New Orleans Pelicans: Ranking the Pels’ roster from bottom to top
The ranks of the New Orleans Pelicans’ roster have been shuffled.
The New Orleans Pelicans‘ roster is complete barring an unexpected trade, and there are a lot of new faces.
Franchise icon Jrue Holiday was shipped off to Milwaukee for Eric Bledsoe. Derrick Favors walked back to Utah and was replaced by Steven Adams.
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The Pels let most of their role players walk, choosing not to pursue Frank Jackson, Jahlil Okafor, Kenrich Williams or E’Twaun Moore.
Whether these changes will result in more wins is anyone’s guess, as the Pels still have glaring needs after trades, the draft and free agency.
The addition of Stan Van Gundy should also help produce some wins, but ultimately it is the players who need to take care of business.
Here are the rankings of the top-14 players on the New Orleans Pelicans, but first, two longshots with a chance to make the roster.
The Longshots
These two players could end up on the roster at some point, even if it is not at the beginning of the season. Both have skillsets that the Pels need (long, versatile defenders) and could give some protection at the wing for Brandon Ingram.
Naji Marshall
Marshall went undrafted, mostly because he is already 22-years-old. He is a skilled passer but his calling card is his defense. He defended 1-3 in college and could provide the Pelicans with some size and defense on the wing, especially if someone gets injured.
Rawle Alkins
What I like about Alkins is that he brings intensity, which is something the Pelicans lacked last season. He will help the Pelicans even if he doesn’t make the team.
He is another strong defender with good length who has the strength to defend multiple positions. His shot needs work, but his size and defense would be a welcome addition.