Friday, the New Orleans Pelicans introduced they’re exercising the third-year possibility on goaltender Jordan Hawkins. The previous UConn sharpshooter averaged 7.8 factors and a pair of.2 rebounds in simply over 17 minutes per recreation throughout his rookie season. New Orleans is hoping for a major bounce from Hawkins in his second 12 months within the league.
Given the rise in minutes within the lineup, the previous first-round decide shined in the course of the first month and a half of final season. Hawkins averaged 11.5 factors on 38% capturing from past the arc, together with a 31-point outburst on the street in opposition to the Denver Nuggets. This stretch of basketball noticed him rating double figures in 10 of the primary 15 video games of the season.
These averages dropped sharply as soon as Pelicans ahead Trey Murphy III returned to the lineup. As soon as the calendar turned to February, Hawkins spent most video games on the finish of the bench. He scored in double figures simply as soon as after the All-Star break. Nonetheless, the Pelicans want him to be a constant contributor this 12 months.
New Orleans misplaced invaluable wing depth off the bench when Naji Marshall signed with the Dallas Mavericks and Dyson Daniels was traded to the Atlanta Hawks. Hawkins entered Summer time League desirous to show that he had improved in his NBA rookie debut. Sadly, it wasn’t a very good efficiency for the previous NCAA champion. He led the crew in turnovers throughout his time in Las Vegas and shot simply 24% from three. Hawkins injured his ankle and missed the rest of Summer time League.
Regardless of his struggles over the summer time, Hawkins possesses supreme three-point capturing abilities, a ability that NBA author Grant Hughes reveals makes him the the largest X-factor for the Pelicans this upcoming season.
“Regardless of a troublesome routine of capturing threes on the transfer, Hawkins made 36.6 p.c of his 9.2 three-point makes an attempt per 36 minutes. That is vital quantity, the sort that may bend a protection to the purpose Unsurprisingly, Hawkins has been automated together with his toes set, making 41.2 p.c on wide-open seems. If the Pels can function Hawkins, and if he can keep his per-minute charges in a much bigger position. , the sky is the restrict for this assault.
Like final 12 months, Murphy III will miss the season opener after injuring his hamstring throughout coaching camp in Nashville. The 6-foot-10 ahead will likely be evaluated in three weeks to see his progress towards his season debut. That alternative permits Hawkins to showcase his abilities and compete for extra constant minutes all through the season. New Orleans opens its common season at residence in opposition to the Chicago Bulls on October 23.
