After just five games in the 2024-25 season, the New Orleans Pelicans have a 2-3 record.
That means that there are things to work on if the team wishes to go far into the playoffs.
There are troubling signs coming out of the team’s stats, including the fact that Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram aren’t performing like a great duo right now.
According to Evan Sidery, the Pelicans are being outscored by 17.5 points per 100 possessions when Williamson and Ingram share the court.
During that time, they have an offensive rating of 106.6 and a defensive rating of 124.1.
Is this the last bit of evidence the front office needs to break this pair apart?
The Pelicans are being outscored by 17.5 points per 100 possessions when Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram share the court:
OffRtg = 106.6
DefRtg = 124.1It’s long overdue for New Orleans to split this duo up with an Ingram trade after continued inefficiency together. pic.twitter.com/LQ2Xxy9UYq
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) October 31, 2024
The Pelicans surely aren’t happy to find out that Williamson and Ingram aren’t working like a compatible unit.
This means the departure of Ingram is becoming more and more inevitable.
Most people thought he would be leaving the team in the offseason but the Pelicans weren’t able to find a trade partner.
So Ingram came back to New Orleans and is averaging 22.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 4 assists per game.
He’s obviously playing well but he’s not clicking with Williamson, who is still viewed as the franchise’s most important player.
All of this means the Pelicans will likely stay loyal to Williamson and probably part ways with Ingram, but when?
The team is currently without Dejounte Murray and a move with Ingram doesn’t seem imminent.
But when the trade deadline gets closer, you can bet there will be many rumors about big moves coming out of New Orleans.
NEXT: Insider Reveals When Zion Williamson Will Make His Season Debut
