New Orleans Pelicans: 3 realistic team goals for the 2021-22 season

New Orleans Pelicans: Make the play-in tournament and play some meaningful games

The New Orleans Pelicans were obviously a flawed team last season and far from being a title contender, but it is still disappointing that they didn’t get to play any meaningful games down the stretch.

Getting playoff reps for your young players is crucial to their development, as they get to see exactly what it takes to win at the highest level in the NBA.

The Pelicans don’t really have any players with playoff experience other than Valanciunas, who is on the final year of his deal and may not even be part of the long-term plans.

The Pels blew their chance to catch the Spurs last season by losing their final four games and missing the play-in tournament, a fate they need to avoid next season.

It takes time to build a title team, and most superstars don’t win championships right away (ask LeBron James and Michael Jordan) but part of getting to that level is taking steps towards it each year.

Even if the Pelicans got spanked in the play-in tournament, they would at least be taking that next logical step towards contention.

It would be very disappointing if the New Orleans Pelicans finished another season without getting Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram some meaningful reps in a playoff atmosphere.

Until that happens, the Pels are just stuck in limbo and the rumors about Zion Williamson leaving are going to poison the well until he re-signs or forces his way out.

No one expects the Pels to win a title next season, but they have to take that step, as three years without Zion in the playoffs will represent a huge failure on the part of the front office.