lewis Jr. would be lapping the field. But, considering that he was selected to score the ball on a consistent basis and failed to do so, his first year in the league simply wasn’t a good one.
Grade: D-