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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Team Stats (Pelicans at Nuggets) Final Score: 88-122 Rebounds: 36-57 Assists: 17-40 Steals: 9-5 Blocks: 3-5 Turnovers: 12-14 Stat Leaders Scoring Leaders: Jeremiah Fears, 21; Nikola Jokić, 21 Rebound Leaders: Trey Murphy III, 7; Nikola Jokić, 12 Assist Leaders: Jeremiah Fears, 6; Nikola Jokić, 10 My Player of the Game: Jeremiah Fears Chrissy's Key Takeaways * The starters for this game were Fears, Murphy III, Jones, Zion, and Deandre Jordan. So that was different, and it didn't work at all. * With most of the third quarter over, Zion had five total points in the game. He finished with 11. * The Nuggets went on a 32-4 run in the third quarter. The Pelicans came out very slow to start off the third. * New Orleans went 7-of-33 from the three-point line. * Nikola Jokić had a triple-double. The Pelicans had no answer for him all night. * Do the Pelicans know that the season has started because the majority of the guys out there look like they still think they're playing Summer League. * The problem with this team isn't the talent because they have that. So what's the problem? Coaching, effort, etc.? This has to be fixed ASAP. Follow @TheKneaux on X, and follow me there too, @SportsChrissy.
Team Stats (Celtics at Pelicans) Final Score: 122-90 Rebounds: 54-35 Assists: 25-17 Steals: 5-7 Blocks: 7-0 Turnovers: 11-13 Stat Leaders Scoring Leaders: Anfernee Simons, 25; Jordan Poole, 22 Rebound Leaders: Neemias Queta, 11; Yves Miss, 7 Assist Leaders: Payton Prichard, 8; Trey Murphy, III, 5 My Player of the Game: Jordan Poole Chrissy's Key Takeaways * The first two losses of the season were tough but at least the team looked good. In this game, no one looked fired up to compete except Jordan Poole and Jose Alvarado. * Zion did not play because he's been spending all offseason getting in shape just so he could rest after two games. Makes no sense to me. * Trey Murphy and Herb Jones need to find their spark and stride. These guys have been putting in a ton of work in the offseason but it isn't showing right now. * Willie Green has got to be on a short leash because this 0-3 start feels like the team is just picking up where they left off except this time they're healthy and have all the momentum in the world. * The next three games for the Pelicans will be on the road against Denver, Clippers, and Thunder . Follow @TheKneaux on X, and follow me there too, @SportsChrissy.