New Orleans Pelicans Summer League Roster; Starting 5
The roster for NBA Summer League in Las Vegas is set. The New Orleans Pelicans rotations are still being worked out, as a few players will be late arrivals.
The New Orleans Pelicans NBA Summer League roster is set. Since the Anthony Davis trade will not be official until July 6, Jaxson Hayes and Nickeil Alexander-Walker cannot join the team until the second game at the earliest.
Zion Williamson will be the main attraction in Las Vegas, sure. However, the New Orleans Pelicans will be led by Frank Jackson, Christian Wood and Kenrich Williams. They have the most NBA experience of anyone on the roster. Building chemistry on the court with Williamson is a top summer priority.
NBA Summer League action serves two purposes, and three types of players. There is the newest highly touted rookie needing some game time in an NBA setting. There are marginal NBA players who featured in garbage time duty who are aiming to develop into regular rotation minutes. .
Then teams try to find overlooked role players who deserve a chance. The Pelicans roster is balanced with a good mix of all three player types. Getting all three to work together towards the goal of making the regular season team better is difficult.
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It is obvious watching Summer League action that some players are selfish in their dominance, while others are just out of their depth against the NBA lottery picks. The games can be hectic, and even guards can occasionally dribble the ball out of bounds without being pressed.
The New Orleans Pelicans cannot waste Zion Williamson’s developmental possessions. Look for Frank Jackson to man the point in the starting lineups. Christian Wood and Kenrich Williams will both start a couple of games. The Pelicans should run Zion with the regulars for long stretches.
Against the New York Knicks, the Pelicans should look to let Zion Williamson shine in his first NBA spotlight. ESPN has been hyping the game. Tickets are sold out. The New Orleans Pelicans can start with five regular season roster regulars right away.
Jackson and Trevon Bluiett as a starting back court should be able to protect the ball and space the floor appropriately. Zion Williamson can roam where ever he pleases to learn the NBA ropes. Williams and Wood would serve as front court side kicks. Keep Zion in a stable environment, especially in the first game.
As mentioned, Alexander-Walker and Hayes will not be available for the first game against the New York Knicks on July 5. As long as the Anthony Davis trade is completed July 6, both could suit up against the Washington Wizards later that evening.
Each should start against the Chicago Bulls (July 8) and Cleveland Cavaliers (July 10). The Pelicans have to consider Alexander-Walker and Hayes missing the first game as a cost of doing business. There is no need to risk overworking them for a couple extra game minutes when they are available.
Likewise, fans should not be upset if Zion Williamson does not start all four games. The Pelicans will need to evaluate other players, and load management is a thing even in Las Vegas. Especially in Las Vegas actually, since Williamson will join Team USA camp in August.
Jackson, Wood, and Williams are known quantities looking for developmental time. All three could have probably asked out of the Las Vegas venture but would rather the time with the team. The more a team feels invested in a player, the better for both sides.
Those three should not lead the team in minutes played necessarily either. As with Zion, those three are most valuable to the Pelicans as healthy, refreshed players ready for the regular season. The Pelicans will give ample time to Zylan Cheatham, Aubrey Dawkins, Javon Bess, and Jalen Adams.
Cheatham, Dawkins, Bess and Adams represent the Pelicans secondary summer lottery. Those four need ample time on the court, hopefully mixed in with the Pelicans senior players. New Orleans just needs one of them to pan out into a serviceable end of the bench option.
Adams and Dawkins should each get a start next to Jackson or Bluiett. Bess and Cheatham will get stretches of time on the wing opposite Williamson. Alexander-Walker and Hayes will anchor lineups featuring a mix of the Adams, Bess, Cheatham, and Dawkins.
light. Related Story. New Orleans Pelicans: Zion Williamson Summer League Match-ups
The clearly defined roles and responsibilities for the players and coaching staff are in place. The rough outlines of what the team hopes to achieve are all but obvious. The answers to the most pressing questions will become clearer in the next two weeks.