Pelicans Rumors: What does the addition of Zion Williamson mean for this player?

Alright, so technically Zion Williamson is not apart of the New Orleans Pelicans, yet. However, barring a return to Duke, it’s all but set in stone at this point. Let’s look at the dynamic with Zion on the team, specifically with one player in mind.

There’s every reason in the world to be overjoyed as a New Orleans Pelicans fan right now. The future appears overwhelmingly bright, a transcendent basketball figure is coming to bring the organization out of the darkness of the NBA cellar. But before we get ahead of ourselves, the Pelicans still have work to do.

With Zion Williamson at the helm of the rebuild moving forward, the team has to construct a roster around him that best compliments his abilities. Dell Demps, the team’s previous general manager, failed in that aspect with Anthony Davis. The Pelicans can ill afford a similar situation with Williamson.

So, let’s look at one player, in particular, Julius Randle. In his first season as a Pelican, Randle averaged: 21.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists on 52% from the field. No one is saying those stats aren’t impressive, cause they definitely are.

But watch Randle play, and you can see how his game might not coexist with the likes of Williamson’s. Firstly, he’s ball dominant. Once the ball finds its way to Randle, it has an unfortunate habit of dying there. He implements a style of bully ball, overpowering the opposition in the paint. But, simultaneously, he often forces the issue and it results in a bad shot or a turnover.

Randle had a usage rate of 27.8, second on the team to Anthony Davis who had a 29.5 usage rate. Zion Williamson in his lone year at Duke had a usage rate of 28.8. Their play styles are eerily similar, the aforementioned “bully ball” that Randle plays, Zion plays too. Both players need the ball in their hands and neither player shoots the ball particularly well.

Zion’s natural fit is at the power forward position, Julius Randle plays the four. Zion could be used as a small-ball center in today’s NBA, Gentry often tried that when Davis missed time with Randle. Put them on the court at the same time, it would just look awkward.

Likewise, Zion needs to be on the court with shooters. That was Duke’s downfall. If you give him the ball with shooters present on the court, he excels. You put players around him that clog the paint or shoot poorly from deep, you have a problem. David Griffin fully understands this concept. He incorporated shooters around LeBron James, and the Cavaliers ability to spread the floor gave them an intimidating offensive dynamic, resulting in a championship.

Zion is an elite defender, Randle has a knack of being lackadaisical on the defensive end. Warranted, no one’s advanced defensive metrics look incredible with an extended role on a 33 win team. But, Randle’s defensive numbers have never been impressive at any point in his career. He’s 24, it seems unlikely at this point that he’s ever going to find a defensive identity.

Randle has a player option entering the 2019/20 season. And with a free agent corp as prominent as ever this summer, it could be wise to wait it out one more season and chase a lucrative contract the following year. Or, Randle’s representation could view Williamson a deterrent to his success, and inform him to opt out now while his value is at an all-time high.

If that were the case, should the Pelicans re-sign him to a long term deal with significant cap implications when they have an improved version of him on a rookie contract? No. Maybe we are being a little too pessimistic on Randle. Gentry and the coaching staff could find a way to make this frontcourt work.

That’s an enticing option. Perhaps Randle and Zion develop strong chemistry and wreak havoc on the entire NBA. Or, the two’s playstyles could prove too similar and the duo falls flat on its face. Randle had a great first campaign with the Pelicans but with Zion Williamson likely on the team, problems could arise.

What do you guys think? Do you spite us for even considering eventually parting ways with Randle? There’s definitely room for improvement, and he’s only twenty-four. But the Pelicans need to assure Zion that this is his team moving forward. A lot of substance here, give us your take in the comments below!