The Pelicans have been in the spotlight in recent years, especially after trading Davis, which has given the team a new lease of energy. However, with this comes a complex set of choices and challenges. Recently, there has been a heated discussion about the future of the Pelicans, especially when it comes to the future fate of Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram. Both of these talented young players carry huge expectations, but the Pelicans could face tough decisions when it comes to resources and contract allocation.
Zion Williamson, as the No. 1 pick in 2019, has shown a tacit cooperation with Davis after joining the Pelicans. However, his career has not been without its challenges. The rookie season did not play much due to injuries and missed the best rookie award. The following season, Zion made his All-Star debut, but injuries once again brought him to the ground, and there was a lot of criticism for some of his off-court behavior. Despite this, the Pelicans still opted to sign him to a five-year 1The $9.3 billion contract extension shows the trust and expectations placed in him.
Brandon Ingram, meanwhile, is also an important member of the Pelicans. After joining the Pelicans, he gradually showed his strength, being selected as an All-Star in a row, and his performance on the court gradually stabilized. In order to keep him, the Pelicans signed a five-year 1$5.8 billion contract extension. His trio with Zion and McCollum has shown great fighting power during the season, allowing the Pelicans to gain a foothold in the playoffs.
Faced with a choice between Zion and Ingram, one might argue that Ingram is the more appropriate option. He has been relatively consistent with fewer off-field problems and has proven his quality. And Zion's career has had many ups and downs, but his potential is undoubtedly huge, and his appeal far exceeds that of Ingram. Considering Zion's youth and talent, as well as his appeal to the team, it is likely that other teams will be chasing after him.
However, after careful analysis, the Pelicans may be more inclined to keep Zion than Ingram. First of all, Zion is a young player who has shown extraordinary talent and potential despite his injuries. His appeal lies not only in his performance on the pitch, but also in his commercial value and influence on the team. In addition, the Pelicans are also more inclined to retain homegrown stars to maintain the team's homegrown atmosphere and fan base.
Also, given the team's long-term development, Zion is more likely to be the centerpiece of the Pelicans' future. Even though Ingram is a good player, he may be slightly less valuable and attractive in the market compared to Zion. In addition, Zion's combination with other young players is also more tacit, which is more attractive for the Pelicans' future strategic layout.
All that said, despite facing a difficult decision, the Pelicans are likely to choose to keep Zion over Ingram. This is not only because of Zion's talent and potential, but also because of the long-term development of the team. Whatever the final decision, the Pelicans will face significant challenges and opportunities.