The New Orleans Pelicans have selected SMU Mustangs guard Jaron Pierre Jr. with the No. 58 overall pick in the 2026 NBA draft.
It comes way later than anyone expected, but the New Orleans Pelicans have made their first selection of the 2026 NBA draft with SMU Mustangs guard Jaron Pierre Jr. at the No. 58 overall slot.
The entire NBA rumor world was ablaze with the Pelicans wanting to get back into the first round on Tuesday night, but instead, they stayed back and waited for the draft to come to them.
With Pierre, they are bringing a play back to the city. He graduated from St. Augustine high school in New Orleans. He was a bit of a journeyman in college, but ended it starring with the Mustangs.
The 23-year-old is averaging 17.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists per night on 46.2/37.0/75.8 shooting splits last year. He peaked at 21.6 points per game with the Jacksonville State Gamecocks two seasons ago.
He isn't one of these college players who shot 45% from three, but that is one of his strengths as a prospect. The Pelicans needed floor spacers and here, they got one.
While guard isn't the biggest need for New Orleans, it would be a bigger one if they decide to shake their roster up and trade guys like Jordan Poole and Dejounte Murray. Pierre is someone who projects as a fit next to Jeremiah Fears long-term, which is the only thing that matters right now.
The rookie guard is likely to spend most of his first season in the G League, developing. The organization did just move that team back to being local in Kenner, so that will be a fun wrinkle as Pierre heads back home.
This is one of the picks received by the Pelicans at this year's trade deadline when they sent Jose Alvarado to the New York Knicks. Unfortunately, Alvarado had to leave the team, but it doesn't seem like they were going to re-sign him anyway, so they did get at least something for him. Pierre is a great way to start.
