The New Orleans Pelicans have a deep team and reasonable playoff aspirations. Last season, Alvin Gentry stuck to an eight-man rotation, even in an Opening Night blowout. Gentry will have to show trust in the team’s depth to really get value from the back end of the roster.
The Pelicans top six players can run with most of the other top teams. Jrue Holiday and Lonzo Ball already are getting tagged as the best defensive backcourt in the league. Derrick Favors could easily be a top ten center, now that he is getting starters minutes.
JJ Redick showed faith in the team when he could have easily found other suiters.