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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