The New Orleans Pelicans could add Jordan Smith Jr. with an early pick in the 2027 NBA draft.
The New Orleans Pelicans had to sit on the side and wait during the 2026 NBA draft, but they won't have to wait long next year if things end up going to plan.
CBS Sports' Cameron Salerno recently posted a way-too-early 2027 NBA mock draft to get an early look at what the field will be in a year. In it, the Pelicans walked away with the second overall pick and took Arkansas Razorbacks guard Jordan Smith Jr.
This might not be the strongest class in NBA history, but picking a top-end guard developed by John Calipari is usually a decision that works out well for teams.
No matter if they do end up with Smith or not, New Orleans should certainly end up with a top pick. The guidelines of the selection they own state that they will end up with the most favorable of their own or the Milwaukee Bucks pick, while the Atlanta Hawks get the less favorable.
In all of the mock drafts leading up to the season beginning, the Pelicans will be near the top as the Bucks just traded Giannis Antetokounmpo and are entering a rebuild. On paper, they'll have one of the weakest rosters in the NBA and will probably win few games, and New Orleans will end up in the top five.
Smith would be an interesting add, though not the best fit with the currently direction of the franchise as he and Jeremiah Fears would create a small back court. The Pelicans could just take advantage of having such a high pick and go with the best player possible and worrying about fit later.
The Virginia native is just 6-foot-2, though he has a near 6-foot-9 wingspan that makes him play a little bit bigger. That could be enough to help him fit next to Fears, at least. That wingspan really makes the defensive upside attractive for this coaching staff that preaches getting things done on that side first.
What will guide where Smith goes in the draft will be his scoring ability for the Razorbacks this season. If he can showcase three-level scoring to go along with his defensive upside, then he would certainly be worth looking at with a top-five pick.
Some other names to keep an eye on this college season will be Tyran Stokes, Caleb Holt and Bruce Branch III as the names who could be potential impact selections for New Orleans.
