Surprise, disappointment or on track? Category for each player on the Pelicans

Injured Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Injured Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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New Orleans Pelicans, Naji Marshall, Zion Williamson
Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers is guarded by Naji Marshall #8 of the New Orleans Pelicans (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

The New Orleans Pelicans are 7-19 and currently have the worst record in the Western Conference.

I would say most fans are disappointed with the overall record, but it isn’t completely unexpected given that they are playing without Zion Williamson.

The Pels have also had the toughest schedule in the NBA and have played the most games of any team (thanks, NBA!) so this season is far from over and the Pelicans can still make a run if/when Zion ever comes back.

Every player on the roster currently fits into one of three categories: The surprise players are the ones who are better than expected, the disappointing players are worse and the on-track guys are pretty much right where we thought they’d be.

Here is where every player on the New Orleans Pelicans fits.

New Orleans Pelicans, surprise, disappointment or on tack? Deep bench

Didi Louzada- Disappointment

I thought Didi might get some run this season, instead he got suspended for using steroids. Not a good look for a young guy who was on the fringes of the rotation anyway. Will he ever play a meaningful minute for the Pelicans? Hard to say at this point.

Naji Marshall- Disappoinment

Count me as one of the people who thought Naji was going to be a meaningful part of the rotation. Instead, he has barely played and been awful when he has. Further proof that Summer League means nothing, as he has been one of the biggest disappointments on the team.

Garrett Temple- On track

He’s actually been better than most people want to admit, but is playing WAY TOO MUCH. This is not his fault, as I don’t think he thought he’d be in the starting lineup after being traded to the Pelicans as part of the Lonzo Ball debacle.

If the Pels were at full strength, Temple would be a decent contributor off the bench.

Tomas Satoransky- Disappointment

Satoransky has forgotten how to shoot and doesn’t contribute much. I didn’t think he was an All-Star but I thought he was at least an NBA rotation player, which he is not.