New Orleans Pelicans: Where positional battles stand so far

New Orleans Pelicans: Nickeil Alexander-Walker vs. Trey Murphy III

This isn’t a positional battle per se, as these two don’t really play the same position and are both going to play a lot of minutes this season and be key parts of the rotation.

But which one of them is going to start?

It appears as though Devonte’ Graham is going to start at point guard, though I am hoping that the Pelicans at least tinker with “jumbo” lineups with NAW at point and Brandon Ingram at the two.

The shooting guard spot is still open, as I highly doubt Garrett Temple is going to get the starting job once the games are real.

There are solid arguments for either or both or neither of these players to be in the starting lineup.

NAW was spectacular in the first two games but terrible vs. the Bulls while Trey Murphy III has been the Pelicans’ most consistent player in all three games.

I love TM3’s shooting to go with Zion and B.I. and think NAW might be best served as the #1 scoring option off the bench. Both guys are going to play plenty with the starters and with each other, so it might not matter in the end, but I’d say the rookie is better suited to start just because of his consistent 3-point shooting.

Advantage: Trey Murphy III

These battles for minutes are ultimately good for competition and all of these guys are going to play a role, but Willie Green has a lot of options and decisions to make.