3 players of the New Orleans Pelicans expected to deliver big in the 2021-22 NBA season

#2 Jonas Valančiūnas

Jonas Valanciunas #17 of the Memphis Grizzlies reacts during the second quarter against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on May 06, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan.

The New Orleans Pelicans center Jonas Valančiūnas was the Toronto Raptors' fifth overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft. After spending seven seasons with the Raptors, and three seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies, Valančiūnas was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans as part of a three-team trade involving the Charlotte Hornets and Memphis Grizzlies. JV has a career average of 12.9 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 621 appearances.

He finished the previous season with an average of 17.1 points, 12.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists for the Grizzlies. Valančiūnas led the team in rebounds and placed third in the league in rebounds per game and 6th in total rebounds.

He made appearances in three of the four preseason games and led the New Orleans Pelicans in rebounds in game 2 against the Orlando Magic. The 2021-22 NBA season will be his debut season with the Pelicans and he is expected to play a key role in getting the team to where it ought to be.

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#3 Zion Williamson

Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans speaks to members of the media during Media Day at Smoothie King Center on September 27, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Zion Williamson will miss the start of the new season due to a right foot injury he underwent surgery for and is currently recovering from. While the timeline for his return is not defined, he is said to be healing just fine as the New Orleans Pelicans anticipate his return to the court.

Williamson finished the previous season with an average of 27.0 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists, leading the team in points, free throws and field goals. Zanos is a handful for any defense, his strength, speed and athleticism sets him apart and makes him difficult to stop in the paint. He will be critical to the success of the New Orleans Pelicans in the 2021-22 NBA season, and as long as opponents have no answers on how to stop Williamson, he will go off and take apart their defenses.