Pelicans grades: Williamson, Ingram and agency changes

Head coach Willie Green referred them as “the best duo in the NBA” 13 months ago, but it’s time for the Pelicans admit that the attacking duo Zion Williamson And Brandon Ingram It didn’t work, says Christian Clark of NOLA.com (subscription required).

As Clark details, injuries have consistently derailed any hopes the Pelicans had of building momentum behind Williamson and Ingram, who have played just 73 games together since Green was hired in July 2021.

Differences between how the two stars must be motivated also created a disconnect, according to Clark, who says Williamson “requires regimen and structure” while Ingram has been at his best under friendly coaches. with players like Alvin Gentry and green.

When David Griffin was hired as the Pelicans’ head of basketball operations in 2019, he had two opportunities during the offseason to add a player who could be New Orleans’ “tent pole” star around which one to build, Clark writes. The front office acquired Ingram in the Anthony Davis trade and drafted Williamson with the No. 1 overall pick. However, Clark says there is now enough evidence to show that neither is the face of the franchise the team hoped to become.

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• Communication has been an issue throughout Williamson’s tenure in New Orleans, according to Clarkwho cites the example of this season’s opening match – which the 24-year-old missed due to illness – to illustrate the point. Williamson missed that morning’s shootout, then showed up to the arena and would have been a game decision before being ruled out. His lack of communication about his status left several team personnel “confused,” Clark said, setting the tone for the Pelicans’ disappointing fall.
• While there were rumors that Williamson’s camp was unhappy with the CAA for years before he separated from the agency in November, Ingram’s decision to leave Excel Sports Management was somewhat of a surprise, according to Clark.
• Clark and Shamit Dua from In the NO reported that Ingram was expected to sign with Klutch Sports before Shams Charania of ESPN confirmed this on Sunday. Dua speculates that Ingram switched agencies because Excel couldn’t guarantee him the type of extension he was looking for or a trade to a desired landing spot, while Klutch is known for “do everything possible” for its clients. Williamson should not follow Ingram to Klutch, Dua adds.
• Multiple league sources tell Dua that the Pelicans and Jazz had discussions about a possible trade with Ingram earlier this year, but that they were stalled due to the forward’s disinterest in signing long-term in Utah. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported this week that finding a team that Ingram would be willing to extend with was one of many factors complicating the Pelicans’ trade efforts.
• In case you missed it, we did too transmitted some pelican notes on Saturday evening.