Six New Orleans Pelicans to watch in the final nine games of the season.
By Rick Stone
Mar 6, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans center Omer Asik (3) dribbles the ball as Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) defends during the second quarter at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Omer Asik
Omer Asik has played great basketball since the All-Star Break. In the past 10 games, Asik has scored 8.4 points per game, a whole point better than his season average. He’s also up to 11 rebounds per game and shooting an absurd 60.9% from the field. He’s starting to show just what he can do with this team, and it couldn’t be at a better time for Omer.
Giving up a first-round pick was a gamble, however Asik has shown of late that the gamble could very well pay off very well for the Pelicans if they can sign him longer term. His fit with Anthony Davis has helped both players put up better numbers and greatly aided the overall play of the team when both are healthy. However, Asik will get offers from other teams.
The center position in the NBA today is one of the highest in demand. There are not many bigs who can put up the amount of rebounds Asik has this season. He’s sixth among centers in the NBA in that category. He’s going to get his money, whether it be from New Orleans or a team with money to spend in need of a big who can chalk up rebounds and protect the rim, such as the New York Knicks or the Milwaukee Bucks.
Asik’s one-year deal with the Pelicans was the equivalent of a trial run. New Orleans wanted to see just what Omer would bring to the table as far as a big man next to Anthony Davis. The fit is there. Davis’ numbers have also seen improvement this year and the presence of Omer in the middle has improved the team defense. The Pelicans gave Asik an eight-million dollar deal last offseason, and he could see a similar offer from New Orleans or another team once this season is over. The final ten games could see even more of a change with what teams are willing to offer Asik, depending on how well he fills the role next to AD inside.
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