New Orleans Pelicans rookies are showing mixed bag through 7 games

Nicolò Melli is still finding a groove in NBA with the New Orleans Pelicans

It’s been an interesting start to the tenure of Nicolò Melli, as the Italian finds himself in a variety of roles as a member of the New Orleans Pelicans.

Melli has been asked to be the team’s starting power forward, sixth man, spacer off the bench, and most recently, was the lone active Pelican not to check-in against the Brooklyn Nets. Ideally, the team will be able to carve out a more defined role with this team.

While some fans of the team might not realize the thick-beared, 28-year-old is playing in his first season as a member of the NBA, making him a qualified rookie.

Shooting 55.6% from the floor and 35.7% from three, it’s been a solid shooting effort for Melli. He’s averaging 6.8 points and 2.8 rebounds per game for the Pelicans, making him a pretty frequent call off of Alvin Gentry’s bench.

Signed to a two-year, $8 million deal with the team in the offseason, Melli isn’t a perfect player, but his ability to hit big threes have made him an exciting prospect in New Orleans.

When the team can pair him next to the inside scoring threat in Zion Williamson, he should be able to open up his ability perimeter threat.

For now, the team would love to see Melli improve on the glass, while also continuing to find comfort running in an NBA offense. Until then, the rookie will just have to keep finding ways to get his sea legs in his first year at the highest level of professional basketball.