New Orleans Pelicans: Probable Lineups and Rotation vs. Utah Jazz

New Orleans Pelicans’ Rotations: Small Forwards

Small Forward Rotation

Starter: Brandon Ingram

Backup: Josh Hart

Reserve: Kenrich Williams

Small forward is the Pelicans’ thinnest position, as Josh Hart is really more of a shooting guard and Kenrich Williams is unlikely to play much.

Hart will play most of his minutes with either Redick or Moore, so will be tasked with guarding a forward on most nights, as he was against Giannis Antetokounmpo against the Bucks.

Hart held his own against Giannis, which is no small task. Hart’s defense and rebounding are one of the keys to the Pelicans’ second unit, as they allow them to go small without getting killed on the boards.

Ingram is obviously going to play heavy minutes, but Gentry does not want to task him with defending the other team’s best small forward, as it will take too much out of him at the offensive end when they need him most.

With Utah missing Bogdanovic, the Pelicans have a slight advantage here and should be able to punish the Jazz with Ingram against Joe Ingles or Georges Niang.

Kenny Hustle played well in the limited run he was given in the scrimmages, probably beating out Sindarius Thornwell for the few minutes that might be available.

Williams doesn’t offer anything offensively, but he brings energy and hustle off the bench that the Pelicans desperately need at times.

Without Bogdanovic, the Jazz will not be very big, so Williams may not be called upon at all in the first game.

But we will get a heavy dose of All-Star Brandon Ingram and Josh Hart, who should be able to have big games against the undermanned Jazz.