2023 NBA Mock Draft 5.0: Pistons face difficult choice at No. 2
Keyonte George. 10. player. 69. . G, Baylor. New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans’ season hasn’t gone as planned, but they’re still one of the most promising young teams in the NBA. With depth at every position and multiple All-Star level pieces in place, a top-10 pick is mere luxury for New Orleans.
Enter Keyonte George, one of the most explosive scorers in college basketball who profiles as an instant-impact player at the next level. The most immediately translatable skill for George is his 3-point shooting. He’s one of the most versatile shooters in the class. Off movement, pulling up, standing still, it doesn’t matter. George will make the defense pay.
The Pelicans would also be investing in George’s upside as a creator. He may not get too many on-ball reps early on with the Pelicans, but George would likely get his opportunity to shine with the second unit. He’s comfortable navigating tight spaces off the bounce, using step-backs or side-steps to shed defenders before drowning them with pull-up jumpers. He doesn’t have the most explosive first step, but George makes up for it with craft. As a passer, he’s great at poking around the middle of the floor before zipping a line drive to the open shooter or cutter.
George is also a positive defender for his size, possessing impressive strength and a genuine desire to get stops. He’s only 6-foot-4, so there’s a natural defensive ceiling, but there isn’t a more complete player on the board in this range.