THE The New Orleans Pelicans New Orleans lost a lot of depth players this summer. Many are focusing on the losses up front, like Jonas Valanciunas and Larry Nance, Jr. New Orleans also saw some key contributors leave on the back end this summer. Naji Marshall signed a three-year, $27 million contract to sign with the Dallas Mavericks.
Marshall shot a career-high 38.7 percent from three-point range last season and started 36 games for the Pelicans in his four years with the team. The team also traded versatile defender Dyson Daniels to the Atlanta Hawks in a deal to acquire Dejounte Murray. The Australian native was among the league’s best in deflections and averaged career-highs in points, rebounds and steals last season. Daniels started 16 games for the Pelicans last season.
With the loss of depth due to trades and free agency, the Pelicans will need some of their young players to step up this year. One of them is second-year guard Jordan Hawkins. Bleacher Report thinks Hawkins is New Orleans’ X-factor this season.
“Despite a tough three-point shooting regimen, Hawkins has made 36.6 percent of his 9.2 three-point attempts per 36 minutes. That’s serious volume, the kind of shot that can bend a defense to the point of breaking it. Not surprisingly, Hawkins has been automatic with his feet in place, shooting 41.2 percent from three. If the Pels can count on Hawkins, and if he can maintain his per-minute rates in a larger role, the sky will be the limit for this offense.”
Hawkins got off to a strong start last season. During the month of November, the former UConn standout averaged 30 minutes per game and scored 14.4 points on 36.7 percent from three-point range. Those numbers dropped off significantly as the season progressed. After the All-Star break in February, Hawkins never played more than 23 minutes in a game the rest of the year. He recorded six straight DNPs late in the season as the Pelicans battled for a playoff spot.
Hawkins remains one of the team’s best shooters, though, and shooting is a top priority in today’s NBA. The second-year point guard should take a leap forward this year, despite poor play in Summer League. Hawkins struggled at times to handle the ball and create shots off the dribble. He led the Pelicans with 3.6 turnovers in New Orleans’ five Summer League games in Las Vegas. He shot a mediocre 23 percent from beyond the arc, even though he averaged the most minutes on the team.
Hawkins has always been a confident player and could spend time in and out of the lineup this year. However, he has a unique shooting ability, and pairing him with Zion Williamson on the court is a deadly combination that will give defenders a hard time. If he can get consistent playing time and return to his early-season form from his rookie season, the Pelicans’ offense can reach even greater heights.
