The New Orleans Pelicans will have some new players in the rotation this season and are counting on improvement, especially from the shooting guards.
Last year’s group of Eric Bledsoe, J.J. Redick and Nickeil Alexander-Walker did not get it done, especially the first two, who pretty much had their worst seasons as professionals.
Bledsoe never carved out a role for himself and never looked like he wanted to be in New Orleans and Redick was injured and also begging to be traded for most of the season.
If the New Orleans Pelicans are going to improve, they are going to have to get more from their shooting guards, especially NAW, who is expected to have a much larger role.
Here are some predictions for the shooting guards next season.
New Orleans Pelicans: Season stat predictions for the shooting guards
Garrett Temple
Last season: 7.6 points, 2.2 assists and 2.9 rebounds
Next season: 5.5 points, 1 assist and 2 rebounds
Garrett Temple played 27 minutes a game for the Chicago Bulls last season, but I can’t see him getting that kind of run next season for the New Orleans Pelicans.
It’s possible that Temple will get minutes early as the young Pelicans try to figure things out, as Willie Green is going to have to lean on the few veterans he has, but over the course of the year I expect those minutes will diminish as the younger, more talented guards rise up the rotation.
Temple was a low-key great acquisition for depth, as he can play three positions, but the Pels are going with the youth movement and will give their young guys every chance to play, which is why I think Temple’s numbers will go down.
Trey Murphy III
Last season: 11.3 points, 1.2 assists and 3.4 rebounds
Next season: 10 points, 1.5 assists and 4 rebounds
I think Trey Murphy III has the chance to thrive in New Orleans but there are always some growing pains for rookies.
If Murphy III shoots the ball well right away, then these numbers could be low, as he is going to get a lot of open looks in this offense with Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram getting most of the attention.
In the beginning, I expect he’ll take on the Redick role from last season, a guy who comes in with the second unit and is the primary 3-point shooting option. But I could also see him earn a starting role over time, so again, these numbers might be low, but I think averaging double-digits in his rookie season would be a big win for 3M3.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker
Last season: 11 points, 2.2 assists, 3.1 rebounds
Next season: 17.5 points, 4 assists, 5.5 rebounds
If the New Orleans Pelicans are going to make the playoffs, then they absolutely must get a breakout year from Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
NAW should be in the starting lineup and will get every opportunity to seize the role as the Pels’ third scoring option.
I think he is ready, as he really started to come on last season, has had an important offseason playing with Team Canada and is poised to have an expanded role. He put up big numbers as a starter last season and I expect him to get near those in a full season in the starting five.
NAW’s development might be the single biggest factor in the Pels’ improvement, and if he achieves these numbers the Pelicans are likely to find themselves in the playoffs.