The New Orleans Pelicans undoubtedly have a bright future ahead, and it doesn't look like they have to make major moves to catapult the franchise into playoff and, eventually, title contention.
New Orleans was in 10th place in the Western Conference standings before the season was suspended due to COVID-19. After 2019 No. 1 overall pick Zion Williamson made his NBA debut, the Pelicans became a force on offense and were one of the most enjoyable teams to watch in the league.
Zion averaged 23.6 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists for the Pelicans. He also meshed well with the team's incredibly talented young core of Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, and Jaxson Hayes.
Now, with New Orleans looking primed to take the next step in their development, they only need to do one simple thing: keep their young core and let them develop chemistry.
With that said, the first order of business this offseason for Pelicans executive vice president David Griffin is to re-sign Brandon Ingram, who will become a restricted free agent. In his first season with New Orleans, Ingram made his first All-Star team, established himself as one of the best young scorers in the NBA, and set himself up for a nice payday.
Ingram officially becomes a restricted free agent when the Pelicans offer him his qualifying offer worth $9.5 million. Multiple reports have said New Orleans is expected to match any offer Ingram receives, but you can never be certain until Ingram and the Pels agree to a deal.
B.I. was averaging 24.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists for the Pelicans in 2019-20 before the season was put to a halt. The 22-year-old swingman was also shooting 46.6 percent from the field, 38.7 percent from beyond the arc, and 85.8 percent from the free-throw line in 34.3 minutes per game.
The Pelicans' frontcourt of Williamson, Ingram, and Hayes has the potential the dominate the NBA for the next decade or so assuming all three athletes stay healthy. Ingram can score from all three areas of the floor and his length makes it almost impossible for opposing defenders to block his shot.
New Orleans was averaging 116.2 points per game before the season was suspended. They were the fifth-highest scoring team in the league. Most of the Pelicans' issues were on the defensive side of the ball, as the team was giving up 117.0 points a night — 27th out of 30 in the NBA.
Griffin would be wise to re-sign Ingram quickly and then focus his attention on signing a defensive big man who can help the Pelicans on the boards and stop other teams from scoring so easily.
Internally, the Pelicans believe they would have been a surefire playoff team this season if Williamson had suited up from day one. The club went 10-9 in the 19 games Williamson played in. Zion and Ingram also became one of the deadliest duos in the league, putting up 47.9 points per game as a tandem.
Ingram and Williamson are only going to get better over time. Once they hit their primes in four or five years, New Orleans will arguably have the two best forwards in the NBA since guys like LeBron James and Kevin Durant will be older — even out of the league possibly.
Griffin and the Pelicans shouldn't even let Ingram take a meeting with another team. Once the 2020 free agency period starts, New Orleans should have a max contract ready for Ingram to sign. He's going to be a multi-time All-Star and one of the faces of the NBA for the next decade. After all, he has the talent and work ethic to make that possible.
Follow Us
Subscribe