Pelicans Landing

Dylan Mckneely • July 18, 2023

New Orleans Pelicans Summer League Recap

The New Orleans Pelicans unceremoniously concluded their summer league stint in Las Vegas with a loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. The Pelicans end the summer with a 3-2 record, not securing a spot in the summer league playoff tournament. So what now? What do we take away from the last two weeks of watching the summer league version of the Pels, and what should we look forward to? Well, let’s start by answering the first question: What are our Summer League takeaways?


Dyson Daniels Is Ready To Take A Leap.

A basketball player with the number 11 on his jersey

While he might not have been a fan favorite this past season for whatever reason, Dyson Daniels WILL change that this coming year. Daniels showcased his versatility consistently throughout the summer league season. There were games where he was a scoring machine and others where he focused on playmaking and rebounding while never sacrificing his bread-and-butter elite-level defense. Daniels still has some work to do on his three-point shooting, but he has improved at almost every other phase of the game. Either as a primary defensive specialist with lineups that consist of Zion and Brandon Ingram or an attacking, playmaking guard with Trey Murphy and CJ McCollum, Dyson will fit well in almost any lineup that the Pelicans choose to deploy next year.

 

Dereon Seabron Is NBA Ready!

A basketball player is dribbling the ball while another player tries to stop him.

Seabron showed the Pelicans’ front office and fanbase that he isn’t just a speedster; he is also an all-around offensive threat. His ability to get by the first defender and finish through contact didn’t resemble that of an individual vying for a spot on an NBA roster, but of someone that should be solidified in this league. Seabron led the Pels in points per game (17.2) while shooting an efficient 56% from the field. He was also second in rebounds (6.6) and assists (2.0). Seabron possesses a polished offensive skill set that he uses with purpose wasting little time or energy. While it is more likely that Seabron will settle into another year in Birmingham, it might be in the best interest of the Pels to do everything they can to get him onto the 15-man roster sooner rather than later.

 

First Jose And Naji, Now Landers Nolley II.

A basketball player with the number 34 on his jersey

The Pels may have found another gem on the undrafted player market in Landers Nolley II. Nolley II showcased his superior three-point shooting ability, ending the season with a 50% three-point field goal percentage, highlighted by a 6 for 9 showing against the 76ers. Nolley II didn’t look like a guy that simply was hot from three... his form, confidence, and consistency showed that this is simply who he is. Not to be put into a box as simply a three-point shooter, Nolley II showed an ability to finish off the dribble and hit the midrange jumper at a consistent rate (55%), as well! In limited floor time (18 mpg), Nolley II made every minute count. A 6’7 efficient shotmaker is a highly sought-after commodity in the modern NBA. The ability to discover one outside of the draft showcases the front office's ability to find potential in the most unlikely places. With there only being three two-way contracts, let’s hope that Nolley the Second occupies one of them.


EJ Liddell And Jordan Hawkins Look Promising With Time.

Two basketball players are playing basketball on a court.

Jordan Hawkins showcased his ability to shoot the ball from anywhere on the floor early on in summer league, only to calm down to almost a halt as the season went on. With that being said, Hawkins's shooting ability and surprising athleticism (see the highlight dunk below) will keep him in the NBA for a long time. Hawkins could benefit from taking the same route to playing time in the NBA as Trey Murphy did, splitting his time between Birmingham and New Orleans his first year. With more professional reps against elite talent, Jordan will only get better.

EJ started the summer league season off slow, feeling his way out post-injury. After registering a DNP against the Suns, Liddell came back looking more like himself for the rest of his summer league stint, highlighted by a 23-point showing against the 76ers. EJ will thrive as a small-ball center in a Grant Williams-type of role. His strength, ball handling, and relentless approach toward improving his three-point-making ability will make him a welcomed asset to the Pels.

 

With there only being three 2-way contracts, I highly expect Liam Robbins, who didn’t compete in summer league, Seabron, and Nolley II to fill those spots. We could be seeing more of Dereon Seabron in New Orleans than previously expected and a more refined Dyson Daniels moving forward. There is reason to be excited about the Pelicans young prospects. While they might not win the popularity contest, they will not lose their effort and potential.

