The New Orleans Pelicans are unlikely to make a deep playoff run this year, but that could change very soon.
With guys like CJ McCollum and Jonas Valancunas, they have some solid veterans who could use their experience to take NOLA to new heights.
More importantly, the Pels have a talented young core that is good enough to keep the team relevant for years. They have at least seven players under 25 that could become key members of the roster going forward.
For 21-year-olds Kira Lewis Jr., Trey Murphy, and Jaxson Hayes, the jury is still very much out on what kind of impact they can have for the Pelicans. Still, all three have shown flashes of potential that could be foreshadowing a bigger role moving forward.
Meanwhile, 24-year-old Brandon Ingram has emerged as a legitimate star in New Orleans. In these playoffs, the guy has stepped up in a huge way with averages of 29.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game on 51% shooting.
Lastly, there’s Zion Williamson. When he’s on the court, the guy is simply impossible to stop thanks to his size, strength, and the natural athleticism that helped make him so popular at Duke. Sadly, Zion is a bit of a question mark at the moment in light of his injury-riddled season and all the rumors that have surfaced about his displeasure in New Orleans.
“Just on the big picture here, I don’t know if Zion Williamson is gonna ever play for the Pelicans again,” said Jordan Schultz. “He’s played 85 games in his career. If you don’t trade him this summer, what are you going to get for him long term? If you don’t believe he’s going to stay healthy, what are we talking about here? I think there is a very good chance he will not be back, and they will trade him this summer — or at least strongly explore trading him.”
On paper, the Pelicans have the potential to be contenders next season. They have a pair of stars, some young legs to keep the team fresh, and some really talented vets to keep everyone in line and steady the team in tight situations.
How the talent will all come together will depend on a number of factors, but there are good reasons to feel optimistic about the future of Pelicans basketball.
