3 major offseason fixes Pelicans must make to become 2025 NBA Finals contender

Now that the 2024 NBA Finals is over and the Boston Celtics have been crowned the champion for the 18th time in franchise history — good for most titles in the 78-year history of the association — it has become very clear what the blueprint for the New Orleans Pelicans is to win a championship in today's NBA. Skilled size reigns supreme, as proven as well by the 2023 NBA champion Denver Nuggets, while it's also important to have shooters who can hold their own on defense at every position (like the 2022 Golden State Warriors). The key to mounting a deep run in the playoffs for the Pelicans will always be the health of Zion Williamson. Williamson was putting up arguably the best game of his life during the play-in tournament game against the Los Angeles Lakers, and at 23 years old, the sky is the limit for the highflying forward, for as long as he remains healthy.