With nearly two-thirds of his preseason field-goal attempts coming from three-point range, it’s clear Jordan Hawkins already understands his primary job description: Knock down perimeter shots, space the floor for his New Orleans teammates. Described by many analysts as “the best shooter in the 2023 draft,” the No. 14 overall pick’s bread-and-butter is evident. While helping to lead UConn to the NCAA championship this spring, Hawkins sank 43 percent of his looks from beyond the arc.
Still, the 21-year-old rookie also hopes to demonstrate that he’s not solely a spot-up gunner with a narrow skill set.
“I’m trying to become a two-way player,” Hawkins said of contributing on defense and offense. “The shooting’s always going to be there, but I’m trying to expand things from my shooting and be a three-level scorer.”
“He can come off a pindown (screen), catch and shoot, put it on the floor, finish at the rim,” said Pelicans guard Dyson Daniels, who played extensively next to Hawkins in preseason. “He’s got a lot more to his game than just shooting.”
“He’s a shooter,” forward Naji Marshall described. “Electric. He can get out in transition and has bounce.”
New Orleans was an average three-point shooting team last season percentage-wise (36.4, ranked 15th), but only 29th in attempts (30.1 per game). Hawkins fits a need to increase the Pelicans’ volume and accuracy from beyond the arc, leading the club with 30 tries in preseason (next was CJ McCollum with 22). New Orleans used the final pick of the ’23 lottery on a player who could help make up for the short-term injury absence of Trey Murphy (41 percent on 6.3 attempts per game last season).
“It’s something we wanted to add to our team, what Hawk brings,” third-year head coach Willie Green said of the Maryland native. “There are other parts of his game, but his shooting ability on the move in different ways (is valuable). Flares, coming off screens, he’s a great shot-faker. He can put the ball on the floor and make decisions from there. He’s a winner. He won on the college level and has experience. I think (his game is) unique for a rookie, but it’s definitely something that we watched on tape (while scouting draft prospects). Getting to see him even more, he’s got a bright future.”
At this extremely early stage of his pro career, Hawkins has enjoyed the difference between the style of play in the NBA and college. In preseason, he saw some court time with NOLA’s array of offensive weapons.
“It’s unreal. (Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson) and CJ, they’re professional scorers,” Hawkins said. “They can get any basket they want. I can help give them open lanes with my shooting gravity.”
The 6-foot-5, 190-pounder also appreciates being able to find more cracks in opposing defenses, which can’t heavily focus on trying to shut down his perimeter looks. That’s a common challenge for the most talented NCAA players.
“It’s way easier than college, I’ll tell you that,” Hawkins said of what’s required in the NBA to get open. “In college I was at the top of every (defense’s) scouting report. Here, we have three guys who average 20-plus (points) and have been in the league for many years. I’m going to have a chance to get some open shots.”