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

The biggest move the Pelicans made this season was adding Steven Adams to the roster to man the interior

Center: 1. Steven Adams, 2. Jaxson Hayes, 3. Willy Hernangomez

The center position is seeing a seismic shake-up in 2021, that’s because gone from the roster is the undersized Derrick Favors and incomes, Steven Adams.

Adams is just what the Pelicans need from their center position, an imposing and physical player who’ll set screens and play tough interior defense. I anticipate that Adams will have a major role in shifting this team’s identity to being about less finesse and more intensity. He’ll get a majority of the minutes at this spot but his physical play does open up time for the players behind him.

Chief among the two, Jaxson Hayes. The Pelicans organization made a major investment by selecting Hayes with the 8th pick in the 2019 draft knowing that it’ll take a few years of growth for him to become a good NBA player. Sure, that’s frustrated some fans but I think this season playing behind Adams, we might see Hayes make some major strides in his game.

I think it’s safe to say, Hayes might come into this year with more discipline on the defensive end of the floor while playing with a lot more touch on the offensive end of the floor too.

Last but not least, the final player on the Pelicans roster is Willy Hernangomez. He was definitely a depth signing at a suddenly deep center position, but I wouldn’t be shocked if early in the season he competes with Hayes for minutes. He’s an agile big man and although he doesn’t provide much defense to the roster, his offense might be a good complement to the rest of the team’s frontcourt.

And there it is, the New Orleans Pelicans roster for the upcoming season. I would say this roster is very top-heavy and could use some more depth at some key positions, but if a few young players and depth pieces pop, this team could make their way into the Western Conference playoffs.