Pelicans news: Media day gives intriguing answers on 2024-25 starting lineup

The New Orleans Pelicans came into 2024 media day with a lot of question marks surrounding the team and their aspirations for the upcoming season. This is undoubtedly a squad that intends to contend for a title, with several All-Star caliber players in the midst of their primes in Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, CJ McCollum, and first-year Pelican Dejounte Murray.

The supporting cast also has some standout members in Trey Murphy III, Herb Jones, and Jose Alvarado that give New Orleans a well-rounded roster that can go toe to toe with any opponent in the NBA in terms of talent. But, the Pelicans aren't viewed among the top threats for the championship next season due to a few glaring holes in their construction.

Between Zion, BI, CJ, DJM, Herb, and TMIII, New Orleans has six players that would likely start on any other team in the league. Unfortunately, none of them are a true center and many of them have overlapping strengths and weaknesses. Because of that, it's been a mystery what the Pelicans starting lineup will be for the upcoming 2024-25 NBA season.

Pelicans starters have still not been set for the 2024-25 NBA season

Media Day is a great chance for reporters and analysts to try to squeeze answers for any lingering questions surrounding a team ahead of the beginning of training camp and preseason. Those answers might not always resolve anything, though.

When asked, Head Coach Willie Green revealed that he still doesn't have the starting lineup decided yet for the upcoming season. He also stated that he's not deadset on playing a traditional center. As it stands, New Orleans has a center room consisting of German veteran journeyman Daniel Theis, Baylor rookie Yves Missi, and former second-round pick turned free agent Karlo Matkovic. They could maybe shoehorn Jeremiah Robinson-Earl into a full-time center, too. But, Coach Green has now expressed that perhaps none of their ragtag big men will wind up a starter.

While a definitive starting lineup wasn't given, Coach Green did tell the media that he intends to find a group he likes and stick with it throughout the season. He believes that building consistency will be key to maximizing the success of the lineup and the team overall.

The sooner that Coach Green can identify his go-to five, the more time they'll have to build chemistry. With training camp starting next month, expect the Pelicans to tinker with their potential lineups before choosing their starters soon.