Disappointing this season, the Pelicans must bounce back in 2021-22. New mediocre results could jeopardize the future of Zion Williamson in New Orleans… According to an NBA analyst, we are heading straight for disaster in the Big Easy!
In two years with Zion Williamson in the roster, the Pelicans have not really succeeded in establishing themselves as a stronghold in the West. On the contrary, it is even rather the lowlands that the Bayou players squat, with in particular an eleventh place in 2020-21, far from the Play-In-Tournament. Not enough to raise the crowds …
The problem is, in two years, the inside star will be out of contract, and everyone agrees that he should leave Louisiana, and join a team with more pedigree. We must therefore quickly build a viable workforce around him, in order to convince him to stay. It is with this in mind that Steven Adams and Eric Bledsoe were both released, in order to free up payroll for large clients.
Unfortunately, the result is not there so far, and few players have shown interest in New Orleans … For some observers, it would be the drop too much vis-à-vis Zion. Bill Simmons, famous analyst for ESPN, in particular cracked a terrible post on Twitter concerning the subject:
The Pelicans have totally mangled the last two years and are fully on course to lose Zion some day, agent John Koktostin of CAA tells @ringer.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) August 3, 2021
The Pelicans have totally messed up the past two years and are well on their way to losing Zion one day or another, Creative Artists Agency agent John Koktostin told The Ringer.
Remember that the CAA is none other than the agency representing the young player, which makes Koktostin a fairly reliable source. And he is not particularly wrong… On top of that, the free agency hardly goes as planned. Instead of getting Kyle Lowry back, the Pels signed… Devonte ‘Graham. Not exactly the same standard!
Under these conditions, it’s hard to imagine Duke’s former staying beyond his rookie lease. Rumors have been going around for a long time that he never wanted to go to NOLA, and they are unlikely to abate in the coming months. Two years later Anthony Davis, fans should expect to lose another superstar …
It smells bad for the Pelicans, who should pay for their disappointing performances off the field. it’s already hard for a small market to keep a star, but if the results don’t follow, it quickly becomes impossible …
