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The New Orleans Pelicans were deemed an afterthought this season. Zion Williamson missing the entire season and a general lack of competitive fire from everyone led to the team languishing at the bottom of the Western Conference. The countless rumors that surrounded Williamson simply added fuel to a growing dumpster fire.
However, an unlikely fireman came in to save the Pelicans' season: CJ McCollum. The former All-Star guard was traded from the Blazers in exchange for Josh Hart, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and other assets. Since that trade deadline deal, NOLA has been on fire, only recently getting humbled by Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets.
Despite choking away a chance at a five-game win streak, there are plenty of reasons for fans to be excited for the Pelicans when Zion Williamson returns. Let's talk about them.
2 reasons the Pelicans are stealth contenders in the West when Zion Williamson comes back
CJ McCollum is the missing link for Zion
When he was healthy, Zion Williamson was easily the best player of the Pelicans. The former first-overall pick had an insane mix of athleticism and touch that made him dangerous inside the mind. We mostly know Zion from his adrenaline-infused mixtapes, but in the NBA, he's showing that he can get it done with a little finesse.
The issue with playing Zion, though, is that teams can crowd the paint when they're playing the Pelicans. No matter how great Williamson's hands are around the rim, if there are multiple people to contest him, it will be difficult for him. For the team to unlock his full potential, they needed someone to take away attention from Williamson.
Enter CJ McCollum. The Pelicans guard gave way for Damian Lillard during his time with the Trail Blazers. However, he's always shown that he has the capability to be a lead guard in an offense. With NOLA, McCollum has been given the green light to run the offense, and he's done so incredibly.
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Having McCollum, a true threat from all three levels, handle the rock will inherently make Williamson harder to guard. That alone will make them a dangerous matchup for any Western Conference team.
The Pelicans are solid even without Zion
The main reason we're talking about the Pelicans, though, is their ability to get it done even without their lead star. Zion's supporting cast is incredibly underrated, with a bevy of players who are able to fill multiple roles on offense when needed.
Jonas Valanciunas is having a renaissance in New Orleans. The former Raptors lottery pick retained his solid back-to-basket game, but he has also added a consistent three-point shot to his arsenal. His improvements on defense make him a perfect fit for Williamson, who can be lacking on that side of the ball.
Herbert Jones has been a pleasant surprise for the Pelicans this season as well. Despite standing at 6-8, Jones' defensive versatility has come in clutch for a team that's light on defensive pieces. A small-ball lineup with him and Zion at the 5 will be interesting to watch.
Of course, there's Brandon Ingram as well. Despite not making the All-Star game this year, the Pelicans forward has been having a quietly solid season, averaging over 22 points per game. His ability to create for himself and his teammates will be important in easing the load off of Williamson.
There are other interesting pieces within the Pelicans roster. Jose Alvarado has been more than a feel-good story for fans, providing a much-needed spark. Larry Nance Jr. and Tony Snell, who came with McCollum from Portland, are solid defensive-minded pieces.
These aren't the same Pelicans from earlier this season. If they are able to keep this up once Zion returns (and that may come sooner than other West contenders want), they'll be an easy favorite for a potential upset.
