Level of worry for each New Orleans Pelicans’ young player
The New Orleans Pelicans are now just 3-16 in a season that is rapidly looking lost.
It’s become clear that this team cannot function without Zion Williamson, which isn’t surprising given that it was built around him.
Zion, Brandon Ingram, Jonas Valanciunas and Devonte’ Graham all look like pieces that can fit together, but the question is whether the Pelicans have anything else.
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The most disappointing part of this season other than the Pelicans’ record is the lack of progress we’ve seen from some of their young guys. The level of worry ranges from low or even non-existent to high when it comes to New Orleans’ youth.
Here is where each player ranks on my worry meter.
Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones: Worry Level- None
I am not worried about these two guys at all. Herb Jones has been one of the steals of the draft and is already one of the top-20 defenders in this league in my opinion. If this guy starts knocking down a few 3-pointers per game he is the perfect type of player to put around Zion Williamson.
Trey Murphy III hasn’t made much of an impact yet, but he is playing (other than last night) which is all you want out of a 17th pick. I still think he has a chance to thrive in New Orleans when this team is at full strength, and he’s still only a 21-year-old rookie.
Naji Marshall Worry Level: High
I had high hopes that Marshall would be a rotation player this season, so the fact that he can’t get off the bench on this team is worrying.
He’s still only hit one three-point shot this season and really hasn’t made any kind of positive impact. He’s also 24-years-old, the same age as Brandon Ingram, so he barely qualifies as young.