The New Orleans Pelicans just finished one of their worst seasons in franchise history, and things may not be looking much better for next year. In a recent article for ESPN, Kevin Pelton delved into the most unfortunate offseason moves made by teams, and the Pelicans were not spared from his criticism. With a flurry of questionable decisions, it seems that the Pelicans may have set themselves up for even more pain in the upcoming season.
Pelton’s analysis of the Pelicans’ offseason moves was nothing short of scathing. He gave the team a D+ grade, citing their inability to improve their roster and their questionable decision-making. He also pointed out that the Pelicans’ biggest move of the offseason was trading away their star player, Anthony Davis, for a package of players that may not be able to fill the void left by his departure.
One of the biggest issues for the Pelicans is their lack of depth at the center position. With Davis gone, the team is left with only Jahlil Okafor and rookie Jaxson Hayes as their options at center. This could prove to be a major problem, as both players have limited experience and may struggle to fill the role of a starting center in the NBA.
Another concern for the Pelicans is the lack of shooting on their roster. With Davis gone, the team is left with only one reliable three-point shooter in Jrue Holiday. This could make it difficult for the Pelicans to space the floor and create open shots for their players. Pelton also noted that the team failed to address this issue in the draft or in free agency, leaving them with a major weakness in their lineup.
The Pelicans also made some questionable decisions in free agency, signing players who may not fit well with their team. One such player is JJ Redick, who is known for his shooting but may struggle to keep up with the fast-paced style of play that the Pelicans are known for. Pelton also pointed out that the team overpaid for Redick, who will be 35 years old next season and may not have much left in the tank.
In addition to these issues, Pelton also highlighted the Pelicans’ lack of a solid backup point guard. With Elfrid Payton leaving in free agency, the team is left with only veteran journeyman Frank Jackson as their backup. This could prove to be a major problem if starting point guard Jrue Holiday were to suffer an injury.
Despite these criticisms, there is still hope for the Pelicans. They have a young core of talented players, including Holiday, Brandon Ingram, and Zion Williamson, who could develop into stars in the future. They also have a new head coach in Alvin Gentry, who has a track record of developing young players and implementing an up-tempo style of play.
It’s also worth noting that the Pelicans were dealt a tough hand with the Anthony Davis situation. They were forced to trade away their star player, and it’s not easy to replace someone of his caliber. However, it’s clear that the Pelicans could have made better decisions in the aftermath of the trade.
In conclusion, it’s understandable that Pelton gave the Pelicans such a poor grade for their offseason moves. The team made some questionable decisions and failed to address key areas of need on their roster. However, there is still hope for the Pelicans to turn things around and have a successful season. With a talented young core and a new coach, the Pelicans may surprise many and prove Pelton wrong in his assessment. Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure – the Pelicans will have a lot to prove in the upcoming season.
