Pelica Debrief
Fansided

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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NEW ORLEANS, LA – NOV 14: New Orleans Pelicans guard Kenrich Williams (34) blocks the shot of LA Clippers guard Rodney McGruder (19) during a NBA game between the New Orleans Pelicans and the LA Clippers at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, LA on Nov 14, 2019. (Photo by Stephen Lew/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – NOV 14: New Orleans Pelicans guard Kenrich Williams (34) blocks the shot of LA Clippers guard Rodney McGruder (19) during a NBA game between the New Orleans Pelicans and the LA Clippers at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, LA on Nov 14, 2019. (Photo by Stephen Lew/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Kenrich Williams, F

Not a household name but quickly becoming a fan-favorite, Kenrich Williams continues to give the Pelicans a two-way enforcer who seems due for a nice payday in the offseason.

He’s not a huge stat-sheet-stuffer, but he’s a glue guy on a Pelicans’ team that has a hard enough time trying to find enough touches for all their talent. His 1.7 defensive box plus/minus

Starting in 11 of 20 games he’s appeared in this season, Williams averages 5.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, and shoots a solid 35% from three on 3 deep attempts per game.

Also telling is Williams’s praise from his teammates young and old. The 24-year-old forward sits next to the great J.J. Redick on team flights and the sweet-shooting veteran has nothing but great things to say about his seatmate.


If the New Orleans Pelicans continue to see Williams play great two-way basketball and be a high-character teammate, it seems like he’ll be a great fit for the Zion Williamson-led teams of the future.

While the team will have to sign him to a new contract in the offseason, one that’ll certainly be above the league minimum number he’s currently earning, this team will benefit from keeping Williams around.

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