New Orleans Pelicans: 3 questions for Summer League

New Orleans Pelicans: 3 questions for Summer League

#3: Will Summer League Naji Marshall carry over to the season?

Naji Marshall will be the Pels’ Summer League veteran, and another guy who will be battling for minutes in the rotation this season.

He’s been largely overlooked in the offseason talk, but he played well at times down the stretch last season after bouncing in and out of the rotation.

Marshall has played very well in Summer League in the past, initiating plays from the wings and in transition and playing energetic defense.

But the style in Summer League (which is usually full of turnovers that lead to a lot of running) suits Naji’s strengths, so I expect him to play well again and look like he should be part of the rotation.

The question is whether it will carry over, as Marshall still has to show that he can shoot the 3-point shot better than he did last season, when he hit just 20 percent.

We know Naji can defend a couple of spots, run the floor and make plays, but given the Pelicans’ lack of 3-point shooting and floor spacing, he’s going to have to be able to hit shots to get regular minutes in the rotation.

I like Naji and am cheering for him, so I hope his shooting has improved.