3 disastrous mistakes the Pelicans must avoid making this summer

1. Let their young talent fade into the background

This point is of more importance when the games actually start, but this summer is all about creating the right mindset and basis for success. Zion Williamson is the biggest name on this team, but he is not the only young player with a bright future. Trey Murphy III and Herbert Jones both flashed their immense potential this season as well.

Murphy started the season in the background, acting as a 3-and-D guy and getting his points almost exclusively from catch-and-shoot looks. After the All-Star break, however, his offensive game took a meaningful step forward, and he averaged almost six more points because of it. He had five 30-point games, including a 41-point performance against the Portland Trail Blazers. In that game, he went 9-14 from three and 13-20 from the field, grabbed seven rebounds, and had a block and a steal in 30 minutes of action.

Murphy is a top aerial athlete and shooter, as well as a solid defender. With Williamson’s health and availability being such a big, daunting question mark looking over the Pelicans’ franchise, Murphy might just be their most important developmental project. Even if the team is healthy and Williamson is on the court, they should not allow Murphy to fade into the background again.

Similarly, they need to see what Jones can do going forward, and that starts with giving him an extension this summer. As a former second-round pick, Jones was a steal salary-wise, and even though it will probably cost more than expected, it is time to lock him down long-term.

Jones is a talented defender both on and off the ball and has the obvious potential to become an All-League caliber player on that side of the ball. While his offensive upside might not be quite as impressive, he has shown great potential on that end of the floor too. In an overtime win against the Memphis Grizzlies toward the end of the season, he played 44 minutes, scored 35 points on efficient shooting, grabbed seven rebounds, dished out three assists, and had three blocks.

Murphy and Jones both have great potential, and their development should be one of the top priorities for the Pelicans next season. So, this summer should be all about setting the foundation for that. Due to Williamson’s unreliability and the lack of big names on the market, it is worth seeing what these other young guys can blossom into.