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Zion Williamson will barely recognize this Pelicans’ roster

By Aaron Kellerstrass

Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans, Eric Bledsoe #5, Lonzo Ball #2, Brandon Ingram #14 and Steven Adams (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans, Eric Bledsoe #5, Lonzo Ball #2, Brandon Ingram #14 and Steven Adams (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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New Orleans Pelicans, Herbert Jones, Trey Murphy III
Herbert Jones #5 of the New Orleans Pelicans and Trey Murphy III (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images /

New Orleans Pelicans: Zion Williamson’s new roster

The forwards

Before:

  • Brandon Ingram
  • Josh Hart
  • James Johnson
  • Naji Marshall
  • Nicolo Melli
  • Wenyen Gabriel

Now:

  • Brandon Ingram
  • Larry Nance Jr.
  • Herbert Jones
  • Trey Murphy III
  • Naji Marshall

This group didn’t change as much, as Ingram and Marshall are still in New Orleans, but the forward ranks have been upgraded as well.

Losing Josh Hart hurt, as he was a fan-favorite, but Larry Nance Jr. does many of the same things and is bigger and more versatile defensively.

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The biggest upgrade is obviously Herb Jones, who is a far superior defender to anyone who was on the roster the last time Zion played.

Trey Murphy III is a big shooting upgrade and should be even better next season with a year of experience.

This group is younger, more flexible defensively and gives Zion more shooting options around him. It also gives Willie Green the opportunity to go with small, offensive lineups with Nance Jr. at center.

The Pelicans have switched out nine players since Zion Williamson was last in the lineup, and he should return to a much deeper and better fitting roster around him.

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