The 2017 New Orleans Pelicans Roster: A Detailed Look at the Core Before the Anthony Davis Trade
The 2016-17 season represented a pivotal moment for the New Orleans Pelicans, a young team carrying significant expectations built around superstar power forward Anthony Davis. This roster, largely assembled through strategic draft picks and targeted signings, blended emerging talent with veteran leadership in a delicate balance. The campaign ultimately ended in disappointment, falling short of a deep playoff run, yet it provided a crucial snapshot of a franchise on the cusp of contention.
Following a frustrating 2015-16 campaign where the Pelicans missed the playoffs, the 2017 roster was assembled with the clear objective of returning to the postseason. General Manager Dell Demps operated under the intense pressure of satisfying fan expectations in a market starved for consistent success. The team's identity centered on the transcendent talent of Anthony Davis, widely regarded as one of the league's premier two-way players and a cornerstone of the franchise's future. Supporting him required a blend of complementary scorers, defensive specialists, and steady veterans to navigate the competitive Western Conference.
The nucleus of the Pelicans' 2017 roster was undeniably Anthony Davis. Entering his fifth season, Davis had already established himself as a dominant force in the league, averaging 25.9 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game over his previous three campaigns. His combination of size, athleticism, and offensive skill made him a non-negotiable asset for any team seeking sustained success.
Alongside Davis, the Pelicans turned to veteran leadership to stabilize their backcourt. They acquired veteran point guard Jrue Holiday from the Milwaukee Bucks in a significant mid-season trade in February 2017. Holiday brought a level of defensive intensity and clutch scoring ability that transformed the team's perimeter defense and provided a secondary playmaker. His arrival was immediately felt, as the Pelicans finished the regular season strong after the trade, securing the 7th seed in the Western Conference.
The frontcourt featured a mix of promising youth and seasoned contributors. Following the departure of Anderson Varejao, the team leaned heavily on the steady presence of veteran center Miroslav Raduljica. While not a prolific scorer, Raduljica provided valuable spacing from the perimeter and offered a reliable target in the paint when Davis needed relief. Power forward Taj Gibson, signed during the off-season, brought veteran savvy and defensive grit, capable of guarding multiple positions and contributing consistent low-post offense.
The development of young wings was a critical storyline for the 2017 roster. Buddy Hield emerged as the primary shooting guard, showcasing the offensive upside that led to him being the sixth overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft. His perimeter shooting and ability to create his own shot were essential tools. Alongside him, the promising rookie Lonzo Ball provided dynamic playmaking and defensive energy after being drafted second overall in 2017. Ball's elite court vision and leadership quickly made him a focal point of the offense, particularly in distributing the ball to Davis and Hield.
The 2017 roster also featured key role players who filled specific needs. Ryan Anderson, acquired in the trade for Jrue Holiday, provided a much-needed stretch-four presence, threatening from beyond the arc and spacing the floor for Davis. His ability to knock down consecutive three-pointers was a crucial offensive weapon. Point guard Seth Curry, signed later in the 2016-17 season, offered another perimeter shooting threat and veteran leadership off the bench, providing a reliable floor general when Ball needed rest.
**Key Contributors to the 2016-17 Pelicans Roster:**
* **Anthony Davis** - Franchise cornerstone and two-way anchor.
* **Jrue Holiday** - Veteran playmaker and defensive stopper acquired mid-season.
* **Buddy Hield** - Primary shooting guard and offensive spark.
* **Lonzo Ball** - Rookie point guard and dynamic playmaker.
* **Taj Gibson** - Veteran power forward providing defense and interior offense.
* **Miroslav Raduljica** - Veteran center offering spacing and paint presence.
* **Ryan Anderson** - Stretch four providing perimeter shooting.
* **Seth Curry** - Sixth man point guard offering veteran leadership and shooting.
The culmination of the 2016-17 season arrived with the Pelicans holding the 7th seed in the West, facing the heavily favored Golden State Warriors in the first round. The series served as a stark reminder of the gap between the Pelicans and the league's elite, despite their solid regular-season performance. Davis and Holiday put up heroic numbers, but the supporting cast struggled to find consistency on the road. The Pelicans pushed the series to a Game 6 before ultimately falling short, a disappointing end to a season built on promise.
Looking back at the 2017 roster, it represented a team with significant talent and a clear trajectory. The pairing of Anthony Davis with the emerging playmaking of Lonzo Ball and the veteran addition of Jrue Holiday created a compelling foundation. While the playoff exit to the eventual champion Warriors highlighted the limitations of the supporting cast, the season solidified the Pelicans as a rising franchise in the competitive Western Conference. The roster of 2017, a blend of established stars and burgeoning talents, remains a fascinating "what if" chapter in the franchise's history, halted only by the seismic trade that sent Davis to the Lakers the following summer.
