Ceiling, floor for New Orleans Pelicans: Playoff bound with a healthy Zion Williamson
With a healthy Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram and a tantalizing core, the New Orleans Pelicans look to show their early season success from a year ago wasn't a fluke.
Ceiling: 45-37 as Pelicans disrupt the West with a healthy Zion Williamson
Ultimately, New Orleans' ceiling depends on the health of Williamson and Ingram. The Pelicans were 23-14 and holding down the No. 3 seed in the West before Williamson's season-ending hamstring injury last season. Ingram, meanwhile, played a career-low 45 games last season because of injuries. Nonetheless, the latter averaged a career-best 24.7 points in 2022-23.
According to The Athletic's Will Guillory, Williamson has "been really focused on making sure his body is prepared for a long season." When healthy, Williamson has proven to be one of the most dominant forwards in basketball, averaging 26.5 points over his last 90 games.
Minus trade speculation circulating about Williamson, the Pelicans had a relatively quiet offseason — which is fine for a team with one of the most talented starting fives in the NBA. C.J. McCollum is riding eight consecutive 20-plus PPG scoring seasons and forward Herbert Jones returns on a $53.8M contract. Jones has finished within the top 12 in steals in both of his NBA seasons.
If they can avoid the injury bug in 2023-24, the Pelicans have the talent to earn a playoff spot and challenge for their first series win since 2017-18.
Floor: 40-42 and on the outside looking in
While Williamson is doing everything in his power this offseason to ensure his availability come the regular season, history points to a player unable to remain on the hardwood. The former No. 1 overall pick has played in just 114 games over his four-year career.
Trey Murphy III, a career 40.6% three-point shooter, is expected to miss time this season after suffering a meniscus tear during a workout in September. New Orleans averaged the eighth-fewest made three-pointers (11) in the NBA last year.
New Orleans' starting unit should be enough to keep it in play-in contention. However, if Williamson or other key contributors miss an extended period, they'll be a long shot to advance to the postseason.
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