LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA – AUGUST 06: Lonzo Ball #2 of the New Orleans Pelicans works the floor against Bogdan Bogdanovic #8 of the Sacramento Kings during the first half of an NBA basketball game at HP Field House at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 6, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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 Ashley Landis-Pool/Getty Images)
The New Orleans Pelicans and Sacramento Kings have been eliminated.
The Sacramento Kings and New Orleans Pelicans knew they had a lot of work ahead of them if they wanted to make the postseason in the NBA’s Disney bubble, but Sacramento’s depth and New Orleans’ young stars could’ve helped them scratch and claw out a few wins. Unfortunately, some bad injury luck helped prematurely end their seasons.
The Pelicans and Kings joined the Washington Wizards as the first three teams to be eliminated from playoff contention in the Orlando bubble. With all eight playoff seeds in the East decided, four teams remain active in the West as they fight for the eighth and final playoff spot.
Zion Williamson didn’t look ready for the NBA restart
New Orleans was banking on the fact that No. 1 overall pick Zion Williamson could pair with Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball to give the Pelicans a shot at the playoffs. Even after Ingram improved noticeably, Williamson missed a lot of time due to injuries and Ball continued to struggle on the offensive end. The Pelicans have potential, but they’re a year or two away from contention.
The Sacramento Kings really struggled in the bubble
The deck was stacked against Sacramento from the beginning of the NBA’s return. Several star scorers tested positive for the coronavirus prior to the Kings’ arrival in Orlando, and injuries to power forward Marvin Bagley III and point guard De’Aaron Fox only made things more difficult for Luke Walton.
The Kings have failed to make the postseason since 2006, when they fired head coach Rick Adelman. While they have hired some stinkers like Reggie Theus and Keith Smart, even accomplished coaches like Eric Musselman, Mike Malone, and Dave Joerger have struggled to get the Kings out of the funk the organization has been stuck in for the last few years.
The Pelicans and the Kings have promising young players to build around, but they are naught but ash in the über-competitive Western Conference. Hopefully, 2020 turns out a bit better for these two interesting young squads.