Pelicans drop the ball on Zion Williamson’s dream, while outside season comes close

With the NBA training camp that is getting closer and closer, the New Orleans -Pelicans are still with an open schedule. It seems that the approach that Joe Dumars wants to follow is that several players have not -goddened deals to fight that last place. From now on the Pelicans have used three of their six training camp offers about Jaden Springer, Garrison Brooks and Jalen McDaniels.

The Pelicans are still able to offer a maximum of three exhibition 10 contracts, but may have just missed a perfect target. With former top 10 -pick Cam Cam Roody Draw at BC Šiauliai, a team in Lithuania, it has closed the door on almost every possibility that he joins the Pelicans.

Although I was one of the biggest fans of Reddish during his collegial career, I will not sit here and tell you that he is the same man he came from Duke University. He is not the same blue chip perspective that looked as if he might have been the next Paul George and had this unreal unused superstotential. That is probably the main reason why he will play abroad instead of returning to the NBA next season.

However, what Reddish is on this point in his career is a wing with a good size, athletics, which can shoot and defend at a relatively high level. New Orleans needs someone who can be a point of attack defender when Herb Jones is off the floor and although Saddiq Bey could step into that role, Reddish fits that role better.

Moreover, his relationship with Zion Williamson, who dates from their time they play together at the university, would have stimulated team chemistry. We now see in the NBA all the time that keeping your star happy is the key, and bringing in Reddish would clearly be happy and more willing to stay loyal.

The door is still open to reddish to become a member of New Orleans

Initially reported by BasketnewsReddish’s contract offers an exit clause for the 2025–26 season, which can leave as opportunities in the NBA, Euroleague or other competitions at the top level.

This means very good if he ends up in Lithuania, that the Pelicans could beat and bring it halfway through next season.

However, if Rooddish plays at a high level and NBA is interested, who wants to say that he will choose the Pelicans for one of the other 29 teams? New Orleans had the chance to grab Reddish during this low season when his market was completely dead, but now that chance has disappeared.