New Orleans Pelicans: 3 players that can step up after Zion Williamson’s injury

New Orleans Pelicans: Is it time for Wenyen Gabriel?

Wenyen Gabriel might finally get a sustained chance to impress with the New Orleans Pelicans.

The former Kentucky forward has been an enthusiastic presence at the end of the Pelicans’ bench for the entire season, but he hasn’t gotten much shine on the floor. Gabriel projects as a long, versatile wing that can play the 3 and the 4 while bringing plenty of defensive presence.

His downfall is his offensive game. Gabriel is great on one end of the floor, but he lacks feel on attack. Often, it seems like scoring a single bucket is a daunting task for him, whose best offensive game is still an unexpected flurry of seven three-pointers against Alabama in college.

Gabriel was always going to be an offensive project in the NBA. His defensive activity and potential keeps him on league radars, but he can essentially be a non-factor offensively. That’s why, despite some nice flashes for the Sacramento Kings and Portland Trail Blazers, Gabriel continues to fight an uphill climb in New Orleans.

However, the last few games of the season are a great opportunity for the man from South Sudan. He has started getting more minutes as of late and, in the Pels’ last game against the Philadelphia 76ers, rewarded Stan Van Gundy’s renewed trust in him with a trifecta of timely three-pointers.

Out of everyone on the roster, I think it’s Gabriel who has the most to gain from Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram’s absences. There is now an even larger dearth of front court options where Gabriel can slide up and down at least two positions, meaning that I expect him to get some run in the days to come.

Naji Marshall made the most of his chance earlier this season when Josh Hart got injured and the former Xavier standout was called into the rotation. He excelled on both sides of the basketball and saw his two-way contract converted to a guaranteed deal this week.

Something similar could happen for Gabriel. He is on a regular deal earning $1.6 million this season, but it is the Pelicans who control his future. New Orleans has a team option on Gabriel for next season and a run of great games could persuade the Pels’ front office to pick him up for another year.