NBA: Re-seeding the Western Conference heading into 2019-20
By Jacob Doole
10. New Orleans Pelicans
Last season: 33-49, 13th in Western Conference
Notable additions: Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, JJ Redick, Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, Jaxson Hayes, Nicolo Melli, Nickeil Alexander-Walker
Notable subtractions: Anthony Davis, Julius Randle, Elfrid Payton
After an offseason full of twists and turns, the New Orleans Pelicans have emerged as one of the NBA franchises best positioned for future success. Anthony Davis’ trade demand netted them an armful of young talent and three future first-round picks, and after winning this year’s draft lottery they added a potentially generational talent in Zion Williamson.
It’s easy to look at this team and only see their bright future, but they have the personnel to compete for a playoff spot right now. The front office has signaled their intent to do exactly that by refusing to trade veteran guard Jrue Holiday and by adding 35-year-old free agent JJ Redick.
This team will make its money on the defensive end, where their starting five could be among the best lineups in the league. They will be spearheaded by Holiday, a two-time All-Defensive selection who will guard the opposition’s best perimeter player. That will leave Lonzo Ball, who developed into a near-elite perimeter defender last season, to harass the second-best guard and give Holiday rest when needed.
Fellow ex-Laker Brandon Ingram has only shown flashes of potential to date, but his versatility in a more stable defensive group should allow him to flourish. After facing the Lakers last season, Kyrie Irving raved about Ingram’s efforts guarding him as his 7-foot-3 wingspan stifled the passing lanes that would usually be open. Derrick Favors has been stuck behind Rudy Gobert in Utah for years, but opponents shot just 49.1 percent from within six feet when guarded by him, the second-best mark in the league last season (min. 30 games).
Finally, that brings us to Zion. His thunderous dunks will land him on SportsCenter, but his defensive play may be his calling card as a rookie. After averaging 2.1 steals and 1.8 blocks per game in Duke’s flakey zone defense, he projects as a five-position defender who can switch screens and cover for any mistakes by his teammates.
His offensive versatility fits with the Pelicans too, as they should move the ball well under Alvin Gentry’s uptempo system. Outside of Favors, every Pelicans starter is an above-average playmaker for their position and they should be able to get out and run on the break. A lack of perimeter shooting may hamper their ability in the half-court, but adding Redick and EuroLeague stud Nicolo Melli off the bench should help.
The Pelicans have the chance to be an elite defensive team and one of the most fun lineups to watch next season. They aren’t without weaknesses, though, and a lack of depth may stop them short of a playoff appearance.