New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans signed 29-year old Evan Fournier to a 3-year deal with $41.95M.
NBA Summer League Schedule
OCT 4 – Pelicans vs Trail Blazers, W 98-90
OCT 5 – Pelicans vs Wizards, W 105-97
OCT 8 – Pelicans at Suns, L 120-117
The Pelicans finished 2-1 in the Southwest Division and advanced to the first round of the Summer League Tournament as the 16th seed. 2nd-year PG Kira Lewis Jr and 2019, 17th pick overall SG/PG Nickeil Alexander-Walker finished averaging 14.7 points per game each. New Orleans’ 202113th overall pick SG J.T. Haywood averaged 10.3 PPG. Center Jaxson Hayes led rebounding (9.0 RPG).
AROUND THE LEAGUE (3 GMS)
1 Pistons – SF Danny Snow, Maryland — 23.7 MPG, 7.3 PPG, 2.7 TPG, 6.0 FGA PG
2 Thunder – SF Theodore Riley, USC — 24.0 MPG, 10.0 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 9.0 FGA PG, .444 FG%
3 Knicks – SF Eugene Justice, Louisville — 22.3 MPG, 13.3 PPG, 3.7 DRPG, 10.3 FGAA PG, .516 FG%
4 Warriors – PG Rob Floyd, Air Force (Later traded Floyd to Jazz) — 23.0 MPG, 10.0 PPG
6 Spurs – C Evan Perry, North Carolina State — 25.3 MPG, 11.0 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 10.3 FGA PG, .387 FG%
9 Wizards – C Jeremy Fletcher, Virginia Tech — 15.3 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 11.3 FGA PG, .618 FG%
Overall: 76 / Ceiling: Jimmy Butler (All-NBA) / Floor: Kerry Kittles (Starter)
Strengths: Knows how to distribute the ball to teammates regularly. Has good anticipation when trying to force turnovers. Can create his own shot at the next level.
Weaknesses: A bit of a black hole when he has the ball. Needs to pass more.
Potential: B+
2020-21 TEAM RANKINGS
ORTG: 114.4 (10th)
DRTG: 109.7 (1st)
REB: 49.7 (10th)
TOPG: 13.3 (4th)
PIP: 50.5 (1st)
BENCH: 36.3 PPG (22nd)
PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP
PG Lonzo Ball, SG Eric Bledsoe, SF Brandon Ingram, PF Zion Williamson, C Steven Adams
BENCH
SG/SF Evan Fournier (6th man), SF Josh Hart, PG Kira Lewis, Jr, C Jayson Hayes, PF Nikola Melli, SF Kent Bazemore
The Pelicans 1st-round draft pick, SG J.T. Haywood, will begin the season with the G-League affiliate. The organization hopes to see their prospect grow his skills. They hope he will be closer to his ceiling (Jimmy Butler) and not his floor (Kerry Kittles).
New Orleans wasn’t sad to see Khawi Leonard pack his bags for New York in the Eastern Conference. After all, with an injured hip, Leornard knocked the Pelicans out of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs last season.
Memphis was all they were cracked up to be, and the Los Angeles Lakers lost Montrelz Harrell to free agency after trading away Kyle Kuzma in the regular season. Dallas improve with the addition of DeMar DeRozan and the Warriors remain intact and include last season’s Rookie of the Year C James Weisman.
PROJECTED FINISH: 3rd place in the West
AROUND THE NBA
NBA Draft Summary
Wrap-up of season rankings, standings, player stats