New Orleans Pelicans roundtable: Free agency
By Nathan Heck
5. Is Quincy Pondexter the Day one starter?
Preston: Here’s hoping. Q-Pon is more than an effective 3 and D defender. He is a spark plug, a coach on the floor, a cheerleader, and a game changer. I went to several games during the 2014-15 season and was amazed at how his energy changed the intensity of the team as a whole. Before, the team would jog up and down the floor until the final four minutes of the fourth quarter. He had the ability to fire them up on the sideline even taking timeouts from Monty Williams, and what’s better is everyone listened! He makes such a difference on our team as a veteran and a teacher, and if he can come back healthy, and stay healthy, I’m fine giving him 30 minutes per game and putting whatever free agents the Pelicans are able to land at the two, or even slide Q-Pon to the four with AD at the five.
Brendon: It’s basically impossible to know at this point unless you’re in the training facility every day. If he’s healthy, he’s earned the benefit of the doubt and is still the best pure wing player on the team. If he’s not, the debate becomes moot. It’s the biggest question mark of the offseason for the Pels.
Rick: At this point, Yes. Is there a better option? Unless the Pelicans sign someone who is a better option, it’ll be Q-Pon.
Next: Free agency preview podcast
Rory: The next week will give us a better answer on this. Should the Pelicans pull off signing a Bazemore or a Crabbe, Pondexter is the obvious reserve. Coming short of that, I can see Pondexter starting ahead of a Jared Dudley, at least on opening night. Pondexter is the unsung hero of the 2014-15 season, and the Pelicans are a far better team with him than without him. Barring a blockbuster signing, the starting small forward position belongs to Pondexter.