New Orleans has the pieces to be very interesting, but there are some big questions that hover over this team
“Uncertainty” is a good word to describe where the New Orleans Pelicans find themselves entering the 2024-25 NBA season. Gone from last year’s 49-33 team, which was a top four seed for the majority of the season, are 4 rotation players. Their prized addition in the Anthony Davis trade, Brandon Ingram, is looking for an extension that New Orleans might not be willing to give him. The Pels have a roster filled with switchable guards and wings, but almost no real size down low. It’s up to 4th year coach WIllie Green to get the most out of this unit.
New Orleans Pelicans (over/under 46.5 wins)
Additions: Dejounte Murray, Daniel Theis, Javonte Green
Drafted: Yves Missi (Baylor), Antonio Reeves (Kentucky), Karlo Matkovic (Bosnia – stashed)
Losses: Naji Marshall, Jonas Valanciunas, Larry Nance Jr., Dyson Daniels
Yves Missi was a revelation at Baylor last year, working his way from a relative unknown to a first-round pick. If there are no other additions to the roster, he’s the only player on the roster that’s taller than 6’8”. Because of that, New Orleans might need him to give them quality minutes right out of the gate. Antonio Reeves was a good shooter at Kentucky, but his role with the Pelicans is limited at best with some of the guards on the depth chart. He’ll see some time in the G League, which could be good for his development as a guard.
Outlook
One of the things that stood out about last year’s Pelicans was the lack of guard play at times. For everything CJ McCollum is, one thing he isn’t is a point guard. With the addition of Dejounte Murray via Atlanta, they believe they have one. Murray played a lot of two guard with the Hawks, playing beside Trae Young. But he has a history of playing point back in San Antonio, and he’ll get the chance to do the same in New Orleans. Sliding McCollum back to the 2 is a much more natural fit for him, which should optimize his efficiency.
The downside of the Murray trade was losing a versatile big in Larry Nance Jr. and switchy guard Dyson Daniels. New Orleans’ depth was a strength last year, and when you combine those trade losses with losing Naji Marshall (Dallas) and Jonas Valanciunas (Washington), the depth here is going to be strained. Four rotation players are out, and at best they replaced three of them. Daniel Theis is a good player in spurts, but if he’s asked to play big minutes at the five, I get concerned about his size.
When Zion went down with a hamstring at the end of the first play in game against the Lakers, he was playing some of the best basketball of his career. Obviously with Zion’s physical stature and the way he plays basketball, he can be injury prone from time to time. If he can be on the floor in the big moments, anything is possible. However, if they’re relying on him to be a small ball center more often, I think it’s going to put too much of a toll on his body. Zion will need to carry more weight if that ends up being the case, and we all know that is not helpful for any player’s durability. His minute distribution will be the number one thing I’ll be watching to start the year.
Prediction: Under 46.5 wins
There are more questions than answers in New Orleans right now. In reality, if Ingram isn’t extended, he needs to be traded for a starting quality center. The depth in the front court is awfully concerning considering the injury history of Zion Williamson. I do think that Willie Green has a nice rotation he can go to, though. Forwards Trey Murphy and Herb Jones are prototypical 3 & D wings, and Jose Alvarado is a reliable backup guard. Jordan Hawkins deserves more minutes in his second year, too. But the Ingram contract situation and depth at center push me towards the under. The West is deep, and New Orleans plays in a division where the worst team employs Victor Wembanyama. Someone will have to underachieve this year, and New Orleans is one of my picks to do so.
Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook & are subject to change.