Pelica Debrief
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Three risers and one standout faller from the Pelicans Summer League

The Summer League can often create a pecking order for both the incoming rookie class and regular season rotations. With that being said, whose stock is up and whose stock is down following the conclusion of the annual summer event.

By Treyvon Hastings

Pelicans' Yves Missi (pictured) during the 2024 NBA rookie photo shoot
Pelicans' Yves Missi (pictured) during the 2024 NBA rookie photo shoot / Monica Schipper/GettyImages
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Despite just one double-digit loss, the Pelicans Summer League team finished as one of three winless teams (Atlanta and Milwaukee). Now that Summer League has concluded, it's time to focus on the regular season. New Orleans' star-studded starting lineup will look to maintain health in hopes of chasing playoff success. Despite the talented top-end of their roster, the Pelicans have struggled to maintain winning when injuries pile up, especially to stars Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram.

In need of consistent depth, the Pelicans will turn to their young players to complete their rotation. However, each player's performance throughout the Summer League may impact their role in the team's plans. With good and bad performances throughout their Summer League, we discuss who stood out (good and bad) for New Orleans heading into the 2024-25 season.

Riser: Antonio Reeves

Acquired by New Orleans in the Jonas Valanciunas sign-and-trade to Washington, the Pelicans second-round pick was one of the team's best performers. He averaged nearly just under 12 points, three rebounds, and two steals per game in five games. He showed only a portion of the offensive firepower that got him drafted in from the University of Kentucky, where Reeves averaged 20 points and four rebounds, shooting 51 percent, 45 percent from three, and 86 percent on free throws.

Reeves' consistency was a bright spot in an otherwise lackluster Summer League for New Orleans. With his ability to shoot the basketball, Reeves could earn playing time off the bench alongside Jose Alvarado and Jordan Hawkins in the New Orleans backcourt, all of which will compete for minutes behind CJ McCollum and Dejounte Murray. New Orleans is preparing for a change in their play style, and Reeves fit in perfectly to the fast-paced, shooting offense the Pelicans want to create.

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