The New Orleans Pelicans had been an absolute nightmare final season. The aim this summer time was to bounce again and retool.
The Pelicans had the seventh decide 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 ground basic. 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 Maryland massive man Derik Queen. Queen has a easy offensive sport and has the potential to be an offensive hub on the subsequent degree. He’s a high-IQ massive man, who operates within the mid-range and publish areas. He must work on his protection, however he’s a high-upside decide.
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 decide subsequent 12 months to the Hawks after they traded up for Queen.
The New Orleans Pelicans made an enormous mistake giving up their decide
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 belongings extraordinarily poorly.
The West is projected to be a massacre subsequent season. Outdoors of the Utah Jazz, each workforce will doubtless be within the playoff/play-in combine. New Orleans can be within the combine, however they’re nearer to the play-in than they’re to the playoffs. There isn’t any assure that they’re a playoff workforce this season, particularly given the 50/50 probability that Zion Williamson is wholesome for a full 12 months.
As for the Hawks, the East is large 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 an incredible 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 instantly a darkish horse within the East.
The Pelicans could discover themselves in one other nightmare state of affairs
It’s totally doable (and certain) that the Pelicans gave up a lottery decide subsequent 12 months. They might be full-on rebuilding subsequent 12 months and never have a premium decide 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 vital time final season. Mix the damage danger and the truth that they don’t have their first-round decide, and the Pelicans may discover themselves within the cellar as soon as once more if issues go poorly this 12 months.
