Williamson now headlines a young, talented Pelicans roster expected to compete in the Western ConferenceNBAE/GETTY IMAGES
New Orleans has been "rocking since the Pelicans defied the odds and won the chance to select" Zion Williamson in Thursday's NBA Draft, but the one "choreographing the dance party" has been new Pelicans Exec VP/Basketball Operations David Griffin, according to Jeff Duncan of the New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE. Other than "failing to persuade Anthony Davis into returning to the fold," Griffin has "spun nothing but hits since he took over" in April. Now, the Pelicans roster is "busting with youthful, athletic potential," with three more potential first-round picks coming in '20, '21 and '24, plus a swap of first-rounders with the Lakers in '23. The fact that Griffin was "able to spin so much gold from the wayward Lakers is a testament to his deal-making acumen" (New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE, 6/21). ESPN.com's Malika Andrews wrote selecting Williamson first overall was a "predictable move, but a win the smarting Pelicans desperately needed." It has been a "riotous few months for the franchise," as Davis made a public trade request, former GM Dell Demps was fired and the team "stumbled to an awkward end of the season." Now, Griffin has $31M to "spend on free agents" (ESPN.com, 6/20). ESPN's Marty Smith said the city of New Orleans is "so ready to welcome Zion Williamson here as the face" of the Pelicans ("SportsCenter," ESPN, 6/21).
SET UP FOR THE FUTURE: THE RINGER's Paolo Uggetti wrote "this is how you get return for a superstar." The Pelicans are now "set up for both the short and long term." Many have pointed out that "should another star become disgruntled before reaching free agency, no team will be able to compete with the kind of assets that the Pelicans could offer in a trade" (THERINGER.com, 6/20). The AP's Brian Mahoney wrote there "might be tears of joy in New Orleans" after the Pelicans locked up "one of the most exciting prospects in years" (AP, 6/20). In DC, Ben Golliver wrote Williamson will "arrive in New Orleans as the new face of a small-market franchise that hopes to mend fences with a disillusioned fan base" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 6/19). ESPN Radio's Dan Le Batard said there is "literally nothing" Williamson could have done that "would have made him more marketable." ESPN Radio's Jon "Stugotz" Wiener said Williamson "seems very relaxed being the face of a franchise, being in front of cameras, being in front of microphones" ("The Dan Le Batard Show," ESPN Radio, 6/21). FS1's Skip Bayless said Williamson is "going to be the savior" for the Pelicans ("Undisputed," FS1, 6/21). FS1's Chris Carter said the Pelicans will not "overmarket" Williamson and "he'll be far more comfortable" in a smaller market like New Orleans ("First Things First, FS1, 6/21).
A STAR IS BORN: In L.A., Dan Woike writes Williamson "showed that he's not too young for the spotlight," and that he is "more than hype." Woike: "You might think the NBA has seen something like this before ... But if you look closer, if you dive deep into the cache of YouTube and Instagram videos that made Williamson a star long before Thursday night ... you see an anomaly." Williamson "isn't Charles Barkley ... he's Bo Jackson" (L.A. TIMES, 6/21). SI.com's Michael Shapiro wrote seldom has a player "entered the NBA with an approval rating as high" as Williamson. The NBA's "next star has officially arrived." The "shine on a top pick can fade quickly," but Williamson "isn't joining a franchise in turmoil." He and the Pelicans are "primed for playoff contention early and a potential run as Western Conference heavyweights after Williamson's first contract" (SI.com, 6/20).
