New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson is one of two players who made ESPN's top 100 NBA player list.
The New Orleans Pelicans are convinced they have the roster to return to the postseason, but the rest of the basketball world isn't as impressed with their talent.
ESPN's NBA insider staff recently put together a list of the top 100 players in the league. Something that is going to start popping up in a few different publications as we near the start of the season.
Only two players from the Pelicans' roster made the list. Well, they've only unveiled the top 10 so far, but it's safe to assume no New Orleans players will be there. Star wing Trey Murphy was the lower-rated of the stars who made it at No. 57. Zion Williamson followed close behind at No. 51.
Murphy is someone who many are waiting on to take another jump into that next tier. He was consistently rising up to last season, but this is about where he was in public opinion at this time, ahead of the 2025 campaign.
He is ranked ahead of other wings like Michael Porter Jr., Mikal Bridges and Brandon Ingram, which isn't a light accomplishment, but he wants to be better. Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Jaden McDaniels and Desmond Bane are all listed slightly ahead of him.
Williamson's trainer, Kris Chrisp, had an interesting reaction to the star being left off the top 50, posting a picture of Michael Jordan reading a newspaper. Perhaps he can use this as a bit of motivation heading into the year.
The 26-year-old made progress in terms of his health last season, but there is still plenty left to be desired in terms of his offensive game. If he can expand his game, which we've talked about a lot this offseason, then he could start to rise again. People just need to be convinced again of his stardom after years of health frustration.
There's no argument that Murphy or Williamson shouldn't be on this list. There is an argument that they should have more representation, though. The players that most would assume had an argument but didn't make it were Herbert Jones and Dejounte Murray.
Jones is consistently underrated due to his inconsistency on offense, but his defensive ability is among the best in basketball. If he can shoot better this year, he could get back into the top range.
Murray just simply hasn't played enough. Though the list does have Fred VanVleet at No. 91 and the Pelicans are expecting Murray to at least be in that range this year. Perhaps he can wake people up with a solid campaign in his first fully healthy season back.