 

What’s Next For The Pels?

A group of men are sitting on a bench at a basketball game.

With Brandon Ingram representing the United States and Jose Alvarado representing Puerto Rico in the FIBA World Cup, the Pels can expect a more game-ready Ingram coming into the season and the Jose Alvarado that became a fan favorite pre-injury. Zion has been reportedly working out daily at the facility  in New Orleans. Zion having a fully healthy offseason to workout along with a better relationship with the front office, should bode well for not only Zion  but the Pelicans as a whole. Healthy Zion makes the Pels a Championship contender.

A man is standing in front of a crowd of people at a basketball game.

While we wait to see what other changes may be made to this rendition of the New Orleans Pelicans, one could say that the Pels still have one of the most talented core player groups in the NBA. Yes, there are questions surrounding the center position (is JV staying or going?) and yes, health is still a huge question mark for this often injured group. With all of those question marks, one can still find a reason to believe that the best is yet to come for any team that has Trey Murphy, Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and CJ McCollum on it. The Pelicans Summer League flight has landed; next stop: Training Camp!

- Dylan Mckneely (@DylanMckneely)

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Why Peyton "Pop" Houston Could Play a Major Role in LSU's Pursuit of Easton RoyalWhy Peyton "Pop" Houston Could Play a Major Role in LSU's Pursuit of Easton Royal

By Auston Taylor • July 8, 2026
 LSU has made it clear that five-star wide receiver Easton Royal remains one of its top priorities in the 2027 recruiting class. Although Royal is currently committed to Texas, LSU has continued to recruit him aggressively. Based on recent recruiting events and public reporting, one factor that could strengthen the Tigers' position is the presence of quarterback commit Peyton "Pop" Houston. While no outcome is guaranteed in recruiting, Houston's relationship with Royal has become one of the more intriguing storylines surrounding LSU's 2027 class. According to recruiting coverage from The Opening and reports from And The Valley Shook, Houston and Royal showcased noticeable chemistry while competing together on the national stage. Houston also drew attention by winning the event's longest throw competition with a reported 67-yard throw, further reinforcing why many evaluators consider him one of the premier quarterback prospects in the 2027 class. In my view, Houston has the potential to become much more than another highly rated offensive commitment. Elite quarterbacks often become magnets for other top recruits, and early signs suggest Houston could have that kind of influence on LSU's 2027 recruiting class. Why Houston Matters in Royal's Recruitment Quarterback and wide receiver relationships have become one of the most influential factors in modern recruiting. Elite receivers aren't simply choosing a school—they're choosing an offense, a coaching staff, and perhaps most importantly, the quarterback who will help maximize their abilities. If Royal ultimately views Houston as LSU's quarterback of the future, it gives the Tigers another compelling selling point. Rather than asking Royal to imagine what the offense could become, LSU can point to chemistry that has already been displayed during national recruiting events. That doesn't guarantee a commitment flip, but it does provide LSU with something tangible that few recruiting pitches can offer: an established connection between two elite prospects. LSU's History Shows Why This Matters LSU's greatest offensive seasons have consistently featured elite quarterbacks throwing to elite receivers. During the Tigers' historic 2019 National Championship season, Joe Burrow captured the Heisman Trophy while throwing to arguably the greatest receiving corps in college football history—Ja'Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, and Terrace Marshall Jr. That offense rewrote NCAA record books and remains the standard for modern college football offenses. A few years later, history repeated itself. Jayden Daniels won the 2023 Heisman Trophy while benefiting from one of the nation's most explosive receiving duos in Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. Daniels' remarkable development was certainly his own, but LSU's elite receiving talent allowed the offense to reach another level. The lesson is clear: great quarterbacks elevate receivers, but elite receivers also help quarterbacks reach championship-level production. That history gives LSU a compelling message for recruits considering Baton Rouge. Peyton "Pop" Houston's Development Houston's rise as one of Louisiana's premier quarterback prospects is backed by more than recruiting rankings. Evaluators consistently praise his arm strength, touch, ability to extend plays outside the pocket, and willingness to attack defenses vertically. His continued development at Evangel Christian Academy has made him one of the foundation pieces of LSU's 2027 recruiting class. The Bigger Picture If LSU eventually pairs Peyton Houston with Easton Royal, it would represent much more than another recruiting victory. It would signal that LSU landed a quarterback capable of attracting elite talent around him while adding a receiver willing to build alongside that vision. Programs that consistently compete for championships often see recruiting momentum build this way. Elite quarterbacks attract receivers. Elite receivers attract additional offensive talent. Once that cycle begins, recruiting classes can quickly become special. None of this guarantees that Easton Royal will flip his commitment. Texas remains in a strong position, and recruiting decisions can change for countless reasons. However, Houston's emergence gives LSU something every elite program hopes to have: a quarterback capable of becoming the centerpiece of an entire recruiting class. LSU has already witnessed what happens when championship-caliber quarterbacks are paired with elite receivers. Joe Burrow won the Heisman Trophy. Jayden Daniels won the Heisman Trophy. If Peyton "Pop" Houston eventually helps bring Easton Royal to Baton Rouge, it could become one of the defining recruiting stories of LSU's 2027 class—and perhaps the first step toward building another explosive Tiger offense.

