The New Orleans Pelicans came into the 2024-25 NBA season with a few glaring needs on their roster. The most obvious was their lack of a reliable and experienced center, someone who they could entrust with defending the paint for 20-30 minutes every night. Yves Missi has put together an incredibly impressive rookie season, but he lacks the expertise and physical maturity necessary to anchor a defense full-time.
Another pressing need for the Pelicans was playmaking. Even after acquiring All-Star point guard Dejounte Murray, New Orleans still could have used another pure point guard or at least an additional ball-handler who could break down defenses off of the dribble and create opportunities for others. Lastly, the roster needed some consistent depth off of the bench. The Pels had plenty of top-end talent, but their role players were unproven.
Of course, all of that went out the window after their core was decimated by injuries in the early season and New Orleans was essentially eliminated from playoff contention. From there, the team's objective shifted towards player development and tanking to maximize their odds in the upcoming NBA Draft lottery. Still, just because the Pelicans are no longer competing for a playoff berth this season doesn't mean their roster holes just disappeared. Those weaknesses in their personnel could still be relevant next year when they'll hope to make a return to the postseason. Thankfully, one of their primary pressure points may turn out to be an unexpected strength instead.
The Pelicans could have one of the strongest bench units in the NBA next season
In New Orleans's season opener against the Chicago Bulls, they played five players off of the bench: Jordan Hawkins, Javonte Green, Yves Missi, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, and Jose Alvarado. Clearly, a lot has changed since the season tip-off. In the Pelicans' last game, a win over the San Antonio Spurs, they also brought five off of the pine: Jordan Hawkins and Jose Alvarado remained the same, but this time joined by Karlo Matkovic, Antonio Reeves, and Bruce Brown Jr.
Of course, their rotation is still affected by injuries, with Dejounte Murray, Herb Jones, and Brandon Boston Jr. unavailable against San Antonio. If they had been healthy, the bench unit probably would have been Alvarado, Boston Jr., Brown Jr. Matkovic, and Olynyk. That's a significantly stronger group than the reserves they started the season with.
And yet, the Pelicans' bench could be even stronger next year. Barring a massive trade — like one for a disgruntled superstar — New Orleans will at least be adding a high-profile rookie to their roster in the summer. They'll also likely be looking to add the true center that they never got this season. It's weird to say considering the Pelicans' current record, but their depth quickly went from a glaring issue into a real strength.