The New Orleans Pelicans are coming off another playoffs-less season after finishing 2020-21 with a record of 31-41 for 11th in the Western Conference. However, the Pels made some questionable moves in the offseason and might miss the playoffs again in 2021-22.
Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram are the stars of the team, but they need better surrounding talent. Their best addition of the offseason was trading for Jonas Valanciunas, who should complement Williamson's game perfectly as a floor spacer at the center position. The Pelicans were also able to re-sign Josh Hart to a three-year, $38 million deal, and he is expected to be a great role player for New Orleans.
While these moves were great, most of the others were underwhelming.
They brought in Devonte' Graham through a sign-and-trade deal. Graham is a solid young player, but they missed out on their top point guard target. Despite offering more money than the Miami Heat, Kyle Lowry did not sign with the Pelicans. They also missed out on Chris Paul, who resigned with the Phoenix Suns.
Another free agency move the Pelicans made was re-signing Willy Hernangomez to a three-year deal. Hernangomez will be a backup big for the Pelicans, which is the same role he played last season. They also brought in Garrett Temple, who could be a decent depth piece.
In the draft, the Pelicans got Trey Murphy III, who could become a piece of the young core. Other than that, they didn't have any notable moves.
It was a very disappointing offseason to say the least, and it will be hard for the Pelicans to make the playoffs. They are in a tough Western Conference and simply don't have the talent to compete.
Pelicans' Offseason Grade: C
The Pelicans roster as a whole is decent, but they need to make upgrades to compete. As it stands, New Orleans has two All-Star players that will need to lead the team.
Last season, Ingram averaged 23.8 points per game along with 4.9 rebounds and 4.9 assists. He also shot an efficient 38.1 percent from behind the arc on 6.1 attempts per game. Ingram pairs nicely with Williamson, but they need to work on adding more pieces.
Last season, Williamson averaged 27.0 points per game along with 7.2 rebounds. Williamson was efficient from the field at 61.1 percent, proving why he was the no.1 pick a few years ago. The Pelicans certainly need to build around him, but they need to prioritize getting a better roster around him or they could lose the athletic forward.
As mentioned, one of the new additions to the team will be a key piece. Valanciunas is primed to add a new offensive dynamic and space the floor for Williamson. Last season, the Lithuanian big averaged 17.1 points per game along with 12.5 rebounds. He also shot 36.8 percent from three, which is a great percentage for a center. He is surely a welcome addition to the Pelicans, though his presence might be enough to truly elevate the team.
With all that being said, the Pelicans didn't do enough in the offseason. They will have a tough fight in their bid to make the playoffs with their current roster.
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