While there are now not many people left on the free agent market and the workforce, barring any upheaval via the expected exchanges of Damian Lillard and James Harden, is almost complete, it is time to take stock of the first summer for all 30 NBA franchises. After Detroit, Houston, San Antonio, Charlotte, PortlandThen Orlando, Washingtonand finally Indiana , UtahDallas, Chicago, and Oklahoma City, is now up to the New Orleans Pelicans. Bad luck and the infirmary too often full, will they let the Pelicans shake up the hierarchy of the Western Conference?
Defeated by Oklahoma City, another young and talented team during the play-in, the Pelicans are having a quiet offseason. If the franchise has signed Cody Zeller to be Jonas Valanciunas’ understudy, it’s the only notable move so far, and we can’t really talk about a reinforcement since the former Heat interior is simply responsible for replacing Jaxson. Hayes, gone to the Lakers.
On the other hand, the franchise had the good idea to extend Herb Jones for the next four seasons up to 54 million, ensuring at the same time the presence of one of the best outside defenders in the league. In the end, we take almost the same and start again, and the future season of New Orleans is in one question: what can the Pelicans give if their best players spend more time on the ground than in the infirmary?
SEASON 2022/23
42 wins – 40 losses (15th)
20th attack: 113.8 points scored on 100 possessions
6th defense: 112.0 points conceded on 100 possessions
ARRIVALS/DEPARTURES
Arrivals : Cody Zeller, Jordan Hawkins (14th choice)
Departures : Jaxson Hayes, Josh Richardson, Garrett Temple, Willy Hernangomez
WORKFORCE 2023/24
Leaders : CJ McCollum, Jose Alvarado, Kira Lewis Jr.
Full-backs/wingers : Jordan Hawkins, Dereon Seabron, Dyson Daniels, Larry Nance Jr., Herb Jones, Naji Marshall, Brandon Ingram
Interiors : Cody Zeller, Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy III, EJ Liddell, Jonas Valanciunas
THE LIKELY MAJOR FIVE
CJ McCollum, Herb Jones, Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson, Jonas Valanciunas
THE OBJECTIVE
Avoid the infirmary. This is the watchword, and the hope that clings to all fans, managers, and inevitably the players themselves. The workforce of the Pelicans is cut to try a great adventure in the playoffs and feed the highlights all season. Provided that injuries do not darken the skies of Louisiana, because the two All-Stars, Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson, accumulated only 74 games last season! For Williamson, whose name has been circulating for a transfer, the goal is simple: to stay in good shape and get as far away from the infirmary as possible. Then, he will have to become a leader by example to push this formation into the playoffs. Before the injuries ensued, the Pelicans were leaders in the Western Conference…
QUESTIONS
Zion Williamson’s fitness. Although he remains an athletic and statistical phenomenon, his frailty has become almost as famous as his counterattacking prowess. Unable to play more than 29 games last season, Zion Williamson only played 24 games in his first season and 61 in 2020/2021.
While the craziest rumors surfaced just before the Draft, the leaders wanted to prove that they cared about their star player, and that the prospect of seeing CJ McCollum, Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson, chain meetings, is well the only strategy. And hope.
An impoverished interior sector. Willy Hernangomez (free agent) and Jaxson Hayes left, Jonas Valanciunas saw Cody Zeller arrive as reinforcements. If the pivot gave a little help to Miami last season, the Pelicans need more depth, and that still suggests movement before the start of training camp. On the side of the management, we assure to be satisfied with this group. ” I don’t expect there to be a lot of changes in our roster between now and training camp. “, had declared Trajan Langdon, the GM of the club, after the Draft. ” We are happy with our workforce. »
