New Orleans Pelicans: 3 reasons 2020-21 will take patience

New Orleans Pelicans: Who is the new starting five?

A lot of new faces

The Pelicans lost two of their key veterans when they traded Jrue Holiday and elected not to re-sign Derrick Favors.

Holiday was the team leader, the guy the young players turned to when they needed a bucket or a stop. Favors was the anchor of the defense (albeit a terrible defense) and the only grown adult the Pels had in the paint.

The Pelicans will be working two new players into the starting lineup and considering Zion only played a handful of games, you can count him as the third.

Eric Bledsoe and Steven Adams are both veterans who should be able to adapt quickly to their new roles, but when you factor in the new coach, the short turnaround and the fact that they are learning to play next to Zion’s unique talent, it is going to take some time.

Bench players like Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Sindarius Thornwell and Wenyen Gabriel could have expanded roles this season.

Rookie Kira Lewis Jr. was a lottery pick and will expect to play even though he is only 19-years-old.

Jaxson Hayes still has a ton to prove and will have to compete against veteran Willy Hernangomez for minutes.

There are a lot of potential chemistry issues on a young team with this many new players, especially as guys adjust to new and possibly uncomfortable roles.

Pelicans fans are going to have to show some patience, as this team is not likely to start fast and will take some time to find a groove.

In a shortened season time is not a luxury they have, so fans might have to wait another season to see New Orleans in the playoffs.