The New Orleans Pelicans are in a tough predicament next season with new coach Willie Green.
On one hand, this is a young team with a new coach, so can we really expect them to be improved? On the other, fans are getting sick of hearing that excuse and think anything other than a playoff berth will make next season a failure.
The Pelicans definitely want to unleash their youth movement with guys like Kira Lewis Jr. and Trey Murphy III taking over roles that were once held by veteran players.
But Willie Green will be under pressure to win, which is why we might see a lot more of two veterans than we probably want to, especially early in the season.
New Orleans Pelicans: How much are Garrett Temple and Tomas Satoransky going to play?
When the Pelicans traded Lonzo Ball for the paltry return of Garrett Temple and Tomas Satoransky, I immediately wondered if either of them would actually have roles for the Pels next season.
In fact, when I made my starting lineup and backup predictions, I didn’t even list these two, but that may have been wishful thinking on my part.
Both played significant bench roles for the Bulls last season, with Garrett Temple logging 27 minutes a game and Satoransky playing 22 as a backup.
The Pels would love it if Kira Lewis Jr. and Trey Murphy III stepped up and seized the backup point guard and shooting guard roles, but if they don’t, Green will be tempted to lean on these two veterans.
The Pelicans do not have a lot of quality veteran depth, so if Lewis Jr. and Murphy III don’t step up, I could see Temple and Satoransky getting a lot of run, at least early in the season.
I think as the season progresses and the two youngsters get more comfortable, we will eventually see them earn those spots, but until then, Green will be looking for ways to get wins early in the season when the schedule is its lightest.
It’s strange to be rebuilding team that is also expected to make the playoffs, but that’s what comes with having a superstar like Zion Williamson.
It will be interesting to see how coach Green allocates his minutes early in the season when the Pels are under pressure to get off to a fast start.