The New Orleans Pelicans have been an absolute nightmare final season. The purpose this summer time was to bounce again and retool.
The Pelicans had the seventh choose within the draft, and so they used it on Oklahoma guard Jeremiah Fears. Fears is likely one of the extra electrical gamers on this 12 months’s draft, and he fills New Orleans’ want for a long-term flooring normal. He’s obtained a artful deal with, is a inventive finisher across the rim, and has nice courtroom imaginative and prescient.
The Pelicans then traded again into the lottery to pick out Maryland huge man Derik Queen. Queen has a clean offensive recreation and has the potential to be an offensive hub on the subsequent degree. He’s a high-IQ huge man, who operates within the mid-range and publish areas. He must work on his protection, however he’s a high-upside choose.
The underside line is that New Orleans picked nice gamers. The issue is what they traded to get these gamers. The Pelicans gave up their 2026 first-round choose subsequent 12 months to the Hawks once they traded up for Queen.
The New Orleans Pelicans made an enormous mistake giving up their choose
New Orleans was already reeling from the Dejounte Murray commerce, the place they gave up Dyson Daniels and two first-round picks to Atlanta. Daniels loved the most effective season of his profession, and was the runner-up for Defensive Participant of the 12 months. Mix that misstep with giving up an unprotected first for Queen, and the Pelicans have managed their property extraordinarily poorly.
The West is projected to be a massacre subsequent season. Outdoors of the Utah Jazz, each staff will possible be within the playoff/play-in combine. New Orleans will likely be within the combine, however they’re nearer to the play-in than they’re to the playoffs. There isn’t a assure that they’re a playoff staff this season, particularly given the 50/50 likelihood that Zion Williamson is wholesome for a full 12 months.
As for the Hawks, the East is extensive open. The Celtics and Pacers don’t have their star gamers. The Cavs and Knicks are on the high, however they each have their flaws. The Magic and Pistons are on the come-up however must show themselves as contenders.
Atlanta is coming off a tremendous offseason that noticed them add Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Kristaps Porzingis. Mix that with the return of Jalen Johnson, who was enjoying at an All-Star degree, and the Hawks are immediately a darkish horse within the East.
The Pelicans could discover themselves in one other nightmare state of affairs
It’s solely potential (and sure) that the Pelicans gave up a lottery choose subsequent 12 months. They may very well be full-on rebuilding subsequent 12 months and never have a premium choose to jumpstart it. New Orleans does have nice younger gamers like Fears and Queen, and Jones, Murphy, and Williamson are one of many extra underrated trios within the league.
The query is can they keep wholesome? Williamson is a wildcard, Queen is already out with a wrist damage, and each Murphy and Jones missed important time final season. Mix the damage danger and the truth that they don’t have their first-round choose, and the Pelicans may discover themselves within the cellar as soon as once more if issues go poorly this 12 months.
