THE The New Orleans PelicansDespite some obstacles they have to overcome as the 2024-25 season approaches, they have a very bright future.
This is a team that has only one surefire rotation player, CJ McCollum, who is over 27. He is 32, the same age as Daniel Theis and a year older than Javonte Green.
Theis could very well become the Pelicans’ starting center to start the season. But in an ideal world, New Orleans would acquire a higher-upside option in a trade centered around Brandon Ingram.
Or, 2024 first-round pick Yves Missi emerges during training camp and proves he’s ready for a significant role as a rookie.
Willie Green will have to make some tough decisions regarding his starting lineup. McCollum seems like a good fit for a spot on the second unit. As do Trey Murphy or Herbert Jones if Ingram isn’t traded and the head coach opts for a traditional big man at the 5.
One player who will be instrumental in that decision is Zion Williamson. The star power forward could move to center in some formations, giving New Orleans its own version of a small-sided lineup.
Of course, health is always the number one concern of the Duke There is hope he has turned a corner in that regard, as he played a career-high 70 regular-season games in the 2023-24 campaign.
Sadly, it ended on a sour note as he did not play in the playoffs due to an injury suffered in the NBA Play-In Tournament game against the The Los Angeles Lakers.
His health is one of the keys to the Pelicans’ success this season. It will also be the only thing stopping him from becoming the team’s best player in the future.
Report on a stepAndy Bailey shared his predictions for the best player on each NBA team in three years. For New Orleans, Williamson was selected.
“If he can maintain his dominance around the basket while continuing to improve as a playmaker, Zion is another potential MVP candidate in 2027,” Bailey wrote.
Williamson’s physical transformation this offseason has been spectacular. Williamson appears to be in the best shape of his life and it will be interesting to see how that translates on the field.
His combination of size and athleticism gave him an advantage inside. But the Pelicans would be happy to trade a slight dropoff in each area if it means he can now navigate regular-season marathons by playing 70-plus games each campaign.
