Pelica Debrief
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New Orleans Pelicans Post Free Agency Power Rankings

By Christopher Dodson

METAIRIE, LA - JULY 16: Josh Hart #3 of the New Orleans Pelicans speaks at an introductory press conference on July 16, 2019 at Ochsner Sports Performance Center in Metairie, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images
METAIRIE, LA - JULY 16: Josh Hart #3 of the New Orleans Pelicans speaks at an introductory press conference on July 16, 2019 at Ochsner Sports Performance Center in Metairie, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images /
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New Orleans Pelicans
Jaxson Hayes New Orleans Pelicans (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

The back end of the New Orleans Pelicans roster has very little leverage to exert to better their situation.

While there is plenty of potential sitting this far down the bench, the pratfalls for pushing the issues are numerous, for both team and player.

12. Jahlil Okafor is likely getting his last opportunity to make good on his third pick in the NBA draft talent. Okafor has been promoting his new physique and offseason conditioning approach and it’s successes. The New Orleans Pelicans kept Okafor instead of Christian Wood or Cheick Diallo. Okafor has to repay that faith with meaningful contributions or have his career prospects questioned, along with his place on the team.

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13. Nickeil Alexander-Walker is the rookie more likely to be called into action. Alexander-Walker and Jaxson Hayes showed a great understanding of the two-man game in Las Vegas. Alexander-Walker may have to learn the rhythms of Williamson, Favors, and Okafor to get regular-season minutes.

14. Jaxson Hayes is in a battle with Jahlil Okafor for the rim-running, rim-protecting minutes of the all-reserves unit. Hayes and Kenrich Williams pushed Christian Wood off of the roster. Hayes now has to push to be active for regular-season games.

15. Kenrich Williams earned his Kenny Hustle moniker in limited minutes last season. He has played just over 1000 minutes in a New Orleans Pelicans uniform thus far. Williams showed such improvements to his game this summer, he could be in line for 1000 this season.

16. Marcos Louzada Silva has practically no power to leverage this season, but could demand a higher salary should he dominate during his first foreign playing adventure.

17. Zylan Cheatham endeared himself to the New Orleans Pelicans coaching staff during his Summer League extended trial. His energy and dedication to playing to the coaches’ demands deserved a contract that provided the team a longer look at his potential.

New Orleans Pelicans Most Anticipated Lineups Next Season. dark. Next

18. Josh Gray is well-traveled but much appreciative of his two-way contract opportunity. After stops in Lubbock, Odessa, and Baton Rouge, being paid to play in Erie is not so bad. Gray will have to earn his forty-five days in the NBA rotation and could be deemed a success even if he falls short of his personal goals. That’s a great player type to have in the developmental pipeline.

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