Pelica Debrief
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3 players who’ve stepped up as Pelicans wait for Zion Williamson

By Willie Lutz

ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 7: Zion Williamson #1, and Jaxson Hayes #10 of the New Orleans Pelicans talk before a pre-season game against the Atlanta Hawks on October 7, 2019 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. 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)
ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 7: Zion Williamson #1, and Jaxson Hayes #10 of the New Orleans Pelicans talk before a pre-season game against the Atlanta Hawks on October 7, 2019 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. 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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LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 24: New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (14) during the New Orleans vs LA Clippers NBA basketball game on November 24, 2019, at Staples Center Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 24: New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (14) during the New Orleans vs LA Clippers NBA basketball game on November 24, 2019, at Staples Center Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Brandon Ingram, F

With no doubt in anyone’s mind, the best player on the New Orleans Pelicans this season has been Brandon Ingram, who continues to break out with the new team.

Never really finding his comfort zone during his three seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, the return to the Southern lifestyle has helped the lanky scoring forward come into his own.

Since coming to the Pelicans, Ingram looks about as valuable to the team’s future as Zion Williamson. Recently, it was hinted that the New Orleans Pelicans are happy to max-out the fourth-year forward in the offseason as long as he keeps playing at this level.

Ingram is averaging 25.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists while shooting 42.3% from three-point range, all of which are career-best rates for the 22-year-old out of Duke.

While Ingram is having an off-the-wall offensive season, he’s taken a step back from his Lakers’ days on the defensive end. However, he showed really good instincts on that end in Los Angeles and it seems like a matter of time or system before he finds his two-way edge in New Orleans.

When the New Orleans Pelicans can finally pair Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, it’s going to be a scary day for teams around the Western Conference. By the end of the season, we could very easily call the two the best under-25 duo in the league.

Until they’re on the court together, we can still enjoy the brilliant offensive performances we’ve watched all season from Ingram, who has a 60.4% true shooting percentage so far on the year.

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