David Griffin has rebuilt the New Orleans Pelicans in less than a summer. His efforts have been so successful that Zion Williamson will have playoff expectations in his rookie season. Now that the Houston Rockets have traded for Oklahoma City Thunder legend Russell Westbrook, the Pelicans path to the playoffs will be all the more difficult.
The recent moves trades for stars by Western Conference teams should alleviate the pressures of making the playoffs next season. In turn, that should relieve some of the massive expectations being placed on Zion Williamson.
Make no doubt, the New Orleans Pelicans are plenty capable of earning a playoff appearance.