Pelica Debrief
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New Orleans Pelicans: Why the team will go over the Vegas win total

By Steven Balkos

METAIRIE, LA - JULY 16: Derrick Favors #22, Lonzo Ball #2, Josh Hart #3, and Brandon Ingram #14 of the New Orleans Pelicans pose for a photo at the 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: Derrick Favors #22, Lonzo Ball #2, Josh Hart #3, and Brandon Ingram #14 of the New Orleans Pelicans pose for a photo at the 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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(Hans Gutknecht/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images)
(Hans Gutknecht/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images) /

Brandon Ingram and Josh Hart – The Other Pieces

While Lonzo Ball was the flashiest name involved in the Anthony Davis trade with the Los Angeles Lakers, the Pelicans also netted two additional young assets that will be able to contribute and compete for playing time right away. Brandon Ingram will enter this season coming off a career high 18.3 points per game with the Lakers, shooting approximately 50 percent from the field which was also a career best. He is another example of low risk, high reward as the 22 year-old has one year remaining on his $7.26 million-dollar deal before New Orleans can offer him a qualifying offer as a restricted free agent in the summer of 2020. Ingram also averaged 5.1 rebounds and 3.0 assists to go along with his 18 points which is a great sign for the Pelicans who can use the scoring to replace departing forward Julius Randle who left for the New York Knicks in July. With two very capable guards in Holiday and Ball to find talented scorers like Ingram, opportunity should not be a problem for the young Forward and he should get his fair share of shots per game. Coupled with the fact that Zion will demand a lot of attention and J.J. Redick cannot be left alone outside the arc, Ingram could be looking at a career year with New Orleans and one that could potentially lead to the playoffs. Ingram has made a conscious effort to improve his three-point shooting this summer as the Duke product only shot 33 percent from three during the 18-19’ season. The Pelicans will take this season to analyze how Ingram fits into the fray and whether he can be a long-term piece to this team’s future, however the chemistry with former Lakers teammates won’t hurt at all.

A name lost in the trade of the Anthony Davis is Josh Hart, who New Orleans will be able to use as a Swiss Army knife coming off the bench. Hart was included along with Ball, Ingram and three future first round draft picks in the trade for AD. With two years remaining on his deal at an average salary of $1,661,280 according to Spotrac.com, the Pelicans will have flexibility with keeping Hart on the roster while also having a productive role player coming off the bench who can provide a boost both offensively and defensively. This is another example of how David Griffin leveraged the trade to acquire cheap, young, high upside talent in hopes of it panning out over the next couple of years. Hart is an excellent rebounding guard who adds to the theme of defending guards for the Pelicans. He provides stability to Gentry’s second unit and can provide a scoring boost as well, averaging 7.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.3 assists on 43.5 percent shooting from the field. Effective bench scoring and production from Hart could play a key part in the Pelicans beating their 39-win projection by Las Vegas Sportsbooks.

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