8 Players Who are Likely Finished as New Orleans Pelicans After Tonight
The New Orleans Pelicans will look a lot different after tonight.
One thing became clear about the New Orleans Pelicans during their time in the bubble: this roster needs changes.
The Pelicans were often overmatched physically, don’t have enough size on the interior or wing and could use some guys who aren’t allergic to defense.
We can blame the pandemic, the schedule, Zion Williamson‘s limitations or just put it all on Nicolo Melli, but the truth is this roster has a lot of flaws.
The Pelicans have too many guards and not enough forwards, too many tweeners without a real position and not enough big men who can protect the rim.
That is probably going to change, as the Pelicans have at least eight players who might not be back with the team, and it’s already rumored that they will be looking for a new coach.
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The Pelicans have a number of restricted and unrestricted free agents that they could let walk at the end of the season.
The Pelicans will almost surely bring Josh Hart and J.J. Redick off the bench, Melli is signed for another year (ugh), but beyond that, the bench is fairly open and will have a lot of new faces when the 2020-21 season begins.
Here are eight guys who are probably playing their last game as New Orleans Pelicans.
The Deep Bench
Sindarius Thornwell
Sindarius Thornwell was picked up just before the bubble and has played sparingly in scrimmages and mop-up duty.
He runs the floor hard, and is a good passer, but it’s hard to imagine he will get a legitimate tryout with this team. Thornwell seems like a G-League invite at best, and if he is with the team next year, it might be on a two-way deal.
Josh Gray
Josh Gray had a nice season in the G-League for the Pelicans. He has some interesting skills, but the Pels have too many guards already, so it’s unlikely Gray ever makes the team. He is also 26-years-old, so not exactly an up and coming prospect.
Zylan Cheatham
Zylan Cheatham is another guy who had a nice year for the Pels’ G-League affiliate. He has a more interesting skill set than Gray, as he is a strong wing who can defend, plays with energy and runs the floor well. Cheatham is far more likely to get another shot to make the team, as he is younger and potentially fills more of a need for the Pelicans. He’ll probably start the season on another two-way contract unless someone else snatches him away.