3. More Versatile Lineup Combinations

The blend of explosiveness and size that Zion Williamson brings to the table is clearly unique. It should bring plenty of benefits to the New Orleans Pelicans from the standpoint of fielding creative lineups and complicating matchups for the opposition.

Something the Pelicans should consider experimenting with is using Williamson as a small-ball center against certain matchups. There is legitimate potential for the unit to be able to run teams off the floor while having the strength at the five spot to handle many bigs.

If the Pelicans are able to hold their own defensively with Williamson serving as a small-ball five, it would force opposing teams to have to field a faster overall unit. That’s when Williamson could really start to bully with his size since his matchup would be smaller and there wouldn’t be much for rim protection.

The floor spacing can be a little complicated to think about with Williamson at the power forward spot with a traditional interior-oriented big in the unit like Derrick Favors or Jaxson Hayes. That’s largely why the Pelicans made a strong push for Indiana Pacers stretch-five Myles Turner near the 2019 NBA Draft.

To put the potential floor spacing concerns with traditional bigs into perspective, Favors and Hayes have combined for 18 jump shot attempts within the half-court this season. There is a clear need for a stretch-five but Williamson’s ability to bully his way into the paint helps mitigate some of that.

There are still benefits to having either Favors or Hayes alongside Williamson despite potential drawbacks. It starts with the fact that athleticism with Hayes could truly overwhelm some opposing teams while Favors’ veteran savvy can help to simplify the game.