New Orleans Pelicans: Analyzing 3 different starting lineups
The New Orleans Pelicans could use a variety of different starting lineups.
The New Orleans Pelicans will have some new faces when the season tips off in less than a month.
Last season, the Pels had the best starting lineup in the NBA for any group that played more than 200 minutes together, impressive considering that Zion Williamson was a rookie who didn’t get much chance to gel with the team before returning from injury.
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Now, 40 percent of that starting lineup is gone after the Pels traded Jrue Holiday and let Derrick Favors walk in free agency.
Losing Jrue is going to be tough but the Pelicans should have a much deeper and better roster this season and will have future draft assets to use as well.
New Orleans Pelicans: Who will be in the starting lineup?
Next season’s starting lineup will be a little more difficult to predict, as the Pels are more flexible and could go in a number of directions.
It seems as though at least three of the spots are cemented with Zion at power forward, Brandon Ingram on the wing and Steven Adams manning the center position.
Lonzo Ball is also likely to start most games but will it be at the point? This is probably the Pels’ opening night starting lineup.
Starting Lineup #1
PG: Lonzo Ball
SG: Eric Bledsoe
SF: Brandon Ingram
PF: Zion Williamson
C: Steven Adams
The Pels are hoping Bledsoe can provide 80 percent of Holiday’s numbers while also playing lockdown defense on either of the other team’s guards.
Like with Holiday, Bledsoe and Lonzo will share primary ball-handling duties and both will play some on and off the ball.
The big change is Adams, who should be a much more effective offensive player than Favors as well as being a better all-around defender.
This starting five should again be among the league’s best but should have a better second unit led by J.J. Redick, Josh Hart, Kira Lewis Jr., Nicolo Melli and Jaxson Hayes.
The problem is that there is not a lot of playmaking in that group, especially if Kira Lewis Jr. is not ready for big minutes, which is why the Pelicans could go in a different direction.