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Louisville basketball: The three best NBA fits for Jordan Nwora

By Dalton Pence

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - FEBRUARY 08: Jordan Nwora #33 of the Louisville Cardinals celebrates after making a three-point shot against the Virginia Cavaliers during the first half of the game at KFC YUM! Center on February 08, 2020 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - FEBRUARY 08: Jordan Nwora #33 of the Louisville Cardinals celebrates after making a three-point shot against the Virginia Cavaliers during the first half of the game at KFC YUM! Center on February 08, 2020 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images) /
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LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – FEBRUARY 08: Jordan Nwora #33 of the Louisville Cardinals celebrates with recording artist Jack Harlow after defeating the Virginia Cavaliers at KFC YUM! Center on February 08, 2020 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – FEBRUARY 08: Jordan Nwora #33 of the Louisville Cardinals celebrates with recording artist Jack Harlow after defeating the Virginia Cavaliers at KFC YUM! Center on February 08, 2020 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images) /

New Orleans Pelicans

Picks: 13 (first round), 39, 43, 60 (Second round) 

Speaking of needing shooters, the Pelicans are in dire need of them. JJ Redick will come off the books in the offseason and there is no telling whether or not he desires to return. Brandon Ingram has shown improvement while Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Lonzo Ball offer potential, but it’s not enough. Giving franchise centerpiece Zion Williamson room to operate should be at the forefront; New Orleans will likely have three second-rounders, and like Philly,  should take a flyer on Nwora.

Unlike the other two teams mentioned, New Orleans is in a rebuilding state. Adding NBA-ready contributors, especially ones that shoot almost 40% in college, is just what the doctor has ordered in the Big Easy. Nwora would belong to a group of promising young players looking to find their identity, but if he is looking for a definite role, New Orleans could be the ideal landing spot.

While Pelicans fans might point to someone like Kenrich Williams a player already filling this role, Nwora might be able to provide the same defensive prowess while also doing a lot more on the offensive end of the floor.

Owning three picks in the second round of this year’s draft and with Nwora projected to fall somewhere between the 25th and 40th picks.

While his ceiling might not be as towering as others around the draft, Nwora has a low floor and seems like at least a good role player for a long time in this league. If he hits, it could be an insurance policy if Josh Hart gets a sizeable restricted free agent offer next summer.

Depending on what they select or do with their first pick, the New Orleans Pelicans could even move up the board if they saw the forward as a good fit for the team; adding four new prospects in the draft sounds like a lot for a team that has playoff aspirations next season.

dark. Next. Louisville basketball 2021 recruiting big board

This would be the fit that most Louisville fans would love; being a proven three-level scorer and active rebounder will almost certainly get Nwora drafted. The organization has added a ton of ACC flavor, and what better way to continue that trend than adding a first-team all-conference selection for cheap?

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