These are three things that the New Orleans Pelicans should try to figure out during training camp.
The New Orleans Pelicans kick off training camp in just over a week, which really pulls the season back into focus as this new coaching staff tries to bring the franchise back to the playoffs for the first time in a few years.
While outsiders begged for a rebuild, Joe Dumars and co. held strong, keeping Zion Williamson and Trey Murphy around. Now, it feels like they have one more chance to win with this Pelicans core before focusing on the younger players.
Here are a couple of questions to pose prior to training camp, with the hope of finding out some real answers in the couple of weeks before the season tips off:
Finding how players fit into Jamahl Mosley's scheme
This is not the same situation that Mosley and his crew entered into with the Orlando Magic. That team actually was going into a full rebuild. That allowed his staff time to figure out what worked as they got them back into the postseason in just a couple of seasons.
They're entering New Orleans with a roster that management wants to compete with. A few coaches have tried to unlock this team's potential, as it seems like they should be better than they have been.
Who is starting at center?
The Pelicans enter the year with two young options at center in Derik Queen and Yves Missi. While many might assume that Queen would start given the history behind their acquiring him, Missi might be the better fit.
Given that this staff prefers defense over offense, Missi will likely have the early lead. He is coming off a great showing in the FIBA qualifiers and improved from Year 1 to Year 2. Queen is entering Year 2 and has been with DeAndre Jordan this offseason as he tries to transform his body in an effort to add more on that side of the ball.
This could be a fun battle, though it would be a surprise to me if Missi didn't start right away.
How deep will they go on the bench?
Even past the starting lineup, there are some more decisions to be made in this rotation. Assuming Queen does hit the bench at the start of the year, they will have these guys fighting for minutes: Queen, Jeremiah Fears, Bennedict Mathurin, Bryce McGowens, Saddiq Bey, Trendon Watford and Jordan Poole.
The standout there to me is Poole, who is set to make $34 million this season, but could seriously be completely out of the rotation. His minutes were un-winnable last year and they already benched him last year. Now, they enter with an assumed game plan that doesn't fit his skill set. Perhaps they have something different planned, though.
