Pelica Debrief
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What if the New Orleans Pelicans took Jamal Murray over Buddy Hield?

By Xaiver Aguiar

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 31: Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets in action during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on October 31, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 31: Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets in action during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on October 31, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 19: Edrice Adebayo #3 of the Kentucky Wildcats reacts to his dunk in the second half against the Wichita State Shockers during the second round of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 19, 2017, in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 19: Edrice Adebayo #3 of the Kentucky Wildcats reacts to his dunk in the second half against the Wichita State Shockers during the second round of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 19, 2017, in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

The New Orlean Pelicans Take a Big Swing in the 2017 NBA Draft

With the 8th pick, the Pelicans want to add to their roster while also focusing on future upside. New Orleans could use anyone here, but they are looking to trade down to target a big man later in the draft.

The Pistons, who still hold the 11th pick in the draft, are looking to acquire a versatile big man to pair with their center, Andre Drummond. They trade up a few spots with the Pelicans and can snag Gonzaga stud, Zach Collins. New Orleans is able to acquire the Piston’s first-round pick this year and a lottery-protected fist in 2018.

With the 11th pick, the team looks to John Calipari again and takes Kentucky big Bam Adebayo. It’s close to where the Heat took a chance on Bam in real life, and it makes basketball sense for New Orleans.

The franchise envisions Bam and Davis forming an elite defensive tandem which could be troublesome for opponents.

With the 11th pick, the team looks to John Calipari again and takes Kentucky big Bam Adebayo. It’s close to where the Heat took a chance on Bam in real life, and it makes basketball sense for New Orleans.

The franchise envisions Bam and Davis forming an elite defensive tandem which could be troublesome for opponents.

To fill out the roster, they don’t end up trading away their second-round pick and instead look to gain more forward depth. Demps turns his attention to the Pacific Northwest and ends up taking All-American Dillon Brooks at 38th overall.

The former Duck shined during his three years at Oregon and fell primarily due to his lack of athleticism. He has taken a massive leap from downtown, shooting over 40% this past season

New Orleans Pelicans Revised 2017 Off-Season

The Pelicans off-season is virtually the same as it is in real life, with two drastic differences. The team’s forward position is weak, and New Orleans needs to address that immediately.

They prioritize shooting and look at the “mid-tier” free agents to fill in their holes. Demps signs Bojan Bogdanovic away from the Wizards and gives him a three-year deal worth $34M. The Bosnian is coming off a season where he shot nearly 40% from beyond the arc and can help the putrid offensive immediately.

Without the acquisition of Cousins, the team still has cap space to work with. They use this money to add another shooter in Tim Hardaway Jr. to a three-year deal to sure up the team’s new direction.

Sorry Tony Allen, Jameer Nelson, and Josh Smith, you guys will need new homes.

The Pelicans Show Promise in 2017-18

The important part of the roster to start the season looks like this:

PG’s: Jamal Murray, Rajon Rondo

SG’s: Jrue Holiday, Tim Hardaway Jr., Ian Clark

SF’s: Bojan Bogdanovic, Solomon Hill, Dillon Brooks

PF’s: Anthony Davis, Dante Cunningham

C’s: Ömer Aşik, Bam Adebayo

The Pelicans had a great start to the 2017 season in real life that does not carry over to this fantasy world. Rondo’s impact is not as seismic while splitting time with Jamal Murray, who is off to a great start to his sophomore season.

Murray isn’t talented enough yet to be the perfect sidekick to Anthony Davis like DeMarcus Cousins was, which means the team isn’t as successful. They are in the back end of the playoff race in a loaded Western Conference but impressing the NBA in the process.

Hardaway Jr. and Bogdanovic have improved the team spacing dramatically and are integral parts of the team’s newfound success.

It’s evident early on that Bam will be a star but still needs a year or two to develop his craft. He isn’t there yet in his career to take the starting role away from Asik, who is the clear weak link in a talented lineup.

At the deadline, the front office acquires Knicks disgruntled big Willy Heranangomez in exchange for Asik and a second-round pick. The Nikola Mirotic trade happens but looks like this instead:

The Pelicans soar to the end of the season, and in a crowded West, finish at 50-32. That is shockingly good enough for the 3 seed, and the team has home-court advantage for the first round of the playoffs.

That sets up a date with the Utah Jazz, which the Pelicans ultimately win in 6 games. Anthony Davis has a monstrous series, stretching the floor and forcing Rudy Gobert out of his comfort zone. In turn, this makes life easy for the Murray and Holiday tandem, who do most of their work near the rim.

The second-round matchup pits the upstart Pelicans against the mighty Warriors, fresh off their 5th title. This series is a televised massacre. New Orleans loses a decisive 4 game series, and questions swirl on what this team can do after a promising season.

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