The New Orleans Pelicans have one of the brightest futures in the NBA with their young duo of Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram. What it comes down to now is how they build around those guys going forward.
While they did trade Jrue Holiday this offseason, they did receive an incredible amount of future draft capital in return. Along with several other key additions over the past few weeks, the build around Zion and Ingram is off to a good start.
Pelicans Roster Additions
| Player | Transaction |
| Kira Lewis Jr. | Draft (13th) |
| Wenyen Gabriel | Free Agency (POR) |
| Willy Hernangomez | Free Agency (CHA) |
| Will Magnay | Free Agent (INTL) |
| Naji Marshall | Free Agent (UDFA) |
| Steven Adams | Trade (OKC) |
| Eric Bledsoe | Trade (MIL) |
Biggest Acquisitions
- Steven Adams: While he doesn’t have a flashy game by any means, Adams flat out gets the job done. One of the most powerful screen setters and best offensive rebounders in the game, he will be a great compliment next to Williamson in the frontcourt. New Orleans was able to extend Adams on a two-year deal shortly after trading for him.
- Kira Lewis Jr.: Don’t let the fact that Lewis was taken with the very last pick in the lottery make you think he is any less talented than the guys taken in front of him. During his time at Alabama, he was one of the most explosive, speedy guards in the entire country. He’s got a real chance to be a starting guard for this team for a long time.
Pelicans Roster Subtractions
| Player | Transaction |
| Frank Jackson | Free Agency (OKC) |
| Derrick Favors | Free Agency (UTA) |
| Jahlil Okafor | Free Agency (DET) |
| E’Twaun Moore | Free Agency (PHX) |
| Darius Miller | Trade (OKC) |
| Josh Gray | Trade (OKC) |
| Jrue Holiday | Trade (MIL) |
| Kenrich Williams | Trade (OKC) |
| Zylan Cheatham | Trade (OKC) |
Biggest Losses
- Jrue Holiday: After spending the past seven years with the Pelicans, Jrue Holiday will officially be gone in the upcoming season. One of the best two-way guards in the entire NBA, there will be a huge void to fill.
- Derrick Favors: He didn’t have the best year of his career in New Orleans last season, but Favors was still an important piece of the roster. With him departing in free agency, acquiring Adams to fill his spot was an important move.
