New Orleans Pelicans: Starting lineup locks, fringe, and potential break-ins

Fringe options for the starting lineup

Lonzo Ball, Eric Bledsoe, J.J. Redick, Josh Hart

With the frontcourt set, the New Orleans Pelicans have plenty of options in the backcourt, but no sure things. Last year Lonzo Ball was close to that sure thing, starting 54 of the 63 games he played in. He is a good team defender who brings brilliant passing and improving catch-and-shoot ability alongside his lackluster game inside the arc. He still has upside, and even if he stagnates has already developed great chemistry with Zion Williamson.

The reason Ball might not start is that the team brought in Eric Bledsoe as part of the Jrue Holiday trade. Bledsoe is one of the league’s best on-ball guard defenders, nearly impossible to dislodge with a screen. While he has struggled in the postseason he has been an excellent regular season player, and his 34.4 percent from deep isn’t bad enough to kick him to the bench unnecessarily.

If Bledsoe starts, his defensive tenacity may make it easier to start J.J. Redick alongside him. At age 36 he cannot handle the minutes load that he has in past seasons, but he is still the team’s best shooter and, as he proved in the NBA Bubble, can still score with the ball in his hands in addition to his superb off-ball movement.

If the team keeps Redick on the bench, as they did much of last season, they can either pair Ball and Bledsoe in the backcourt, or look for more size and place Josh Hart alongside one of the two. Technically Ball is taller than Hart at 6’6″, but Hart is strong and can handle wings better than Ball. He has enough ball-handling skill to attack closeouts and fits perfectly as a team’s fourth or fifth offensive option. Likely, head coach Stan Van Gundy will mix-and-match his backcourt candidates to find the fit he likes the most.