Last season: 36-46 (lost in the first round); 19th in offense, 20th in defenseKey additions: NoneKey subtractions: SF Tony SnellDraft picks: PG Dyson Daniels (eighth), EJ Liddell (41st), Karlo Matković (52nd)
Is this the year the New Orleans Pelicans finally stop disappointing us? Since drafting Zion Williamson in 2019, it’s become an NBA pastime to talk up the Pelicans heading into the season, only to watch them begin the year 6-17 while ranked 29th in defense.
This time around, however, there are more reasons for optimism. Let’s start with the fact that the 2021-22 campaign concluded with some genuine on-court success. The Pelicans got off to their usual slow start (3-16) but slowly gained steam from there, finishing with a respectable-enough 36 wins. They replaced an ineffective opening-day backcourt, knocked off the San Antonio Spurs and LA Clippers in the Play-In (with a big outside assist, but still) and fought a 64-win Phoenix Suns team through six tough games before succumbing.
New Orleans did all that without Williamson playing a game, which is either a huge reason to believe in the Pels this season or a harbinger of what’s to come on his five-year max extension. Williamson
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