3 potential changes the New Orleans Pelicans might face after the appointment of Willie Green and Mike D'Antoni

#2 - Willingness to experiment

The updated New Orleans Pelicans coaching staff could bring outside-the-box thinking for the 2021-22 season

Mike D'Antoni, who will serve as a coaching advisor for the New Orleans Pelicans next season, is known for his willingness to think outside the box.

D'Antoni's history of playing small, fast, and with a green light could find itself useful this season. A significant number of Pelicans players in 2020-21 had one defined position with the occasional difference. An increase in risk with the hope of finding outliers that may just work is the type of innovation that was previously lacking.

There may be moments where all three of Devonte' Graham, Josh Hart and Nickeil Alexander-Walker share the floor. The New Orleans Pelicans could also throw some of their young talents (Trey Murphy III, Herbert Jones, Naji Marshall) on the floor for extended stretches to see if they can carve a substantial role.

The updated New Orleans Pelicans coaching staff could bring outside-the-box thinking for the 2021-22 season.

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#1 - Becoming more offensive-focused

The New Orleans Pelicans' new coaching staff will implement an offensive focus this season

Former head coach Stan Van Gundy is known for his defensive focus, but the New Orleans Pelicans simply did not (and still do not) have the talent to be a top-tier team on that end. In 2019-20, they ranked 23rd in defensive rating (113.3), and the roster may have worsened in that specific aspect.

Going from Lonzo Ball to Devonte' Graham is a significant defensive downgrade. The same can be said for the swap of Steven Adams for Jonas Valanciunas. However, both of those moves do have their offensive upsides.

The New Orleans Pelicans' offensive rating ranks slightly above average at 11th place (113.0). While Green was the Suns' defensive coordinator, D'Antoni is a respected offensive mind who could decide to ramp up the Pelicans' three-point attempts from their 30.4 last season (ranking 25th in the league).

The New Orleans Pelicans roster seems fit to provide ideal spacing for their down-low threats of Zion Williamson and Jonas Valanciunes this season. The new coaching staff's decision to implement an offensive focus could significantly improve the team's win total from the year prior.