NBA Daily: 2022-2023 Season Preview #11 – New Orleans Pelicans
By Reylan Loberternos
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 27 Sep 2022
In this limited 30-part series, we shall be discussing each team’s latest developments, current roster, and future prospects in the upcoming 2022-2023 NBA season. For every team, we will examine bit-by-bit the important aspects that may shape its progress and provide a rough projection of how it will fare vis-à-vis its previous year’s performance and versus the rest of the league.
NEW ORLEANS PELICANS
2021-2022 Season Win-Loss Record:
36-46
Depth Chart:
PG – Jose Alvarado, Devonte Graham, Kira Lewis Jr.
SG – CJ McCollum, Garrett Temple, Trey Murphy III
SF – Brandon Ingram, Dyson Daniels, Herbert Jones
PF – Zion Williamson, Larry Nance Jr., Naji Marshall
CE – Jonas Valanciunas, Willy Hernangomez, Jaxson Hayes
Injury Updates:
No significant injuries.
Head Coach:
Willie Green
Headliners:
The New Orleans Pelicans should be among the teams that will make a dramatic turnaround this upcoming season. The trio of CJ McCollum, Brandon Ingram, and Jonas Valanciunas brought the New Orleans to last season’s playoffs. Can you imagine where this team will be with a healthy Zion Williamson in tow?
You can add the very versatile and defensively savvy guard Dyson Daniels, who was picked 8th overall in the recent Rookie Draft, to that mix and you’ll have one very promising team. It may also be important to note that the freshly adjudged Most Valuable Player in the recent FIBA Euro League for the eventual champions Spain is also with the team, as a backup to Jonas Valanciunas.
CJ McCollum, now out of Damian Lillard’s shadows, will be the Pelicans’ primary playmaker, team facilitator, and veteran leader. His perimeter shooting alongside that of Brandon Ingram’s will certainly spread the floor for the Pelicans, allowing Zion Williamson and Jonas Valanciunas a lot of space to operate down low.
Devonte Graham, Herbert Jones, Jaxson Hayes, Larry Nance Jr., and Jose Alvarado were also solid for New Orleans last season. These role players make them such a deep team that can probably weather occasional short-term injuries here and there throughout the season. Barring any major injuries to one or more of its key players, we can expect the New Orleans Pelicans to ride on the success they had last season and go for a deep playoff run this time around.
Comments are highly appreciated. You may send them to reylanloberternos@yahoo.com.ph and you may follow me @reylan_l on twitter.
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