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3 reasons the New Orleans Pelicans are trending upward

By Luke Duffy

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - FEBRUARY 17: CJ McCollum #3 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts against the Dallas Mavericks during a game at the Smoothie King Center on February 17, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - FEBRUARY 17: CJ McCollum #3 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts against the Dallas Mavericks during a game at the Smoothie King Center on February 17, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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3 reasons the New Orleans Pelicans are trending upward
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE – MARCH 08: Herbert Jones #5 of the New Orleans Pelicans controls the ball against Kyle Anderson #1 of the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum on March 08, 2022 in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that , by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images) /

3 reasons the New Orleans Pelicans are trending upward: 2. Herbert Jones

Rookie Herbert Jones has been excellent for the Pelicans this season but is being used here as a personification of the franchise turning a corner in one key area that will be hugely beneficial to them in the future. Jones should make an All-Rookie team, and his defensive instincts have been brilliant for a Pelicans organization that needs all the help they can get on that end.

If you watch Jones on the court, he just gets it. Never does too much with the ball, makes the right play often, and isn’t trying to take over next to McCollum and All-Star Brandon Ingram. That’s why his basic numbers don’t jump out at you, and this is something that isn’t likely to change in the coming months either.

But at 23, Jones represents something that the Pelicans have not gotten right in a long time – drafting well outside of the lottery. Or in many ways, drafting well outside of the first overall pick. Since taking Williamson number one in 2019, this is who the Pelicans have selected.

  • Alen Smailagic (second round, traded to Golden State Warriors)
  • Jordan Bone (second round)
  • Kira Lewis Jr. (lottery pick)
  • Elijah Hughes (second round, traded to Jazz)
  • Nick Richard (second round, traded to Charlotte Hornets)
  • Sam Merrill (second round, traded to Milwaukee Bucks)
  • Ziaire Williams (lottery pick, traded to Grizzlies)

That is an ugly list. The team’s two lottery picks since taking Williamson have been bad. In the years between taking Davis and Williamson first overall, the best two players they got were Buddy Hield and Austin Rivers.

Jones represents a shift in the ability of the organization to draft. Right now, he’s looking like a Mikal Bridges type for a future playoff outfit, and that is huge for the development of the franchise.

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