New Orleans Pelicans: 3 biggest weaknesses of the Pelicans roster

The New Orleans Pelicans need playmakers

It’s hard to say that a team that has Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram on it lacks playmakers, but here we are.

Lonzo Ball and Eric Bledsoe accounted for about 9 assists per game between them, though I wouldn’t really call either of them playmakers in Stan Van Gundy’s offense. Ball got most of his assists in transition and Bledsoe mostly just stood in the corner.

Outside of Zion and Ingram, the Pels lacked guys who can get a shot for themselves or set up teammates. Devonte’ Graham is likely to be similar to Lonzo in that he’ll be asked to play off the ball and will be more of a spot up shooter.

Trey Murphy III can shoot, but can he create off the bounce? That is yet to be seen. Naji Marshall had some nice takes in Summer League but doesn’t figure to get a ton of usage in the Pels’ offense once the games are real.

The Pelicans are going to need Nickeil Alexander-Walker to step up and become that third scoring option who can break teams down off the dribble for his own shot or to set up teammates for theirs.

NAW might be the key to the Pels’ improvement, as someone has to step up and keep teams from just double and triple teaming Zion every time he touches the ball.

I think NAW can be that guy, but he is still unproven, so until he starts making plays consistently, teams are not going to have to adjust their defenses much.