New Orleans Pelicans: Two breakout players that can take elevate Pels
By Jason Reed
The New Orleans Pelicans have a young and exciting roster that is full of legitimately talented players and still will end up with some breakout stars.
The New Orleans Pelicans are going to be one of the most interesting teams to watch during the NBA season this year because of all of the young talent on the roster as well as how it all pieces together.
The team is in a truly great situation where they can be successful in year one but are setting themselves up for a future that could be scary good. If the Pelicans play their cards right with their youth and their assets then the team could absolutely win a title by 2025.
We are already expecting the big-name young stars to take a step forward and be huge assets to the Pelicans. Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson are the three new youngsters that come to mind.
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The team also has some established veterans as well in J.J. Redick, Jrue Holiday and Derrick Favors, all of which can not only produce at a great rate but can take these guys under their wings.
With all of this going on, it may not appear as if the Pelicans will have any sort of breakout star that we did not expect. However, the Pelicans absolutely can have one and may end up with two that will completely elevate the team to another level.
The first being Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Alexander-Walker is a prime candidate to end up being much better than the position he was drafted in and showed some legitimate signs of being ready to contribute in the Pelicans’ first preseason games.
Granted, it is just the preseason, but Alexander-Walker looked really good. His shooting stroke was as clean and crisp as it gets and he looked like a polished NBA player. Having two years of college under his belt is going to help that.
This helps the team as it gives them more depth at the two-guard. They already have Redick and Josh Hart ready to fill in as the second unit backcourt but adding Alexander-Walker to that equation is no problem. The lengthy two-guard could absolutely play some three in a small-ball lineup to provide some floor spacing.
And hey, chances are that he gets better and better as rookies often do in their first year and end up playing a more prominent role than we anticipated.
The other potential breakout for the New Orleans Pelicans is Jahlil Okafor. First and foremost, Okafor looked great in that preseason opener with five offensive rebounds and an efficient 4-6 game.
Okafor is someone who was just recently taken with the third-overall pick, so there is no denying that there is talent there. If Okafor can be a more consistent anchor, as we were in the opener, then he gives the Pelicans much-needed size at the center position.
Derrick Favors does not have the size to be the primary center and Jaxson Hayes is still green. With a breakout showing, Okafor will finally start realizing that potential that we all pinned onto him entering the league.
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This gives the Pelicans more depth at the two and three while also ensuring that they have the proper players to deploy in the frontcourt for bigger lineup situations. This takes the team to a new level.