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Chicago Bulls: Ranking the NBA’s top 10 young cores

By Aaron Peterson

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 27: Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls shoots over teammate Lauri Markkanen #24 against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the United Center on January 27, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. The Cavaliers defeated the Bulls 104-101. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 27: Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls shoots over teammate Lauri Markkanen #24 against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the United Center on January 27, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. The Cavaliers defeated the Bulls 104-101. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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New Orleans may have the most hype of any rebuilding team in NBA history, and possibly for good reason.

If Zion Williamson turns out to be the player that many expect him to become, the Pelicans will have found their franchise player in the first year of their rebuild- a very rare occurrence. Williamson’s size and strength are generational, while his skill as a modern basketball player needs improvement. Despite the pressure on him to be an impact player immediately, New Orleans fans must give him time to adjust his game to a league that is based much more on floor spacing and has much larger men than in college.

Williamson’s star partner is Jrue Holiday, who for some reason has not been moved just yet. Many believe that David Griffin is not interested in committing to a full rebuild, but rather a retool. Some believe that New Orleans can be a playoff team in 2019-2020, but. they are kidding themselves. New Orleans should fully commit to rebuilding this roster by moving on from Holiday this season, which could propel them to a top young core someday.

Outside of Williamson, the Pelicans boast a core of Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Jaxson Hayes, and Jahlil Okafor– an extremely impressive group. Ball and Ingram both have some serious potential, but have been quite disappointing to this point in their careers. Perhaps a change of scenery could be good for them, however even if they remain the same caliber players that they are now, they still are very valuable young assets to support Williamson.

If and when NOLA commits to the rebuild completely, this team is in phenomenal shape for the future. Finding a young co-star for Zion Williamson is a must, but with an abundance of picks and likely a few years in the lottery, it shouldn’t be long before they do so.

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