The New Orleans Pelicans hired a new President of Basketball Operations in David Griffin on April 12th, 2019. His job was to try to mend an unmendable situation with Anthony Davis. Davis wanted to be traded and he wanted to be a Laker. He would get his wish, while Griffin did meet with Davis, it did not change his mind and Davis was traded to the Lakers for Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, 3 first round picks, and a pick swap. With all of this going on the Pelicans received a blessing, they won the draft lottery which allowed them to draft Zion Williamson, the most hyped prospect since LeBron James, Davis’ new teammate with the Lakers. Zion immediately changed everything for New Orleans. He gave them a player to build around, a star to sell tickets, a player that they can base every decision they make about. However, I am not sure that’s how New Orleans has gone about it. Let’s look at the roster and the moves the Pelicans have made since drafting Zion and hope that Williamson’s time in the Bayou ends differently than AD’s.
Zion Williamson has been everything the Pelicans could have dreamed he would be and more. He is dominant, so dominant. This season Zion is averaging 26.8 points and 7.2 rebounds on 62% shooting from the field. He can get to the paint whenever he wants and no matter who is guarding it, is likely going to score, even though he does not shoot the 3 ball very well and he needs to develop it. He has 11 games with over 30 points and 60% shooting. To put that in perspective, in his 2012-13 MVP campaign LeBron James had 12 games with over 30 points and 60% shooting. James did it in 76 games, while Zion has just needed 48 games. LeBron was also 28 years old and in his prime while Williamson is just 20 and in his second season. Zion Williamson is putting these kinds of numbers up while he should be a junior at Duke. He also made his first All-Star team this season. However, the Pelicans are just 24-29 good enough for 11th in the Western Conference. That simply is not good enough.
The Pelicans traded an All-Star level point guard in Jrue Holiday to the Bucks for Eric Bledsoe, George Hill, 3 first round picks, and 2 pick swaps in November. They then flipped one of the first round picks and Hill (along with swingman Darius Miller) in a 3 team trade with the Nuggets and Thunder to acquire Steven Adams. Eric Bledsoe does not fit well with Zion but it is understandable that he would be acquired as they could not turn down those picks to add to their already loaded war chest of assets. However, Adams simply does not fit with Williamson. He clogs up the paint so it puts another body there for when Zion drives to help stop him from scoring. You need a big that can stretch the floor both on offense and defense. Let’s talk about Brandon Ingram. An All-Star in 2020, Ingram was New Orleans best player throughout last season. He had a breakout season last season averaging 23.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 4.2 assists on 46% shooting and 39% 3 point shooting. He is a very good player but does he fit with Williamson? I am not sure. Yes, he is a fantastic player, as I already said, averaging similar numbers to last season. However, watching him I question whether he is a good fit with Zion because sometimes he puts his head down and can take too many dribbles late in games with Williamson on the court. Eric Bledsoe struggles to shoot, Steven Adams clogs up the paint, and Brandon Ingram wants to be the best player, this is not building around your best player.
You know who is a perfect fit with Zion, Lonzo Ball. He can shoot the ball, is an elite lob thrower, and is a very good defensive player. You know who is a restricted free agent to be who the Pelicans were entertaining the idea of trading, Lonzo Ball. You need to surround Zion with shooters, you need to fit your team to him, and that just is not what New Orleans is doing. I have written about a Bradley Beal trade to the Pelicans and that could work but I am not sure it does. Everything New Orleans does needs to cater to Zion because he is that damn good, find him a star he can play next too, Ingram could be that but if they decide he isn’t find a new one. Get guards who play defense and can shoot the ball, that is what Lonzo Ball and youngster Nickel Alexander-Walker (whom I really like) do. Bledsoe is a plus defender but struggles to shoot the ball. They need a center who can stretch the floor and shoot the ball, Steven Adams does the opposite of that. When you are lucky to land a generational talent you need to build your team around that player, and that's what the Pelicans need to do.
The Pelicans were gifted a superstar when they won the draft lottery in 2019. They were also gifted one in 2012 but they failed him and he plays for the Lakers now. This time they have a champion and a man who is very respected around the NBA running the charge. It is time that David Griffin puts all the resources they have to build a team around Zion because the clock is always on to keep him in a Pelicans uniform long term. When you are lucky enough to draft a player like Zion you need to do everything you can to keep him just ask the Cleveland Cavaliers about that one. Zion Williamson is a special player and a special person off the floor as well and when you have a talent like this you build your entire organization around that player.
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