NBA Mock Draft 1.0: Getting to know Paolo Banchero, Chet Holmgren

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NBA Draft prospect Jaden Hardy (Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports) /

2. New Orleans Pelicans – Jaden Hardy, G, G League

For the New Orleans Pelicans, hitting with this No. 2 overall pick or not could be the difference in this team having to hit the hard reset next season or continuing with this build around Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson.

Jaden Hardy is an interesting pick as there are some similarities between him and Jalen Green, perhaps none more than the fact that Hardy decided to follow Green’s footsteps in deciding against college to play in the NBA G League instead.

Hardy is a scoring machine and the offensively gifted guard averaged 30 points, nine rebounds, and 8.4 assists per game during his junior season in high school – he didn’t play during his senior season of high school due to a myriad of non-basketball reasons. Hardy was the No. 2 ranked high school player.