Lost in the flurry of NBA free agency signings and trades is the inactivity of the New Orleans Pelicans. The Pelicans have been shockingly quiet this offseason, not make any move whatsoever to improve their roster after finishing 30 games under 500.
It would be one thing if they had a loaded roster full of young talent, but that isn't the case. Sure, they have Derick Queen and Jeremiah's Fears. But, aside from that, their roster is bare on high-level lottery talent and also has a collection of random veterans.
To their credit, they still have star Zion Williamson as well as Trey Murphy III. However, Williamson is too much of an injury risk, while Murphy III may eventually be traded. It's almost as though the Pelicans are operating as though they are tanking.
Pelicans just doubled-down on the same frustrating strategy
The Pelicans are among the worst teams in the West, but they can't afford to be one of the three worst teams in the NBA. Remember, recent changes to the NBA draft lottery disincentivize tanking.
That means that if the Pelicans were to finish with one of the three worst records in the NBA, then they would actually be punished, not rewarded. As a result, they should be aiming to finish between four and 11 in the NBA standings.
That's possible, given their lack of free agency moves, but not a guarantee. Their indecision this summer calls into question their strategy going forward.
The Pelicans don't seem to have a plan for the future
The Pelicans seem to be stuck without a clear direction. For instance, they were shopping Murphy III but wanted at least three first-round picks for him. That always seemed like a pipe dream.
Good teams don't have three first-rounders to give up. Meanwhile, bad teams have no need for Murphy III. That wild trade demand was a clear miscalculation on their part.
As for Zion, his trade market seems non-existent. He did play 54 straight games at one point last season, suggesting he can string together games. The bad news is that his numbers are way down from his peak.
He isn't the same player he was before, and his trade value reflects it. With the Pelicans unable to move their two best players but seemingly unwilling to improve, they seem to be headed nowhere fast.
Add us as a preferred source on Google