Tight End Room Outlook: Revamped and Ready To Roll

By Kaden Arkeder • July 4, 2026
The tight end room has some fresh blood and they look poised to be more impactful heading into next season. With the new arrivals of Noah Fant and third round draft pick Oscar Delp the offense will have the ability to play more in multiple tight end sets to create mismatches for the defense. Multiple tight end sets should allow the Saints to improve the run game and conversely the play action game. Playing in tight end heavy sets was something they were unable to do more of last year due to injuries and lack of talent at the tight end position. Mainstay and the only returning starting caliber player is Juwan Johnson. Johnson had a good year last year as one of the few reliable targets in the passing game aside from Chris Olave. Johnson is looking to build on a solid year where he had 77 receptions for 889 receiving yards with 3 touchdowns. He was a security blanket when Rattler was starting and had quite a few big plays when Shough took over as the starting quarterback. With Shough coming into the season as the presumed starter I expect their connection to be even better next season. Someone hoping to have a better connection with a new QB is Noah Fant. Fant was a first round pick back in 2019 with the Broncos but has never quite lived up to his draft status. Fant will be playing on his third team in three years as he seeks to be a quality rotational piece in the offense and find stability for his career here in New Orleans. Fant should be utilized more in the passing game than in the running game but should be able to hold his own when called upon to do his part on run downs. Fant has been on a statistical decline since his time with Denver as his best receiving season came in at 68/670/4 back in 2021. Although his stats have been declining Fant still has plenty to offer with his athleticism and should produce more given a better opportunity. After Fant in the depth chart should be Oscar Delp who could be the x-factor of the tight end room after being selected in the third round of the draft this year. Delp brings a versatile option to the offense as he can lineup in various spots and handle the rigors of blocking in the run game. Delp’s calling card in college was his elite athleticism which jumps off the screen when you watch his tape. He has the ability to turn a five yard catch into an explosive play with how quickly he can get to top speed. Delp is an adequate, willing blocker where like most new tight ends in the league has room to improve in the blocking area of his game. With his versatility and athleticism I believe Delp will play a pivotal role in the offense this upcoming season. With Delp presumed to round out the depth chart at tight end the remaining tight ends will be competing for spots on the practice squad or spots on another team. This group includes Cody Hardy, Treyton Welch, Moliki Matavao, and Zaire Mitchell-Paden. We’ve seen Welch and Matavao from last season fill in admirably after some injuries but are best served as bench options at this point in time in their development. This group of roster hopefuls should hopefully provide some good competition from one another as we progress through training camp and preseason here shortly. Overall this group has a lot more promise heading into this season as it did last year. By getting younger and more athletic the tight ends will play a more prominent role in Kellen Moore’s offense. Whether it’s Juwan building on last season or Fant having a bounce back year or Delp proving to be revelation, the team is going to have plenty of options to choose from to attack the defense. Exactly what this team needed after not having enough last season.
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