Like it or not, the age of Artificial Intelligence is upon us and it doesn't look like these programs are going to go away anytime soon. We'll either be stuck with them until they become our robot overlords or the internet becomes flooded with so much AI slop that these engines get trapped into a cycle where they endlessly produce more and more garbage that's just a regurgitation of previous garbage. While I don't want to hide my disdain for generative AI or the way it's taking away opportunities for people pursuing creative careers, these programs aren't useless and can actually be extremely helpful in the right situations.
For example, Philadelphia 76ers President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey recently told DraftKings's Pablo S. Torre that he and the Sixers regularly consult with artificial intelligence to help make decisions. Between the overall controversial nature of AI and the disastrous season that Philly is having this year, Morey's disclosure did not go over well with NBA fans.
As much fun as it may be to poke fun at AI, its users, and Morey, the 76ers are surely not the only team using artificial intelligence. They may not be having basketball discussions with a chatbot like Morey's statements may have suggested, but there's almost certainly a place for AI in every single organization's analytics department. Rather than just write off the use of AI in NBA decision-making, I wanted to put it to the test. I asked an AI engine three pressing questions revolving around the New Orleans Pelicans and how they should approach their future. Here's how it went:
What AI thinks the New Orleans Pelicans should do this offseason
1. Should the Pelicans re-sign Bruce Brown Jr.?
The Pelicans acquired Bruce Brown Jr. ahead of the trade deadline as part of the deal that sent Brandon Ingram to the Toronto Raptors. His inclusion in the deal was a bit questionable due to his expiring contract. Rather than flip him for additional assets, New Orleans elected to retain him through the deadline, which puts them at risk to lose him for nothing when he becomes an unrestricted free agent after the season. I've posited that the Pels need to retain him no matter what simply to keep the asset.
The AI laid out its case with a pros and cons list. It counted Brown Jr.'s defensive versatility, championship experience, and his fit with the roster (although it did think that Ingram was still on the team) as the primary reasons to keep him around. It also mentioned that the Pelicans won't have any meaningful cap space even if they let him walk which meant they'd be hard pressed to find a better option on the market.
On the other hand, the AI believes that New Orleans needs shooting more than it needs defense and worries that Brown Jr. could command a similar deal to his last one, stating that his $23 million salary from this season was too much for his production and would severely hamper the Pelicans' financial flexibility.
Ultimately, it believes that the Pelicans should try to re-sign Bruce Brown Jr., but for no more than $12 million per year.
Grade: B-
2. Who should the Pelicans target in the 2025 NBA Draft if they miss out on Cooper Flagg?
The AI chose Ace Bailey as its favorite prospect for the Pelicans if they can't get Cooper Flagg. Why? It believes that Bailey has the most star potential out of everyone left in the class. It praised his ability to score at all three levels, knack for creating his own offense, athletic profile, and defensive potential.
It again mentioned Brandon Ingram but this time gave a disclaimer that he might no longer be on the team. What's most interesting is that it listed "long-term Zion insurance" as a primary driver for its choice, stating that Bailey would make for a great franchise cornerstone should New Orleans ever have to move on from Williamson due to health concerns. One thing it failed to mention was the Pelicans' depth at forward, with Zion, Trey Murphy III, and Herb Jones, among others, already on the team and in need of major roles.
Grade: B+
3. Should the Pelicans trade Zion Williamson?
Zion Williamson might be on a historic tear right now, but his future with the Pelicans is still precarious. In fact, the better he plays, the more New Orleans might have to consider trading him as his stock continues to soar. Depending on where they land in the NBA Draft lottery and how Trey Murphy III continues to develop, the Pelicans could find themselves more motivated to move Zion this summer than they might currently anticipate.
The AI believes that they should hold on to Big Z and reassess at next season's trade deadline, unless they receive an offer they can't refuse this summer. It believes that building around Williamson is still the quickest and most surefire path to contention, although it did share its concerns surrounding his long-term health and availability. Overall, this is a pretty lukewarm take from the AI, although it's the correct one and likely the path that the Pelicans will choose. It does lose points for suggesting a trade with the Brooklyn Nets in return for a package built around Mikal Bridges as a possible deal for Zion.
Grade: C+