What’s Next For Zion And The Pelicans Is… Strange
The New Orleans Pelicans were SUPPOSED to be next… a ton of young talent and future draft picks, a superstar in the making in Zion Williamson… they had arguably the brightest future in the entire league a few seasons ago. What the OKC Thunder have been this season – that is what a lot of people thought the Pelicans would become… and it just hasn’t happened. 42 wins 2 seasons ago, 49 wins last season before Zion got hurt and they lost in the playoffs… all leading to this year – the most anticipated Pelicans season in recent memory. They added DeJounte Murray in the offseason to a starting lineup that looked like it could contend for a top 6 seed in the Western conference… and from that moment on pretty much everything went wrong. Murray was hurt to start the year, as was basically the entire roster, then once he came back he tore his achilles, Zion barely played… and now they have one of the worst records in the entire league, and absolutely no direction for their future. Brandon Ingram is gone, Zion has played less than 30 games again, their 2 best guards are either getting older or tore their achilles or both… and they truly have no idea where to go from here.
#zion #pelicans #nba
27 Comments
Should have overpaid to keep Jonas Valenciunus. He was more valuable than Ingram and was the glue that kept everything together.
As a pelicans fan. Personally think to tank the rest of the season get a top pick. Try next year and see by trade deadline. If Zion still always hurt, if the other players not getting it together. Blow it up and trade Zion imo
It’s not so simple to get Cooper Flag. It’s very possible he get more NIL money than an NBA rookie salary
I think you give Zion til the trade deadline of next season and if he’s “Injured” you do your best to trade him then and there or in the offseason. If he’s could stay healthy man he’s a top 5 player but the dude can’t put the food down.
For problem number 3, I have some answers. Even though they lost key pieces in Dyson Daniels and Naji Marshall, or even Larry Nance Jr and Valanciunas, who both don't really fit the timeline of the young core, there are a few bright spots on this roster.
There is the ones you mentioned as core pieces, which are Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones. Missi can be great as well. But now there is also Karlo Matkovich, a hardworking big that has legit spacing options and good passing instincts. He's not as explosive, athletic or as defensively gifted as Missi is, but he's no slouch on defense and neither is he unathletic.
Then there is Jose Alvarado, who's been a solid option for them since Dejounté went out with injury. For sure he's been a more efficient option overall than Murray. And while he's not the massive impact defender that Murray was for NOP, he's still a very clear positive on that end.
Jordan Hawkins is still a legit good shooter. His consistancy hasn't been great with his back problems, but over the last 4-5 games it is starting to seriously pick up. This season, he also shows legit promise as a defender. He's not there yet, but give him another season and I think he can be a two-way player with amazing shooting and some ballhandling and passing to go with that. He should be counted as the long term core if he develops according to plan.
There is also Brandon Boston Jr., a player that is currently on a two-way contract, but has started for them in the absense of healthy players for quite a few games. He's a very good perimeter guard defender, also has some length there. And while his playmaking needs some work and experience, his scoring, especially from the longer midrange has been extremely reliable. He has that freethrow range jumper that he hits at high efficiency. A little unsure if and how he will fit, but so far I see promise for him.
Finally there is Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Antonio Reeves. Neither of them have been very efficient offensively, but they work hard on defense and JRE in particular makes a lot of effort and hustle plays that result in extra possessions, while also being a solid large defensive body. They are one good season away from being a core rotation player, JRE already has seen very good minutes over his career, while Reeves is simply a rookie that is developing that has had some bright moments too but also inconsistant minutes and usage.
Their core seems to be: Zion, Trey, Herb, Alvarado, Hawkins, Missi, Matkovic. To that they can add some of their veterans, Kelly Olynyk seems like a very good option next to Zion, with his spacing and passing being a great fit. They can also play him next to Missi or Matkovic, so the rim protection doesn't really suffer.
I've not been convinced Bruce Brown is supposed to be here, he's been massively underwhelming so far on both ends of the floor, but CJ McCollum will still be a great asset to have as long as they have cap space to keep him around. His veteranship and professionalism helps the young guys, while also playing very well off Zion with his shotmaking and having some solid ballhandling breaking down defenders, which they also lack outside of Zion and TM3.
I definitely don’t wanna see New Orleans or Charlotte get a top 3 pick. They just aren’t serious franchises at this point.
Idk if we can call Zion a true bust because of how good he is in the court, I’d describe him as an absolute Waste.
Zion williams is lame asl ong
Weren't they at our near the top of the west around Christmas of 2022? It's all been downhill since
It didn’t look like it content for top 6, even this channel agreed NO looked like a championship-level team. Stop the cap.
None of what you said matters if they don't get another coach. He is horrible!
Zion have been overweight for his while career, has a ton of injuries and doesn't really lead them anywhere but the Pelican still believe in him.
Meanwhile, Luka led the Mavs to the Finals and just started to pick up some injuries and they yeet him away in just 6 months.
Find a life partner who believe in you as much as the Pelican believe in Zion's health
it's so funny they had such a great team and they picked to build around and trade all of the worst options 😂
Bad take. The roster is fine. They need a quality starter at center and probably a new coach. Also, They have 4 first rounders over the next two drafts.
Take a breathe dude. Good lord. Its stressful to listen to you.
Hopefully they get the 2 spot, cause there’s no way the NBA doesn’t give the Jazz the 1st pick
We are in a worse situation now then we were during the offseason
CJ WOuld be good with ORLANDO or DENVER
ZION will be good with BKN
NETS try for BOOKER
Maybe entertain a Jared McCain and picks trade for Zion. And draft cooper Flagg or ace Bailey.
If Zion a bust then you have to say embiid is a bust
Both been more than productive but hurt a lot
I think last nites loss to the Rockets is a great example of why you need to play big bodies alongside Zion. You cannot let the defense build a wall in front of him. You need somebody to be able to set screens and create lanes for him. It doesnt need to be much just a tiny space is all he needs. Missis running is great but hes not there as a screensetter yet.
Tough spot. You can’t depend on him to stay healthy and if you trade him you get Not much value back
ZION is the perfect fit to JOKIC
2:45 why did you put mini Zion trying to peek into the screen 😂
Pelicans aren’t a bad team they’re just injured I don’t think this guy knows ball
Salads and ozempic obviously
The Pelicans need a change from ownership on down to rebuild the franchise from the ground up, but I could be wrong. Zion really is Larry Johnson 2.0. He's great when he's healthy, but he will be a huge what-if kind of player when all is said and done.