How Pelicans failure in the bubble affects Golden State Warriors

The Pelicans have been a disappointment in the Orlando bubble and it will have an impact on the Golden State Warriors’ future.

Heading into the Orlando bubble – it was assumed the New Orleans Pelicans would make a strong run to test the Memphis Grizzlies for the eighth seed in the Western Conference. Instead, the Pels will find themselves competing with the Golden State Warriors in the 2020 NBA Draft Lottery.

The anticlimatic return of Zion Williamson was everything we DIDN’T want to see from the rising star. Zion’s minutes were heavily restricted – almost making it seem like the Pelicans would have been better off not playing him at all for consistency in their lineups. Instead, New Orleans has struggled through their first six games, going 2-4 and falling into 11th place in the West. Lonzo Ball has been the root of their problems – shooting a woeful 26 percent from the field in these games.

Now, the Pelicans find themselves in the same position Los Angeles was last year when the Lakers shot up the draft order to fourth place despite holding the 11th best odds. A similar strike of good luck could find the Pelicans adding another strong piece to their already exciting young core of Williamson, Jaxson Hayes, Josh Hart and Brandon Ingram.

How does this affect the Warriors? Well, not only will the Dubs be battling for draft position in the lottery – but they will likely clash with the Pelicans at some point in the near future. The better the Pelicans become – the more of a threat they are to the Dubs’ title hopes.

The Warriors would have preferred that the Pelicans reach the playoffs this year – rather than collect another lottery talent. Add this to the list of potential roadblocks standing in the Warriors way next season.