With Jonas Valanciunas and Larry Nance Jr. no longer on the roster, the Pelicans’ new group of centers is made up of journeyman Daniel Theis and rookies Yves Missi and Karlo Matkovic.
This marks a significant shift in the team’s frontcourt composition, leaning heavily on a blend of veteran experience and youthful potential.
However, there will be plenty of instances during the season when none of those bigs are on the floor for New Orleans, according to head coach Willie Green.
“I’m not dead set on (starting a true center). I’m pretty undecided,” Green said (story via Will Guillory of The Athletic). He emphasized the fluidity of the lineup, leaving open the possibility of smaller, more versatile rotations.
“When we get to camp, I think your team helps you make those decisions. You watch how guys compete, how they perform, and then things start to become clearer.”
Green went on to say, “There are going to be a ton of games when we don’t have a traditional center on the floor,” signaling a potential shift towards modern, positionless basketball strategies that prioritize speed, shooting, and flexibility over conventional size in the paint.
Pelicans Notes: Ingram, Centers, Williamson, Alvarado https://t.co/VqNa4PJ1Ob pic.twitter.com/dchSiOAEL1
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) October 2, 2024
