Pelicans Navigating Thin Line Between Playoff Push And Tank Zone Temptation

December 7, 2024

The Pelicans, a team that rival front offices once pegged as a bona fide contender this season, now look more like a case study in “What could go wrong next?”

Trey Murphy III tweaked his hamstring six minutes into the first preseason game, and, well, it’s been all downhill from there.

Voodoo curse? Fragile roster? Take your pick, but the result’s the same. A strong roster on paper, snakebitten by the soft-tissue gods.

And yet, here we are. Even after a gritty win over the Suns, New Orleans sits a full seven games out of the Play-In picture. Not great.

Could they get healthier and make a push? Sure. But realistically, they’re teetering dangerously close to Tank Zone territory — a place filled with heartbreak but also the sweet allure of lottery dreams.

Don’t expect Willie Green to take the fall for this, either. Despite whispers across the league questioning his job security, ownership has a reputation for sticking with their guys.

“Loyal to their people,” as one New Orleans insider put it to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line. For better or worse, that bench isn’t changing anytime soon.

If there’s one bright spot, it’s rookie Yves Missi. The No. 21 pick from Baylor has been thrown into the fire, starting 16 of his first 22 games. Turns out, he’s soaking it all up like a sponge. New Orleans folks can’t stop raving about his quick progression.

Sound familiar? Yeah, it’s giving major Dereck Lively II vibes from last year in Dallas. Now, are the Pels thrilled about the circumstances forcing Missi into this much action? No. But he’s here, he’s learning, and there’s no turning back now.

Still, word is the Pelicans aren’t satisfied with their frontcourt depth. They’re reportedly shopping for someone to bring consistency — maybe even a little big-man shooting to cover for what Daniel Theis can’t provide. No need to rush, though. If this season’s already a wash, they’ve got time to figure it out.

And here’s where it gets spicy: Imagine if this summer sparks a Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes. Guess which team has three years’ worth of Bucks draft capital? Yep, the Pelicans. They control Milwaukee’s first-rounders through 2027, all thanks to the Jrue Holiday deal.

That’s the type of trade ammo that could make even Milwaukee blink. So while this season might feel cursed, the Pelicans could be sitting on a lottery ticket of a different kind.