As an entire league awaits the release of the official 2019-20 NBA regular season schedule, it’s easy to overlook the fact that the 2019 preseason slate will begin roughly two months from today. On Monday, the New Orleans Pelicans announced their five-game schedule, with first-round picks Zion Williamson, Jaxson Hayes and Nickeil Alexander-Walker expected to make their unofficial professional debuts Monday, Oct. 7 on the road against the Atlanta Hawks. That Pelicans-Hawks opener will feature a total of four top-10 picks, including Atlanta lottery selections De’Andre Hunter and Cam Reddish.
New Orleans will play the bulk of its preseason schedule on an every-other-day basis from Oct.