New Orleans Pelicans: Resetting the depth chart post-free agency

The New Orleans Pelicans experiment with one of their young stars by trying something new at the shooting guard position

Shooting Guard: 1. Lonzo Ball, 2. J.J. Reddick, 3. Nickeil Alexander-Walker

I know it’s crazy to think about the Pelicans starting Lonzo Ball at shooting guard, but today’s NBA isn’t really about traditional positions anymore. It’s about getting the five best players on the floor.

That’s why I think Stan Van Gundy could experiment with starting Lonzo Ball at shooting guard, which would allow him to use his 6’6″ size to handle bigger guards on the defense while the smaller Bledsoe takes on the easier matchup.

Offensively, I think Lonzo Ball will probably still play much of the same playmaking role for the team even if he’s at the shooting guard position. I understand that a lot of fans are concerned that Van Gundy will attempt to play Lonzo off-ball, but I think that’ll only happen periodically.

Then we have the reliable J.J. Reddick. Reddick’s role on this team is the one he’s inhabited for much of his NBA career, being his team’s lead sharpshooter. That means every time he gets off the bench he’ll be used as the player that runs off screens and sets up in the corner for easy 3 point looks. Nothing new, just consistent.

I will say, keep an eye on Nickeil Alexander-Walker. He spent most of last season in the G-League but has all the traits to become a cunning combo-guard in the NBA if he puts them together. Right now, he’ll be the team’s third-string shooting guard, but I wouldn’t be shocked if somehow he gains more minutes on this team.