From Deep: Just how high can Zion Williamson and the Pelicans fly?

New Orleans' franchise player is returning to a totally reimagined team

The New Orleans Pelicans lost five of their first six games last season, then Brandon Ingram hurt his hip and they lost their next seven. At 1-12 on Nov. 12, with Zion Williamson's status something of a mystery, it looked like they were going nowhere fast.

Eleven months later, the Pelicans are clearly ascendant. Having salvaged that season, reshaped the roster and welcomed back Williamson, the question is just how high they can fly. New Orleans has the makings of an elite offense, depth at every position and all sorts of lineup possibilities. But it also has stiff competition in the West.

Everything starts with Williamson, who missed the entire 2021-22 season with a foot injury. The last time we saw him, he was an unstoppable force, averaging 27 points (20.3 of them in the paint) on 61.1 percent shooting, plus 7.2 assists. That was the year of "Point Zion," in which then-coach Stan Van Gundy unleashed him as a downhill driver and on-ball playmaker. The spacing wasn't ideal with Eric Bledsoe at point guard and Steven Adams at center, but this Williamson barreled his way to the basket anyway.