New Orleans Pelicans: Sellers
Week 13: 1-2
Offense: (115.5) 7th
Defense: (115.7) 28th
Net: (Minus -0.2) 18th
Through their last 20 games, the Pelicans are 8-12. Although there are matches that stand out in this schedule segment like wins against the Celtics, Clippers, and Nuggets, there are confounding losses to teams they have more talent then.
The 28th ranked defense hasn’t witnessed any improvement which is unfathomable with Stan Van Gundy’s coaching and the talent on paper.
Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram are locked in as the cornerstones of the franchise but it seems the front office is already moving on from some of its other young talents.
It was expected that J.J. Redick would be earmarked to be traded or bought out. However, the news Lonzo Ball is being shopped surprised.
Beyond Lowry, Sixers have shown interest in other guards available in the marketplace -- including Powell, Lonzo Ball and George Hill, sources said.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 24, 2021
GM David Griffin does want to give Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s cousin Nickeil Alexander-Walker more run at the point. Ultimately it seems this decision is based more on salary.
Ball has progressed this season, particularly in his shooting efficiency. That the 76ers have interest also points to them not wanting to ante up for the Lowry sweepstakes but in Ball, they won’t get the same level of experience. Yet, the fit beside Ben Simmons would be intriguing.