85 games played in three full seasons, including none last year. That is the unfortunate truth when it comes to Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans. The team has made a number of shrewd moves to build a talented roster around their budding superstar.
The only problem is, he hasn’t been able to stay on the court and that includes this preseason after he rolled his ankle.
As a result, it can be argued that no team has a wider variance of possibilities than the Pelicans this season. If Zion can stay on the court, now at 22 years of age, he could be ready to explode on the scene.
Factor in the highly talented Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum and the steady hands of Jonas Valanciunas and Larry Nance Jr. and you have a starting five that can keep up with anyone.
If they can get off to a strong start, David Griffin might just pull the trigger on some of his future draft picks to help add to a promising core. But it all starts with the health of Williamson.
New Orleans Pelicans Season Outlook:
Projected Starting Lineup: PG CJ McCollum, SG Brandon Ingram, SF Herbert Jones, PF Zion Williamson, C Jonas Valanciunas
Head coach: Willie Green
Notable Additions: None
Draft Picks: F Dyson Daniels (8th overall)
Pelicans Arena: Smoothie King Center
Pelicans NBA Schedule: NBA.com
2022-23 New Orleans Pelicans NBA Futures Odds
- Odds to win the 2023 NBA Championship: 40/1
- Odds to win the 2022-23 Western Conference: 20/1
- Odds to win the 2022-23 Southwest Division: +400
- 2022-23 Regular Season Win Total: Over 44½ (-145)
- Odds to Make the Playoffs: Yes -170 | No +130
- Official website: nba.com/pelicans
- Twitter Account : @PelicansNBA
2022-23 New Orleans Pelicans NBA Award Top Contenders
Regular Season MVP: Zion Williamson +3500
Defensive Player OTY: Herb Jones +5000
Most Improved Player: Zion Williamson +2000
Rookie OTY: Dyson Daniels +1500, E.J. Liddell +3000
Liev Jackson NBA Season Prediction on Pelicans:
The Pelicans didn’t add anyone to the roster in the offseason as they got their work done at the trade deadline when they brought in McCollum. Eighth overall pick Daniels has an enticing skill set and should already be able to make a strong impact on the second unit.
This is a team brimming with potential, with almost everyone under 30 and hoping they can get enough health to start putting it all together.
The patient rebuild is over, now it’s time to start taking off and I think the Pelicans will do just that as a surprise top-four team in the West with Williamson staying healthy enough to lead the way.
Favorite bets for the season at current odds include:
- Most Improved Player: Zion Williamson +2000
- 2022-23 Regular Season Win Total: Over 44½ (-145)
- Odds to Make the Playoffs: Yes -170
2021-22 Record: 36-46
My Record Prediction: 50-32
NBA Odds According to Bovada as of October, 2022
Bet on the New Orleans Pelicans 2022-23 Season at Bovada Sportsbook.
