New Orleans Pelicans: Why Kristaps Porzingis is not the answer

New Orleans Pelicans: Porzingis is getting worse

Kristaps Porzingis had a very good season where he averaged 20 points and just under nine rebounds per game, so speculation that he is in serious decline is a little overblown.

But he didn’t play well in the playoffs, has already had injury issues and only played 43 games this season. His numbers have dipped in nearly every category and he’s really just become a giant version of Lonzo Ball without the defense, as he shoots most of his shots from behind the 3-point line.

While the Pels could definitely use a stretch big, they need defense far more and Porzingis just put up the worst defensive stats of his career, averaging just 1.3 blocks per game, down from two just last season.

This would still lead the Pelicans, but Porzingis doesn’t do much else on defense, so if his shot blocking is in decline, that’s not a good sign for the future.

His injury history is troubling for a team that has struggled in that area, and Porzingis really doesn’t do enough to be considered a max player anymore.

I’d rather spend $100 million on Lonzo Ball to be honest, as he at least comes without the added expense of giving up players or draft picks.

Kristaps Porzinigis is not a good fit for the New Orleans Pelicans, who need defenders and tough players who have a history of winning.