The New Orleans Pelicans yet again shook things up in the offseason, but the net result is that they got a little younger and freed up minutes for their younger players. They might be trying hard to push for the playoffs, but they are also providing space for their youth to develop. One or both of Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Kira Lewis Jr. could start, and there will be more minutes for Jaxson Hayes and Josh Hart this season.
The Pelicans’ first-round pick has been spitting fire this offseason, hitting 12 of his 19 3-pointers through two games. That bodes well for his ability to be a rotation piece from the jump. On the pessimistic side, Zion Williamson is again hurt and may miss the start of the season recovering from foot surgery. That uncertainty is enough to bump them down a couple of spots this week.
Breakout Player: Nickeil Alexander-Walker. The third-year combo guard out of Virginia Tech is the best bet in the backcourt to start, as he brings size (6’6″) and some defensive ability, a rarity in the starting lineup ever since Jrue Holiday was traded. He looked like one of Canada’s best players in men’s Olympic Qualifiers this past summer and can take advantage of the new role and minutes allotment to make his mark.