NBA Notes: Pelicans, Zion Williamson, Rockets, Josh Okogie, Mavericks

Pelicans

The season couldn’t have started much worse for the Pelicans. Zion Williamson (hamstring) is sidelined again and head coach Willie Green’s job appears to be hanging by a thread, as written by The Athletic’s William Guillory.

Even when relatively healthy, things haven’t clicked. The trio of Williamson, Trey Murphy III, and Herbert Jones owns a net rating of -11.3 in their 75 minutes together, a far cry from the balanced, two-way lineup New Orleans envisioned.

There have been a few encouraging signs, though. Rookie guards Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen have given the Pelicans something to build on.

Fears’ pace, pick-and-roll vision, and confidence in the open court have stood out, while Queen has quietly provided steady interior scoring, averaging double figures in each of his last four games despite playing just over 23 minutes a night.

Offseason addition Saddiq Bey has also been a pleasant surprise. Acquired from Washington in the CJ McCollum trade, Bey has outperformed fellow newcomer Jordan Poole so far, showing more consistency as he works his way back from ACL surgery.

At any rate, the schedule offers no favors. New Orleans begins a five-game homestand featuring the Lakers, Warriors, Thunder, and Nuggets.

So things could very well stay just as bad, or get worse, before they get better.

Rockets

Amid a headline-grabbing offseason that brought in Kevin Durant, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Clint Capela, the Rockets’ quiet signing of Josh Okogie is paying off in a big way.

Okogie has started seven of nine games, and Houston is 6-1 when he’s in the first unit. “He has the same DNA as the guys we brought in initially,” coach Ime Udoka said, via Danielle Lerner of The Houston Chronicle. “His defensive versatility, offensive rebounding, and ability to knock down shots — it’s what we need at that position.”

Udoka also praised Okogie’s fit alongside the Rockets’ young guards, saying his energy “takes the pressure off Amen Thompson” and gives Houston valuable lineup flexibility.

Mavericks

With Nico Harrison gone, the Mavericks’ front office is now in the hands of Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi, at least for now.

The Third Apron’s Yossi Gozlan writes that while trades involving Anthony Davis or Kyrie Irving could eventually surface, any major roster shakeup is likely weeks away.

Meanwhile, The Dallas Morning News’ Brad Townsend notes that the interim duo inherits a tricky roster — with few draft assets, several underperforming veterans, and a franchise trying to stabilize after a chaotic week.