CBS Sports’ latest top 100 NBA players list gives New Orleans a pretty clear read on how the league is viewing the Pelicans right now: there’s talent here, but not much trust just yet.
Only two Pelicans cracked the rankings, and both landed lower than the bigger names New Orleans fans might have hoped for. Zion Williamson came in at No. 56, while Trey Murphy checked in at No. 50.
Williamson’s spot marks a significant slide from a year ago, when he was ranked No. 38.
CBS Sports pointed to a healthier season, but also to career-low scoring and rebounding numbers. That’s the trade-off with Zion right now.
He still dominates in the areas where he’s always been dominant, but the Pelicans have trimmed back some of his aggressiveness and volume in an effort to keep him available. That keeps him on the floor, but it also chips away at the ceiling that once made him look like a potential force at the very top of the league.
There’s still a path for him to climb back toward the top 50. The cleanest way is by adding something new to his offensive package - a real mid-range shot or even a three-pointer. If he can stretch his game beyond the rim, he becomes a much harder cover and starts changing the conversation around him again.
Murphy’s placement may be the more interesting one. No. 50 is a strong showing, and it’s not hard to see why some people would put him there. He’s earned a reputation as one of the league’s better shooters, he can finish at the rim, and he gives New Orleans useful work on the defensive end too.
He was also the subject of plenty of trade talk this offseason, with teams clearly trying to get their hands on him. That part of the story says plenty about how valuable he is viewed around the league.
But CBS’ ranking also highlights the gap between being a highly prized piece and being seen as a true team driver. In their view, Murphy may be New Orleans’ best option.
The issue is that he hasn’t consistently been a closer for the Pelicans. In clutch time - the final five minutes of regulation or overtime when the score is within five points - Murphy shot 39.1% from the field and 30.8% from three last season, both well below his overall production. In games that featured those clutch moments, New Orleans went 11-26.
If Murphy starts delivering more in those late-game situations, his standing with the league is going to rise fast. For now, the rankings say the same thing about both of New Orleans’ top names: the talent is real, but there’s still a lot to prove.
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