Takeaways as New Orleans Pelicans core praised by NBA GMs in new survey

After spending an offseason reloading their roster, league executives are taking a liking to what’s going on with the New Orleans Pelicans.

Hiring David Griffin to be the team’s Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations in April, it seems the New Orleans Pelicans are striking favor among other league decision-makers. Earlier this week, the NBA released the results of its annual GM Survey, which yielded a lot of love for the Big Easy Birds.

Given these results, Griffin is giving the Pelicans’ hiring staff a lot of reasons to feel pretty great about his joining of the organization.

The early returns, at least, show an executive moving a team back into contention. They Won’t Bow Down this season, their young nucleus is giving other teams a reason to in the future.

Among league executives, the New Orleans Pelicans have been named the team with the most promising young core by 28% voters. The highest tally in the category, the team is probably boosted most-heavily by their first overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, Zion Williamson.

Seemingly, front office League Pass users will be saying “let’s dance” before tuning into Pelicans games for the duration of the season. They’re feeling the Zion hype and just about everyone should, considering the rookie’s performance in the preseason.

Named the second-most fun team to watch behind the Denver Nuggets, who received 31% of votes to the Pelicans’ 21%, executives are excited to catch New Orleans games this season.

Even assistant coach Chris Finch received praise, joining David Vanterpool of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Dan Burke of the Indiana Pacers, who all tied with 11% of the vote for the best assistant coach in the NBA.

However, Griffin’s moves as a general manager weren’t the only praises sung of the New Orleans Pelicans. A few of the players stood out to front office personnel in this year’s rendition of the survey, especially a few key rookies.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker, the steal of the 2019 NBA Draft

Starting to really make a name for himself before his first real game of professional basketball, Nickeil Alexander-Walker received a lot of love from front office personnel around the league as a part of the NBA GM Survey.

Slipping to the 17th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, 32% of respondents called Alexander-Walker the steal of the 2019 NBA Draft.

Brandon Clark of the Memphis Grizzlies was second, finishing with 21% of the vote, with Gogo Bitzale of the Indiana Pacers receiving 11% of votes and finishing third. Bol Bol of the Denver Nuggets and Tyler Herro of the Miami Heat each received 7% of votes and tied for fourth.

Maybe it was because of his elite karaoke performance of “A Thousand Miles” by Vanessa Carlton.

He’s been the standout of the preseason after making one of the biggest splashes in the league when he started tearing it up in Las Vegas during Summer League action.

Alexander-Walker finished third in summer play scoring and fifth in assists, averaging 24.3 points and 6 assists during his four games, turning heads on the offensive end on the floor. Perhaps that’s where his reign began among NBA front offices.

Continuing his role through four preseason games, Alexander-Walker has continued the positive play, acting as the focal point of the New Orleans Pelicans’ second unit. If he’s as solid as executives seem to think, it could be quite the draft steal for the Pelicans.

Zion Williamson is the New Orleans Pelicans superstar in waiting

While it’s no secret that most of the front offices around the NBA would love to get a chance to build around a talent like Zion Williamson, it was exciting to see that GMs were in lockstep with regards to the ceiling for the young player.

Many around the league, really even outside of the league, think that Williamson is basically a lock to win Rookie of the Year honors if he stays healthy. Among survey respondents, 68% think he’ll take home that trophy after the season.

They don’t think it’s just a short-term run for Williamson, either, as 68% of executives think Zion will be the best player from the 2019 NBA Draft class in five years. Ja Morant, the second pick in the draft, came in second place in that tally, receiving 18% of the vote.

Basically set for stardom from his first day at Duke University, front office personnel around the league are feeling the hype surrounding the gravity-defying rookie.

Already stunning with his physical ability, 41% of executives said Zion is the most athletic player in the league, way ahead of second-place vote-getter Giannis Antetokounmpo, who took home 28% of the vote in the category after winning the MVP last season.

Continuing to work his way into just about every conversation about the league this season, Williamson is setting something special up for his rookie campaign. Executives seem to think the same, which is a pretty great sign for the young player.

GMs think Brandon Ingram could be set to break out for the New Orleans Pelicans this season

Entering his first season in a new city as an NBA player and his fourth season as a pro, some executives are looking at Brandon Ingram as one of this year’s break out candidates.

Ranked fourth among vote-getters for the player set to break out, Ingram tied with Jamal Murray of the Denver Nuggets for 7% of the vote. De’Aaron Fox ranked first with 19% of votes. Jayson Tatum and Jaren Jackson Jr tied for second, each receiving 11% of nods from executives.

Williamson and Lonzo Ball also received votes in this category but did not place high enough to receive a ranking.

While Ingram came in fourth in the vote, it’s indicative of the skillset possessed by the still-young prospect.

Only 22-years-old this season, Ingram averaged 18.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3 assists for the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2018-2019 season. He’s steadily improved in each of his three seasons in the league and year four is going to be huge for the lanky scorer.

Ingram is due up for a new contract either before Monday at 5 p.m. or at the end of the season, a breakout season for Ingram could mean a lot more cash on the back end. If he wants to take home a big bag for his on-court performance, breaking out would be a huge boost for both the player and the New Orleans Pelicans organization moving forward.

Thinking more for the short term, a breakout year from Ingram could be a huge factor in his team’s ability to reach the playoffs this season, which would be the first playoff appearance of his career.