While attempting to get New Orleans back into the NBA playoffs during his debut season as head coach, Willie Green has two recent All-Star forwards at his disposal; a pair of key veteran additions who were instrumental to team success at their previous stops in Memphis and Charlotte; and a handful of recent first-round draft picks.
Green’s roster also features an undrafted, 6-foot-7 forward who spent the middle of last season in the G League on a two-way contract, but over a mere six-month span, went from fan and media afterthought to a highly-valued role player. Naji Marshall’s NBA future was uncertain when he wasn’t selected in the 2020 draft, but he’s now spoken of in lofty terms by the Pelicans.