The Olympics are in the rearview mirror and NBA teams are beginning to prepare for training camps. Our attention turns to a talented Pelicans squad hoping to string together a healthy campaign. In these previews, we will take a look at each team’s key acquisitions, fantasy stars, and predicted finish.
Key Acquisitions
The Pelicans made a sizeable swing shipping out the likes of Dyson Daniels and Larry Nance Jr. along with draft capital to Atlanta in exchange for former All-Star Dejounte Murray.
The 28-year-old is fresh off a year in which he made 78 starts for the Hawks averaging 22.5 ppg, 5.3 rpg, and 6.4 apg on 55.5 TS%.
It proved an up-and-down two seasons for Murray who never quite managed to properly mesh with backcourt partner Trae Young.
The Pelicans also re-tooled at the centre position with Jonas Valančiūnas departing and Yves Missi and Daniel Theis coming in.
Missi – who New Orleans took at No.21 in the summer’s draft – averaged 10.7 ppg and 5.6 rpg in his one year at Baylor whilst being named to the Big 12 All-Defensive Team.
Theis is entering his eighth season in the association having proven to be a dependable back-up despite his lack of size.
Fantasy Stars
Zion Williamson appeared in 70 games last year for the Pelicans putting up 22.9 ppg, 5.8 rpg, and 5.0 apg on 61.0 TS%.
Brandon Ingram meanwhile averaged 20.8 ppg, 5.1 rpg, and 5.7 apg on 57.8 TS% in 64 starts.
Projected Finish
The Pelicans remain a difficult team to peg with much of their success hinging on the health of Williamson and Ingram.
There’s a ton of talent in the Big Easy with those two along with Murray and C.J. McCollum all coming off years in which they averaged 20+ ppg.
Add in Trey Murphy III – who is coming off a year in which he averaged 14.8 ppg and shot 38.0% on 7.8 nightly threes – and Herb Jones – who was named to the NBA’s All-Defensive 1st Team – and head coach Willie Green has a very handy top six to lean upon.
Anything short of a playoff appearance will be disappointing for the Pels who will need to find a level of consistency to improve upon previous seasons.
