NBA Draft 2020: Mock Draft 1.0
. GUARD / NEW ZEALAND. New Orleans Pelicans. R.J. Hampton. 13. player. 69
The Pelicans have addressed every position — it’s a mostly balanced roster. That said, another playmaker on the perimeter wouldn’t hurt, and R.J. Hampton is arguably the top prospect on the board at this stage. He would be eligible for immediate minutes behind Lonzo Ball, Jrue Holiday, and J.J. Redick in the backcourt.
Hampton has missed a large chunk of the NBL season due to injury, similar to LaMelo Ball. He still showed enough prior to the injury — both in high school and in the NBL — to leave scouts confident in his talent. He shouldn’t fall much further than this, regardless of positional fit.
For New Orleans, Hampton can add a bit more dynamism to halfcourt sets next to Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram. He would end up in a battle for playing time with Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who occupies a similar space, but NOLA doesn’t have any more pressing areas of need. Talent wins out.