This summer, the New Orleans Pelicans traded for Dejounte Murray, hoping he would be the final piece for contention. Yet, a month into the season, they find themselves at the last spot of the Western Conference. They are in a familiar spot as the Memphis Grizzlies were in last year. Should they continue to fight, or just throw in the towel on the season?
New Orleans Pelicans Have a Grizzlies-Type Decision to Make
After 17 games, the New Pelicans are 4-13, last in the Western Conference. They are the Philadelphia 76ers of the West, a team hoping to contend late in May/June before the season, but now stuck at the bottom of the standings.
Last season, the Grizzlies had a similar decision to make. Before the 2023-24 season, the Memphis Grizzlies traded for Marcus Smart, a player they hoped will improve their chances for contention. Yet, similar as the Pelicans this year, the injury-bug hit them hard, and they were never able to recover.
On the last episode of the Hoop Collective, Brian Windhorst was among the last people to suggest the Pelicans should consider this a lost season and hope for better health next season. He said,
“They are free falling in the West, I think they’re four and 13. That is the problem in the Western Conference, you know if you are 4-13. Even if get these guys back, you can play .600 basketball and maybe not be able to get to 10th at this point. So that’s the reality that they have. They’re still playing very hard you know.”
Is it Worth Sacrificing the Season?
For the Memphis Grizzlies last year, the big reward was the ninth pick of the draft, Zach Edey. The Grizzlies were able to find a player they desperately needed in what was considered a weak draft. The good news for the Grizzlies is they have their core of three star-level players in Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr. They needed a role player that will fit with them, and Edey has worked like a charm so far.
The problem with the Pelicans is they do not have a set core. Is that Zion Williamson? Brandon Ingram? Who is part of their core going forward? The Grizzlies sacrificed the season, but they allowed Jackson to develop his offensive skills. If the Pelicans do decide to not push for the playoffs, that player should be Trey Murphy III, their young and talented wing.
Can They Get a Lottery Pick?
The Pelicans have their own pick in 2025, and they also hold the rights to the Milwaukee Bucks’ pick if it falls between 1-4. Two weeks ago, it seemed like the Bucks were destined for the lottery and might be looking into some Giannis Antetokounmpo trades. Yet, with their recent play, the Bucks have shut down those rumors.
The Pelicans, on the other hand, are in a difficult position. Even if they are on a 48 win pace for the rest of the season, they will end up with 42 wins. Last year, the Houston Rockets finished with a .500 record, 41 wins and 41 loses, and ended up in the 11th spot. The Warriors were in 10th in the West with 46 wins.
The fun part is the Pelicans are the last team to make a miraculous comeback in 2021-22. They started the season 1-12, and then made it into the playoffs without Zion.
The prize pool of young talent next year is huge. But even with a high lottery pick, things are not guaranteed. Just look at the Golden State Warriors of the 2019-20 season. Due to injuries, they shut it down, and won only 15 games. Their prize was the 2nd pick in the 2020 draft. They drafted James Wiseman, a player they hoped would take over the reins after Steph Curry. But that didn’t happen.
What to do with Brandon Ingram?
The Pelicans tried to trade Ingram during the summer and failed to do so. He will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, making him less attractive for a trade during the season. The Pelicans are not certain they want to give him the max contract he desires, even more now that they have signed Murphy III to a long-term contract.
Ingram is set to hit free agency in 2025. There might not be that many teams with cap space in the summer of 2025, but that doesn’t mean the Pelicans will have an easier time re-signing him.
The biggest problem with the Pelicans right now might be they do not have a clear and defined core going forward. And Ingram is the victim of that.
What Can They do With Zion?
On the same episode of the Hoop Collective, Windhorst mentioned that the Pelicans might consider getting out of the Zion business. There are two options for that, one is to trade him, and the other is to cut him loose. When the Pelicans signed Zion to a new contract a few years ago, they added clauses that would made it easier for them to cut him loose. For example, he has to meet a weight criteria for the season. Here is what Brian mentioned,
“The preferable scenario is to trade him and get value. I think that’s going to be extremely difficult to do given his injury history and the fact that he looked far less explosive than he had been in the past and the little bit that he played this year.”
As for them cutting loose, the protections are 20% if he satisfies the weigh-in criteria during the 2024-25 season.
