BayHawks vs. Ignite: 5 guys who might play for the New Orleans Pelicans

The Erie BayHawks gave the G League Ignite their first loss of the new season, as the New Orleans Pelicans’ affiliate team blew out the prospect-loaded Ignite 87-127.

This year’s G League season is currently being played in a bubble at Disney World, much like how the NBA Playoffs took place in the Lake Buena Vista resort after the 2019-20 season was initially suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The G League is fundamental for many NBA teams despite not usually creating much buzz. This year, there is more public interest in the developmental league because of the Ignite team’s creation. The G League Ignite is the league’s main component of a one-year development program for elite high school prospects.

The creation of this team, which was later coined Ignite, came after the likes of LaMelo Ball and RJ Hampton opted to play their pre-draft basketball abroad as opposed to in the United States. Fearing an exodus of top national talent that preferred not to play in college, the NBA leapt into action. Currently, the Ignite roster is composed of six prospects—two which will likely go in the top five and another who might be a first round pick—and eight veterans.

But despite the increased buzz, the overall goal of the G League remains the same. It provides NBA teams with a place for young players who aren’t playing much to get some run. At the same time, veterans or perhaps guys who believe they should be NBA players also seek to join the league and play their way into the association.

The New Orleans Pelicans currently have two players on assignment with the BayHawks in Naji Marshall and Will Magnay. The BayHawks entered the game against the G League Ignite with only one loss, whereas the Ignite were undefeated.

Taking this game, previous history, and the rest of the G League season into account, here are five players that could play for the New Orleans Pelicans in the future.

New Orleans Pelicans: Jalen Green has big upside

Tankathon, a website that regularly predicts the order NBA teams might pick come draft time based on ongoing regular season results, currently has the New Orleans Pelicans around the 12th overall pick.

To be clear, Jalen Green is a top five prospect in my eyes or maybe even higher. Some in the NBA see Green as a “mid-lottery guy” right now. I expect that to change by the time the G League bubble wraps up, but Green being available in those spots would be an incredible boon for the Pels.

Much like the entire Ignite team, Green had a down night against the BayHawks. He only scored 13 points, but that should not detract from his talent. So far this season, this night is an exception for Ignite.

The California-born combo guard is a can’t miss prospect. Green can equally drop deep bombs from three and explosive dunks. He’s the type of guy to bust out a 360 dunk in the middle of a game. On top of that, Green has great physical tools for an NBA guard at 6-foot-6, long arms, and incredible vertical athleticism.

Green is not all flash and no substance, though. He should be a legitimate scorer at all three levels, able to create his own shot off the dribble at will and use his first step to get to the basket. Green can also create for his teammates in transition, although he still needs to refine his half-court passing.

The Ignite combo guard makes scoring look easy—almost too easy given his shot selection at times. That’s arguably Green’s biggest improvement area. Because he is so confident in his shot, Green might jack up an ill-advised shot early in the shot clock or a heavily contested three. I’ll also be keeping an eye on his three point shooting throughout the season. Green can definitely make it rain from beyond the arc, but his percentages have never been great.

On defense, Green is highly competent when motivated. He’s good at jumping into passing lanes and plays with good intensity. He’s brave and unafraid of contact, which I’m sure Pels head coach Stan Van Gundy would appreciate.

If the Pels do somehow end up with a chance to pick Green, they shouldn’t think twice. In my eyes, we’re writing about a future all-star. His potential is enticing and, theoretically speaking, he would merit greater focus than Kira Lewis Jr. or Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Lewis and Alexander-Walker are both exciting guard prospects to the future, but nowhere near the talent Green could be.

New Orleans Pelicans: Jalen Adams may be undersized

Jalen Adams is in his second stint with the Erie BayHawks. The former UConn guard played for the New Orleans Pelicans’ development team in the 2019-20 season after going undrafted. Then, he averaged 19 points per game on 39 percent three-point shooting.

Adams has been on the Pels’ radar ever since his career with the Huskies came to an end upon leaving college. At UConn, Adams averaged 14 points per game. He improved different aspects of his game every season. For instance, he scored the most points during his junior season but had much better efficiency his senior year.

Adams played for the New Orleans Pelicans in the 2019 Summer League and, at one point, was signed to an Exhibit 10 contract. It’s clear that the organization at least sees enough in him to keep Adams around.

The 6-foot-3 guard was one of the BayHawks’ brightest spots against the G League Ignite—and there were plenty of them. Adams went off for 17 points on 7-of-10 shooting. He was a constant threat for Erie as they handily beat the Ignite team. Adams played a confident brand of basketball during his 22 minutes on the floor. At one point in the third quarter, he splashed a three right in Jalen Green’s face, not wilting in what will likely be his showcase game this season.

Adams outdid his season averages in this game. He had been shooting 43 percent from the field and 30 percent from three, but he turned it up against the BayHawks.

The caveat with Adams is that he’s really a shooting guard in a point guard’s body. Adams can pass the ball—he averaged almost five assists in his previous season with the BayHawks—but he is a guy who will look for his own shot first and foremost. He only had one assist against Ignite.

