Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram and other New Orleans Pelicans players to watch out for during the 2022-23 NBA season

The New Orleans Pelicans are going to be one of the most exciting teams to watch out for entering the 2022-23 season.

The New Orleans Pelicans are going to be an exciting side to watch out for during the 2022-23 season [Image-Twitter]
By Godwin Matthew | Oct 4, 2022 | 4 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

The New Orleans Pelicans have one of the most talented roster entering the 2022-23 season. Headlined by the number one overall pick from the 2019 draft Zion Williamson, the Western Conference side have high expectations coming into the campaign. They also have other stars like CJ McCollum, Brandon Ingram and Herbert Jones, who have all proven that they can help the Pelicans become a force to be reckoned with in the West.

Last season, the New Orleans Pelicans made a resurgent run in the second half of the campaign to make their way into the playoffs. They gave a tough competition to the Phoenix Suns in the first round, but the Chris Paul-led side managed to pull off a 4-2 series win. However, analysts believe that the story could be a lot different for Willie Green’s side this season. In today’s article, we take a look at the five players that are going to be key for the Pelicans during the 2022-23 season.

Zion Williamson

Zion Williamson signed a rookie max contract extension with the New Orleans Pelicans during the offseason. The young sensation missed out on the whole of last season due to a foot injury. Reports emerged that Williamson was unhappy with the franchise, but his contract extension put all of those talks to rest. Undoubtedly, he is one of the most physically dominant players in the league. Although he hasn’t been able to showcase a lot of that due to injuries, his limited appearances have been a testament to his capabilities. Going into the 2022-23 season, health will be a major priority for Zion. However, he will also be looking to give in his best and help the New Orleans Pelicans to make a deep playoff run.

Brandon Ingram

Brandon Ingram is one of the most talented forwards in the NBA. He has a stellar offensive armory and his brilliance has helped the New Orleans Pelicans get out of many tough situations. Last season the Pelicans were without Zion Williamson for the entire season. In his absence, Ingram stepped up for the team. He averaged 22.7 PPG, 5.8 RPG and 5.6 APG while shooting 46.1 % shooting from the field. The one-time All-Sar will be looking to elevate his game to the next level as the Pelicans are a side that will attract a lot of attention this season. If they are to match their expectations and do well in the playoffs, they will need Brandon Ingram to be at his best as he is a vital cog in the team.

CJ McCollum

CJ McCollum made his way to New Orleans after spending nine years as part of the Portland Trail Blazers. His arrival was what proved to be the changing factor in their resurgent run in the second half of the season. McCollum proved to be the veteran presence that the team was looking for during the last campaign. He helped the young guns in the team get better and play to the best of their capacity and all of that led to the New Orleans Pelicans becoming a team to watch out for. The Pelicans understood the value that he brought and decided to sign him to a two-year $64 million extension last week. He will be expected to continue playing at a high level and lead the young group to make a deep run in the playoffs.

Herbert Jones

Herbert Jones was one of the best rookie defenders in the league last season. He locked up some of the best players on the opposition teams and won appreciation from many across the league. Entering his sophomore season, there will be a lot of expectations from the former Alabama player. Coach Willie Green and a few other players from the Pelicans have stated that he is one of the hardest-working players on the team. Jones will be looking to transcend that work into some brilliant performances on the court this season. If he is able to deliver, the New Orleans Pelicans are going to be a tough side to beat.

Larry Nance Jr.

Larry Nance Jr. was another player who made his way to the New Orleans Pelicans team during the 2021-22 season. He had an instant impact as his work on the defensive end helped the Pelicans grab victories against the bigger teams in the league. The franchise signed him on a two-year $21.5 million deal, which will keep him on the team until the 2024-25 season. He is going to be key for the Pelicans as he can be a threat on both ends of the floor. Playing alongside players like Zion Williamson, CJ McCollum and Brandon Ingram, there isn’t much that Nance needs to do offensively. But he will have to prove to be an anchor on the defensive end as that is going to be key for the New Orleans Pelicans as the competition is going to be stacked during the 2022-23 season.