Jake Madison here, the host of the daily Locked On Pelicans podcast, with your daily Locked On Pelicans newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Pelicans and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
New Orleans Pelicans’ Season Strategy: Play-In or Tank?
Photo by Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
As the New Orleans Pelicans navigate a challenging season, the question on everyone’s mind is whether to push for the play-in tournament or pivot towards tanking. With a current record of 4-15, the odds of making the playoffs seem daunting. To secure the 10th seed, projections suggest the Pelicans need 46 wins, requiring a 66% winning rate for the remainder of the season. Given the team’s current form and injury woes, this seems a tall order.
The Case for Tanking
The Pelicans face a strategic decision: continue striving for a playoff spot or embrace tanking to secure a high draft pick. The latter might be a smart move, considering the team’s current standing and the competitive advantage of tanking early. By trading away key players and shutting down others, the Pelicans could position themselves for a top draft pick, potentially landing a game-changing talent.
Tanking isn’t just about losing games; it’s about making strategic moves to improve long-term prospects. Trading players like CJ McCollum or Brandon Ingram could help the team avoid the luxury tax and gain valuable draft assets. The risk, however, is finding suitable trade partners before other teams with similar intentions snap them up.
Navigating the Middle Ground
The worst position for any NBA team is being stuck in the middle—neither a playoff contender nor a bottom-tier team with a high draft pick. For the Pelicans, this no man’s land offers little benefit. The team must decide whether to aim for a competitive edge by tanking now or risk being left in mediocrity.
The financial implications of tanking are significant, especially for a small-market team like New Orleans. The Pelicans recently switched from Bally’s to an over-the-air partnership with Gray TV, impacting their revenue streams. While tanking might hurt short-term financials, it could pay off in the long run by securing a top draft pick and building a stronger team for the future.
Ultimately, the decision to tank or compete will shape the Pelicans’ future. With injuries plaguing the roster and a challenging path to the playoffs, the team must weigh the benefits of securing a high draft pick against the desire to remain competitive. For more insights and a deeper dive into the Pelicans’ strategic decisions, tune into the Locked On Pelicans podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Pelicans Podcast:
- The impact of injuries on the Pelicans’ season
- Potential trade scenarios for New Orleans
- Analysis of the Pelicans’ current roster dynamics
- Financial considerations for small-market teams
- The role of coaching in navigating a challenging season
Nov 27, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) reacts to a call against the Sacramento Kings in the third quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images | Brad Rempel/Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
Anthony Edwards went off on Wednesday night, and it wasn’t in the game.
The Timberwolves star had a lot of frustration to share after Minnesota lost to the Kings, and tallied their fourth straight loss in a row.
“We thought defense was our identity, and it’s not looking like that,” Edwards said in the locker room. “Our identity right now, me and Mike [Conley] was talking about it, I think is we soft as hell as a team, internally. Not to the other team, but like internally we soft, like we can’t talk to each other. Just a bunch of little kids, just like we playing with a bunch of little kids. Like everybody, like the whole team, we just can’t talk to each other and we gotta figure it out, man, because we can’t go down this road.”
He spoke at length, not holding much back, but the most interesting flag came in Edwards comments about the team as a whole. He noted that everyone on the team had their “own agenda”, which made it particularly difficult for him, as the de facto leader, to get them on the same page. Wolves beat reporter for the Star Tribune, Chris Hine, said Edwards lamented the team was “growing apart”, partly because it felt so difficult to have honest conversations with teammates.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Biz Former Timberwolves GM and current president of Paris Basketball David Kahn predicts the NBA will be in Europe “within two years” (EuroHoops)
Must Read The Pelicans’ embarrassing loss to the Raptors should serve as a crucial wake-up call for the team. The lackluster performance raises significant concerns about their current form. (NOLA.com)
LaMelo Ball Is Out On Friday - What Are The Fantasy Basketball Implications?
Nov 27, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) reacts after scoring a three point basket during the first half against the Miami Heat at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images | Sam Sharpe/Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images
As we gear up for a packed NBA schedule, it’s crucial to stay ahead of the game with the latest injury updates and strategic streaming options. With ten games on the horizon, there’s plenty to consider for your fantasy basketball lineup.
Injury Updates and Streaming Strategies
The New York Knicks and Charlotte Hornets face off in an early game, and the injury report has thrown a few curveballs. Precious Achiuwa and Mitchell Robinson are out for the Knicks, while the Hornets are missing key players like Mark Williams, Nick Richards, and Miles Bridges. The unexpected absence of LaMelo Ball due to a calf issue adds another layer of complexity. With Ball sidelined, Vasa Micic becomes a prime streaming target, offering value for both Friday and Saturday games. Keep an eye on Jalen Brunson, who seems to be finding his rhythm again, which is a positive sign for fantasy managers.
On the Cleveland Cavaliers and Atlanta Hawks front, Darius Garland’s recent dip in usage and shooting is worth monitoring. Meanwhile, Trae Young’s impressive assist numbers continue to shine, despite some Achilles concerns. For streaming, Ty Jerome is a viable option if Dean Wade and Caris LeVert remain out, while DeAndre Hunter offers potential upside for the Hawks.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Pelicans podcasts.
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