The New Orleans Pelicans will head into next season with a loaded roster with 14 guys who got minutes last season and rookie Dyson Daniels all competing for playing time.
Willie Green knows it’s a “good problem to have” as the last few seasons have shown that depth is vitally important if a team wants to compete for a top seed.
Coach Green mostly went with a 10-man rotation last season, but next season he’ll have even more talent to work with, not to mention the return of Zion Williamson, who will take a spot in the starting five and push another talented player to the bench.
These are all good things, as it will force everyone to compete for minutes, to stay sharp, and will give coach Green the luxury of playing whoever has the hot hand, is competing hard in practice, as well as a number of different lineup combinations to employ.
But with 15 players fighting for minutes, someone is going to get left out, so what will the New Orleans Pelicans’ 10-man rotation look like next season?
New Orleans Pelicans: The 10-man rotation
If I had to guess right now, these are the 10 players I see in the Pels’ rotation to start next season:
- Brandon Ingram
- Zion Williamson
- CJ McCollum
- Herb Jones
- Jonas Valanciunas
- Jaxson Hayes
- Trey Murphy III
- Jose Alvarado
- Larry Nance Jr.
- Devonte’ Graham
There will definitely be competition for those minutes on the back end of the bench, and there could certainly be more trades between now and then, but this is the likely rotation to start the season.
As you can see, there are some names missing such as rookie Dyson Daniels, point guard Kira Lewis Jr., veteran Garrett Temple, swingman Naji Marshall and backup center Willy Hernangomez.
Those guys are going to have to climb the depth chart to get into the rotation, though I am sure they will all get a chance at some point in the season, especially if the Pelicans trade Devonte’ Graham.
There will be no free rides next season, as every minute is going to have to be earned, even for guys who were lottery picks in the NBA Draft.