3 moves the Pelicans need to make to keep Zion Williamson happy

2. It would be a mistake for the Pelicans not to re-sign Lonzo Ball this offseason.

With his play making abilities and on-ball defense, Lonzo Ball will be one of the most sought after guards on the open market this offseason.

Lonzo led the team with 5.7 assists per game, and he proved to be an essential part to the Pelicans’ success on both sides of the ball the season. He might not be an elite scoring threat, but at 23-years-old it’s safe to assume he has only scratched the surface of his potential.

Assuming the Pelicans don’t bring Ball back, that would only leave them with another hole on their roster to fill. Eric Bledsoe will remain under contract, but he’s soon-to-be 32 years old which makes his ceiling much lower than Ball’s. This could change if the Pelicans are in a win now mode, but they strike me as an organization that is still making a transition.

They can stay competitive while keeping an eye on the future at the same time if they re-sign Ball. It won’t be easy in a stacked Western Conference, but adding a few reinforcements could make this New Orleans team better.

1. Pelicans need better role players surrounding their stars

As mentioned, the Pelicans are in state of transition. They have young talent in Williamson and Brandon Ingram, but now it’s a matter of finding the right pieces to compliment their best pieces.

Having veterans like Bledsoe at guard and Steven Adams at center didn’t necessarily create overwhelming production that resulted in wins. The blame should not be entirely placed on two players, but as two of the team’s highest-paid assets their contracts could be moved elsewhere depending on which direction the Pelicans go.

Should they choose to explore their market and not re-sign Ball, there are other veteran guards to add that could improve the current state of the team. Goran Dragic, Victor Oladipo and DeMar DeRozan are a few names that come to mind. Neither will come at a cheap price though.

If the team decides to bring back Ball and keep him in their starting five with last season’s incumbents, the Pelicans could spend their cap and reload their bench with a capable second unit.

This combination along with a new head coach could be enough to keep Zion happy in New Orleans. If not, it might not be long before trade options for the former No.1 overall pick are considered.