New Orleans Pelicans Most Anticipated 2019-20 Lineups
The New Orleans Pelicans might have their frontcourt situation settled for most of the next decade.
Alvin Gentry and David Griffin will slowly incorporate the three rookies into the New Orleans Pelicans rotations. How they do so will reveal the current levels of trust the team has in each player.
Derrick Favors is only under contract for one season. David Griffin seems hopeful he will blossom into an All-Star caliber center. Should he do so, Griffin would try to sign him for a few more years at close to maximum cost. Still, even maintaining his career averages would get him paid a substantial salary.
Finishing Four Plus Hayes: Jrue Holiday, JJ Redick, Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson, Jaxson Hayes
Jaxson Hayes flailed about a bit too much in Las Vegas. He needs minutes to get comfortable with the NBA’s pace of play. Alvin Gentry could hide his biggest weaknesses by giving him run with the Pelicans starters as much as possible.
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Hayes showed he could hit a three-pointer during Summer League play. His midrange shot looks far more polished than Zion Williamson’s motion. Giving him time with Holiday, Williamson, and another shooter would let him chase rebounds and possibly show his range.
His ability to protect the rim would be challenged constantly. Hayes might be tasked with replaced Favors soon. Favors was only available because Rudy Gobert is such a force. Hayes needs to feel the level of expectation, and learn how to play up to a starter level. The only way to do so is to get court time with the starting and closing groups. Should Ingram not be retained, Alexander-Walker would replace him in this lineup.
The New Orleans Pelicans will have numerous lineup options for every occasion. For every night Miller is shooting cold, Melli or Moore can step into the same role. Okafor and Hayes offer enough differences in their games to both complement and replace Favors. Jackson, Hart, and Alexander-Walker offer plenty of support behind Ball and Holiday.
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The upcoming season is one of the most anticipated in New Orleans history, regardless of the sport. The amount of exciting lineups is a big reason and not all of them revolve around ZIon.