![]() McCollum gives the Pelicans another dynamic offensive player in addition to Ingram, not to mention the shooting ability of Devonte' Graham, Garrett Temple and others. In 36 games this season, McCollum is averaging 20.5 points, 4.5 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 3.1 three-pointers made per contest, while shooting 43.6 percent from the field and 38.4 percent from beyond the arc. While the 30-year-old McCollum has never been selected to an All-Star Game, he has averaged at least 20 points and 2.0 three-pointers made per game in six consecutive seasons and is on pace to make it seven. Still, it is hard to not be excited about the Pelicans' future now that McCollum is part of a core that already included Williamson, Ingram and Jonas Valanciunas, among others. Ingram was an All-Star for the first time two seasons ago and has developed into a quality offensive player, but Ball and Hart are both gone, and Williamson hasn't played at all this season because of a foot injury. The Pelicans have missed the playoffs in each of the past three seasons, last making it in 2017-18, which was Anthony Davis' second-to-last season with the franchise.Ī quick turnaround was expected after the Davis trade, as the Pels landed Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Hart and draft picks in the deal, plus they won the lottery for the No. Prior to the McCollum trade, the Blazers already dealt Norman Powell and Robert Covington to the Los Angeles Clippers last week for Eric Bledsoe, Justise Winslow, Keon Johnson and a 2025 second-round draft pick. He’s the most interesting player on this team and he determines New Orleans’ ceiling.New Orleans is just a half-game up on the Blazers, but Portland seems to be stripping down its roster and trading off its top assets aside from Lillard. Fantasy managers who take Williamson could get a player who finishes the year as a top-10 guy or someone who hobbles through injuries and ranks in the middle of the pack. That is superstar-level production, but there is concern about further injuries given his physical build. The star averaged 27.0 points per game over 61 contests in the 2020-21 season. Williamson’s injury situation appears to be cleared up. Fantasy basketball player to watch: Zion Williamson ![]() Devonte’ Graham could come in as the point guard, but New Orleans opting to go big with Jones at the small forward spot and Valanciunas in the middle to start the year seems likely. McCollum, Ingram and Williamson are locked into their roles. However, the Pelicans like Herbert Jones a lot. This is a tough call because Jonas Valanciunas has been a strong producer for years. If that is all that happens, the season will be viewed as a success. If Williamson is able to stay healthy, the Pelicans likely expect to win a playoff series. Given the hype around last year’s playoff run, there might be some outlandish thoughts on the ceiling for this team. ![]() New Orleans is eventually going to have to make some tough calls but for now, everything is solid with this lineup. The Pelicans lost some fringe players in free agency but no one who would really hamper the rotation. Nevertheless, he’s one to watch for the future. Daniels is a high-upside guard who likely won’t crack the rotation in a big way this year. Liddell, but he’s out for the year after an injury in Summer League play. New Orleans Pelicans 2022-23 Outlook Key additions: Dyson Daniels Zion Williamson is returning after missing all of last season, so the Pelicans believe they can make a bigger leap than many anticipate. Here we take a look at the New Orleans Pelicans, who hope to use last season’s playoff run as a springboard to something better. ![]() DK Nation will be going through all 30 teams ahead of the season, looking at how the roster shapes up for the 2022-23 campaign. ![]()
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