Western Notes: Pelicans, Warriors, Collins, Rockets

Though the Pelicans had a rocky start to the 2020/21 season, they remain in the hunt for a play-in appearance. With a 15-21 record, New Orleans is currently three games behind the Grizzlies, the No. 10 seed, for a shot at a postseason play-in game. Christian Clark, Rod Walker and Scott Kushner of NOLA.com explore how New Orleans might be able to make the postseason.

The NOLA.com team examines the Pelicans’ porous defense, whether or not guard Lonzo Ball‘s improvement since missing a handful of games in January with knee soreness is here to stay, and the lack of consistent minutes for multiple recent first-round picks. The improvement of Zion Williamson on offense, reflected by his first All-Star appearance this weekend, also gives the writers hope for the Pelicans’ postseason chances.

There’s more out of the Western Conference:

  • The Warriors have several big-picture items to address heading into the post-All Star break portion of the year, according to Anthony Slater of The Athletic. Slater examines the future of pricey forward Kelly Oubre Jr., an unrestricted free agent this summer, plus the development of young big men James Wiseman and Eric Paschall, among other issues.
  • With Atlanta power forward John Collins rumored to be a trade target for the sinking 7-29 Timberwolves, Michael Rand of the Star Tribune assesses how such a deal could play out. Collins, still just 23, rejected a reported $90MM+ extension from Atlanta earlier this season in the hopes of netting a much bigger offer sheet this summer. His two-way impact could greatly improve the struggling Timberwolves, who are undersized at the position and clearly in need of an interior defensive presence. Orlando power forward Aaron Gordon also may be a target.
  • The reeling 11-23 Rockets, losers of 13 straight, face a bevy of questions heading into the season after the All-Star break, Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle writes. Feigen wonders how much of Houston’s trouble can be solved by the expected return of injured big man Christian Wood (whose 13-game absence has coincided with the team’s losing streak), and just how good Wood will prove to be over the length of his new deal with the team. Feigen also discusses new addition Kevin Porter Jr., and considers just how much of the team’s veteran-laden roster will stick around past the trade deadline.
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