New Orleans Pelicans: 3 Players Who Will Make a Big Leap Next Season

The New Orleans Pelicans will need internal improvements if they want to get to the next level. Here are three guys that are going to help get them there.

The New Orleans Pelicans will try to tweak the team in the draft and free agency, but internal improvements are their quickest way to take the next step as a team.

The New Orleans Pelicans have a slew of exciting young players, but many of them were buried on the bench behind veterans this season and didn’t get a chance to show what they can do.

Brandon Ingram is likely to receive a max contract extension this offseason, with Lonzo Ball and Zion Williamson trailing not too far behind, which means the New Orleans Pelicans will need cheap production to offset this cost.

One way to get that is by drafting wisely, choosing players who fill holes and who are ready to contribute at soon as they enter the NBA.

Another way is through free agency, though the New Orleans Pelicans will have to spend thriftily if they expect to get value without hampering their future.

However, the best way to get better without bloating the payroll is to get improvement from players who are already on the team.

While most fans focus on making big splashes in the draft, free agency and via trade, internal improvements are the way to titles.

Ask Toronto, whose titles came after big improvements from players like Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet. Yes, they made the big trade for Kawhi Leonard, but they were able to do so because they were getting cheap production out of guys already on the team.

If the New Orleans Pelicans want to make the leap into contention, they need improvements from the guys who aren’t making much money.

Here are three players we think are going to make that leap as soon as next season.