Top 3 Free Agent Targets for Pelicans
Pels Press • June 29, 2023
Free Agency is Overrated....right?
If you have been a fan of the New Orleans franchise for very long, you know that Free Agent Basketball players (especially good ones) seem to avoid the Crescent City at all costs.
While I personally have no idea why it tends to lead to some overall underwhelming Free Agency periods for the Pelicans, This could also be why we appreciate and admire players we draft that much more. (Except Day-to-Davis)
With all that being said, I have three players that I think are attainable for the franchise and would genuinely fill a space that is lacking in this current roster.
#1: Decent Bigs
My fellow brothers and sisters of Pelican Nation, I HAVE SEEN WAY TOO MUCH TERRIBLE BACKUP CENTER PLAY. Jaxson Hayes, Derrick Favors, KENDRICK PERKINS. I AM. TIRED.
An easy solution to this problem is to get someone cheap and reliable, and that can be a positive for 15 minutes a night. Enter Mason Plumlee. I know what you’re thinking. I promise, he is better than you think he is. His rebounding, passing, and, honestly, screen setting are well above average for a backup Center in today's NBA. We have not had an above-average backup Center in years, so just getting someone who is available and average with upside is a huge improvement. Plus, one-handed free throws are fun.
#2: Shooting
Blah, Blah, Blah. Every team needs shooting, especially the Pelicans. Yeah, I know this is kind of a boring take, and I am just as tired of talking about it as you are of reading about it. Unfortunately for both of us, that doesn’t make it any more true. Genuinely, I believe targeting a player like Seth Curry should be heavily pursued by David Griffin. Movement shooting, body control, and most importantly, a vet who will actually see the court (Sorry, GT. He's still a legend, though.)
#3: An actual PG
This one is probably the grossest one yet. I don’t know why, but ever since he snitched on one of his teammates, the league has really not liked DLo. However, I know a team that could use his services AND benefit from them.
Listen, I love the idea of Zion playing "Point Zion" for every game next season. The truth of the matter is that we truly have no clue how many games he will play. That leads me to a guard who has experience, can be a positive in the right system, and is willing to come off the bench. I think Russell would do great in that role; this would obviously move the Pelicans to more of a 10-man rotation. However, with how injured the team tends to be, that isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
What do you think? Who should the Front Office go after? Or do you want to run it back? Let Me Know!
-Jacob Compton (@PelsPress)
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How X Games Found Its Perfect Match in New Orleans
Well the changing of the guard has begun on defense. With Demario Davis leaving in free agency a big leadership void was left in the locker room where someone else will have to take the torch. Whom remains to be seen but all eyes are on what Kaden Ellis brings in his return to the Saints. The Saints signed Ellis to bring back someone with familiarity with the organization and the talents he was better able to showcase after leaving the team. Kaden Ellis in his time with the Atlanta Falcons was able to show he can do whatever you need of him from the linebacker position. He can play off ball in space showing good awareness in coverage but can also play well on the ball when asked to rush the passer from a variety of situations. With Ellis in the fold I expect the defense to be more effective in keeping the offense guessing on what the linebackers will be doing on a down to down basis. Next up is Pete Werner who has had a up and down career thus far with the Saints but overall has been a solid starter since he was drafted. Werner’s coming off a down year in terms of on field production in 2025 where he was routinely taken off the field in favor of getting the young linebackers on the roster snaps on defense to give them some opportunity and experience. If Werner wants to keep his starting role on defense he is going to have to show more impact on defense this season beginning in training camp. With Demario gone and Pete Werner the only returning starting at linebacker on defense the door of opportunity has fully opened for the young linebackers on the roster. who have been patiently waiting for their chance to make a name for themselves. Isiah Stalbird, Jaylan Ford, Danny Stutsman fit into this category as young guys earning their stripes through special teams and limited snaps on defense thus far. This will be one of the more fascinating, fun training camp battles to see if any can overtake Werner on the depth chart and carve out a more meaningful role on defense. After them is the roster hopefuls in Anfernee Jennings and Jackson Sirmon. These two will look to show they belong in the league and will do whatever it takes to prove it. Whether they make the 53 man roster with the Saints or not the goal is to help bring more competition to the room and see who can do enough to latch on somewhere in the NFL. Opportunity is the key word I would use for this group. From Kaden Ellis getting a chance to really star on defense to Pete Werner getting an opportunity to keep young guys from taking his snaps again to the young guys like Danny Stutsman overtaking Werner on the depth chart. The linebacker unit has plenty of opportunities ahead of them, let’s see what they can make with them.