2023 NBA Mock Draft 7.0: Final lottery simulation
69. . G, Connecticut. New Orleans Pelicans. Jordan Hawkins. 14. player
The Pelicans will be an elite offensive team if Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and CJ McCollum are ever healthy at the same time. With three talented shot creators, all skilled in different areas of the floor, and a diverse assortment of complementary players around them — Trey Murphy improving by leaps and bounds, Larry Nance flying above the rim, Jonas Valanciunas filling the lane — it’s tantalizing to think about.
Jordan Hawkins would be another weapon in the arsenal. UConn’s national title run certainly helped Hawkins establish himself as not only a first-round pick but a potential lottery selection. He’s probably the best pure shooter on the board, and if any single NBA skill can guarantee relevance, it’s shooting.
He’s primed for success at the next level. His off-ball movement is tailored to the modern game; he can shoot gunning around screens or pulling up out of a DHO. Put him on the wing, with Trey Murphy on the opposite side, while Zion rumbles down the lane, and defenses are going to crack faster than a water-logged sidewalk after a good freeze.
It’s fair to question what exactly Hawkins offers beyond his shooting. He competes hard on defense but he’s a skinny 6-foot-5 wing, so the upside is limited. He doesn’t create his own offense either, but he makes up for it with constant motion and selfless passing. In the end, his ceiling may be lower than other lottery picks, but the Pelicans already have their primary creators. Hawkins’ job is to space the floor and accentuate New Orleans’ stars.