Jordan Hawkins: Be a consistent part of the rotation.
More likely than not, Jordan Hawkins will be like almost every other rookie in NBA history and need some time to develop before he can reach his full potential. So, placing lofty expectations on him in year one wouldn’t be fair.
But, last season, we did see guys like Jalen Williams, Keegan Murray, and Walker Kessler make an immediate positive impact on their respective teams. Hawkins doesn’t need to be as good as they were in year one. But if he can find a way to stick on the Pelicans rotation in his inaugural season, that would be a great way to start what we hope to be a long and prosperous NBA career.
Naji Marshall: Become an average three-point shooter.
I firmly believe that Naji Marshall has some Caleb Martin in him. They both went undrafted (so they have an extra chip on their shoulder). They both approach the game in a fearless manner. They both can handle the ball well for their archetype (the 3-and-D archetype). And they both defend well for their position.
The one area Martin has Marshall beat in by a wide margin is 3-point shooting. Marshall is a career 28.6% 3-point shooter. Meanwhile, Martin is a career 36% 3-point shooter. We saw what a player like Martin can do for your team during the playoffs. Who knows, maybe Marshall can follow in his footsteps. But one thing is for certain: he won’t be able to without adding a more reliable outside shot.