New Orleans Pelicans: 1 goal for each Pelican in the 2021-22 season

New Orleans Pelicans: 1 goal for each forward

Garrett Temple: Be the calm

Garrett Temple is one of the only veterans on this team, and even if he doesn’t play much, the Pels need him to embrace a role as a veteran leader who gets in the young guy’s faces at times, but also provides some calm.

Coach Willie Green will lean on him early as he tries to figure out his rotation and Temple just needs to be a calming presence in the locker room for the young players.

Herbert Jones: Make the rotation

I think it is always a modest goal for second-round picks to even make the rotation. Herb Jones can do that with his defense, but if he really wants to get minutes he’ll have to evolve into more of a 3-and-D guy. Right now he’s missing the 3 part of the equation, and the Pels can’t have guys out there with Zion who can’t shoot.

If Jones ends up making the rotation next season, he should consider it a success.

Trey Murphy III: Hit 40 percent from long range

Trey Murphy III is going to be asked to do a lot on defense next season, as they need his length and ability to help cover for Brandon Ingram on the wing.

But he won’t be asked to do anything on offense other than shoot 3-point shots, which he needs to do at a high rate, as the Pels don’t have many other guys who are considered “lights out” shooters.

He’s going to get open looks and Murphy just needs to knock them down, it’s that simple.

Naji Marshall: Break into the starting lineup

Naji is one of the Pels’ best defenders and hustle guys, but I would love to see him become more. If he can hit shots and make plays like he did in Summer League (big IF), I can see him breaking into the starting lineup.

There’s a lot to like about a “jumbo” starting five with Brandon Ingram at the two, as the Pels could inject some more defense and better balance their starting and bench units.

Josh Hart: Win 6th Man of the Year

This might seem like a lofty goal for Hart, who is a good defender and a great rebounder who struggled with his shot last season.

Hart took a big step back as a shooter, but he knows that is his weakness and will spend the offseason trying to improve. If he can shoot closer to 40 percent from long range, Hart will have a decent shot at the 6th Man of the Year award, especially if the New Orleans Pelicans improve as a team and make the playoffs.

Brandon Ingram: Become a two-way player

Brandon Ingram does not need to morph into Kawhi Leonard next season (though it would be nice) but his improvement on the defensive end might be the single biggest X-Factor for the Pelicans.

Ingram has the athleticism and length to be a disruptive defender but he has to stay focused and give effort for the entire shot clock, which he didn’t always do last season .

If he doesn’t make some strides in this area, it’s going to be tough for the Pels to leapfrog into playoff contention.

Zion Williamson: Lead the NBA in free throws

I think Zion is going to be spectacular next season and compete for a scoring title, but for him to do so, he has to get to the line more often and hit a higher percentage.

I think there are some compelling reasons why Zion Williamson will lead the league in free throw attempts next season, as he was 3rd last season and should get more calls.

If Zion can get to the line a few more times per game, he has a good chance of averaging upwards of 30 points per game, which could be enough to push the Pelicans to the next level and him into the MVP conversation.