The New Orleans Pelicans are dealing with a good problem on their hands – Zion Williamson looks to be in tremendous shape. The electrifying forward has been hailed as the franchise’s kingpin for years. However, his inconsistency largely due to injuries never enabled the Pelicans to view him as the pivotal puzzle piece. But now with him returning in incredible condition, the organization has some decisions to make.

Since the beginning of the offseason, there has been belief that the Pelicans would want to move All-Star forward Brandon Ingram. The feelings grew heavier when they traded for Dejounte Murray, adding another scoring threat besides Williamson and veteran CJ McCollum. However, after seeing the Boston Celtics prevail with their studded lineup, do the Pelicans have a chance to replicate the same? The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor and Chris Vernon couldn’t reach a common conclusion.

O’Connor strongly felt the Pelicans could be entertaining the idea of keeping the core together when the season rolls out. Vernon though wants Ingram gone, making it a system solely focused on Zion Williamson. But would it hurt to at least give it a try? Especially considering the dried-up market for the wiry forward. Vernon was willing to bend but under one condition.

“The sooner the Pelicans realize that Zion Williamson is the best player, he’s got to be taking the maximum amount of shots and then everybody else revolves around him, the better off they will be as a franchise,” he said.

Till now, the Pelicans have never had such strong security when it comes to Zion Willamson. But now that he looks ravishing in his new form, the organization could test out their star trio. When playing together, both Williamson and Ingram have flourished, averaging over 22 points at least. Additionally, the Pelicans have won 79 of their 148 games.

Now, they are also equipped with better defensive assortments with Dejounte Murray likely to be the starting point guard. Zion Williamson having his old burst back could open up the floor for an assassin like BI. There’s a wide scope that could pay huge dividends to the Pelicans if the experiment goes right. If not, they could find a trade for Ingram during the trade deadline.

However, if they can foster a long-lasting lineup by not breaking up their core, it should be a chance the Pelicans take.

Pelicans and Brandon Ingram have no interest to split

The Pelicans have never wanted to part ways with Brandon Ingram. They have always viewed him to be part of their plans. It is simply a question of financial difficulties to prolong his stay. After the current season, BI becomes a free agent eligible to sign a $208 million extension. With the plethora of talent the Pelicans have, they aren’t in a position to blindly award such a lucrative extension. It’s necessary to see whether their team dynamics amount to any significant improvement.

However, Ingram has conveyed his willingness to stay a Pelican. And even Pelicans executive vice president David Griffin has spoken in the same breath as the 6’8″ forward. “In some markets, you don’t have to make any decisions: You get a max, and you get a max, and you get a max, and you hoard talent. We’re not that market. So, we’re going to have to make sure the fit is right and we’re going to have to make sure that we can keep the group together. So, if there’s a way we can do that with Brandon in a sustainable way, we want to do it. And I think he feels the same,” said Griffin.

So even if their test with the refurbished core is a success, there is no certainty over it remaining the same. It might be the worst problem for the franchise to have. Ingram would be the first of many to make a sacrifice if they wished to stay intact and grow in New Orleans, similar to what Jalen Brunson recently did for the Knicks. One way or another, the Pelicans will be compelled to pay heavily while their franchise players will have to make adjustments to harbor the components around them.

Are those sacrifices sensible to make when the Pelicans haven’t made any significant progress yet? It’s a difficult choice to make for Brandon Ingram.