Small shooting guards are rare in the NBA nowadays and Adams is facing an uphill climb even if he is a good scorer and athlete.

New Orleans Pelicans: Naji Marshall could be a 3-and-D wing

Naji Marshall is the second of the Pelicans’ two-way players. He went undrafted in the 2020 draft after three seasons for the Xavier Musketeers but was picked up by New Orleans.

In his last season at Xavier, Marshall scored 17 points per game but disappointed with his outside shot. He still made his conference’s first team, though. Marshall is a career 29 percent three-point shooter, which is poor for a 6-foot-7 forward with NBA hopes.

Shooting the three is an ever-growing point of emphasis for NBA wings and it’s something that Marshall must iron out if he aspires to stick around in the association. Prior to the BayHawks’ game against the G League Ignite, Marshall had only made one of his five attempted threes.

Yet, he was still averaging a solid 16 points per game. Marshall does most of his damage in transition, where he leads the G League in fast break points per game. That makes me think he would have been a great fit for Alvin Gentry’s iteration of the Pelicans, which flew up and down the court.

With Stan Van Gundy, the New Orleans Pelicans operate at a much more restrained and deliberate pace. Marshall has only seen eight total minutes of game time for New Orleans—for all intents and purposes, nothing.

Marshall was arguably the BayHawks’ standout player in their game against the Ignite team. He was a menace in transition, constantly outrunning his opponents down the floor and putting pressure on the rim. He also actively looked for his own shot, making three of his six attempted triples and finishing with 21 points. You can tell that Marshall is not a timid offensive player.

The Xavier product also flashed some interesting signs on defense. He used his long arms to make things happen for the BayHawks, who gave Ignite their toughest test to date with a huge difference.

New Orleans Pelicans: Jordan Bell deserves a look

Jordan Bell has been one of the best players in the G League so far this season. He came into the BayHawks’ game against Ignite among the most impactful players in myriad important categories for bigs.

Bell is second in overall field goal percentage and true shooting percentage. He barely misses. The former NBA champion lives in the paint, getting about 16 points per game there and gobbling up offensive rebounds.

Bell has posted some ridiculous statlines, the types you would read about in Wilt Chamberlain articles. For instance, he had a game against the Long Island Nets with 17 points, 16 rebounds, five assists, and five blocks.

The Oregon forward is currently without an NBA team after being released by the Washington Wizards at the end of January. He played in three games for Washington but is best known for his stint with the Golden State Warriors. Many pontificated that Bell could be the second coming of Draymond Green—an undersized big with every tool in his arsenal—but he has fizzled out of the NBA.

After his time to the Warriors came to an end, Bell loitered from team to team. He played 27 games for the Minnesota Timberwolves before being traded to the Houston Rockets.

Houston traded Bell the following day to the Memphis Grizzlies, where he played only two games. Lastly, he signed for the Cleveland Cavaliers and was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers where he was promptly waived.

Now with the BayHawks, Bell stayed in his groove against the Ignite team. He posted 13 points on 6-of-8 shooting to go along with five rebounds, once again being hard to stop at the rim. Bell also showed the versatility that once made him so alluring at Oregon, defending Jalen Green on some possessions but also being capable of guarding forward Isaiah Todd for instance.

New Orleans Pelicans: We may see Will Magnay soon

We have previously written about how Will Magnay has looked so far in the G League. The Australian big man can stroke the ball from deep and protect the rim. On paper, that sounds like a player that New Orleans needs and someone that could complement Zion Williamson perfectly.

Magnay is currently on a two-way deal after migrating from the Australian NBL to the NBA in the United States. In 2020, he was named the Australian league’s Most Improved Player. Last year, he averaged eight points and six rebounds per game for the Brisbane Bullets.

The Pelicans’ second units have struggled all season long, especially their bigs. Although it seems like Stan Van Gundy has found a temporary remedy in Willy Hernangómez, the Pels still need to find their bigs of the future. Jaxson Hayes seems ensconced in that conversation for New Orleans’ front office, but Magnay could work his way there. He hasn’t played a single minute for the Pels.

Magnay has not followed the traditional pipeline for an NBA prospect. He left the Tulsa Golden Hurricane after a sole season in which he averaged less than four points to sign with the Brisbane Bullets. His NBL numbers were not eye popping either, but he was effective and reportedly garnered interest from the Dallas Mavericks or Golden State Warriors for instance.

The Aussie forward is just 22-years-old with his entire career on the horizon. Unfortunately, he didn’t suit up against the Ignite team but his season in the G League so far is still worth mentioning.

Magnay is also in the top five for true shooting percentage in the G League, as well as being one of its best passing bigs through his first few games. Magnay is someone worth checking on. Even if he doesn’t play much in the NBA this year, we might be able to watch him in the  Summer Olympics for the Australian Boomers. Magnay is in their Tokyo 2020 squad alongside the likes of Ben Simmons and Patty Mills.