New Orleans Pelicans Plans: Pelicans Should Pursue Robert Covington
By Brandon Suir
With options limited for the New Orleans Pelicans in the near future, the Pels should consider keeping an eye on Sixers’ forward Robert Covington.
The New Orleans Pelicans have a number of issues to fix, as they look to make a playoff push this season.
Engaging with the fan base of the New Orleans Pelicans, they are in agreement on the need for more shooters. However, that is a bit too simplistic, when discussing the team needs. The fact is the Pelicans have turnover problems, sub-par defense and a glaring hole at small forward.
Solomon Hill and Dante Cunningham are not getting it done. Hill is averaging 30 minutes per game, with no steals and one block on a good night. Cunningham isn’t fairing much better. Hill is also commanding an $11 million salary. New Orleans needs to cut this dead weight.
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But who can they get at the position, that is affordable? This may seem tricky. The Pelicans are still paying off previous bad deals, to players no longer on the team. They will also be tasked with keeping the Two Towers, Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins, intact.
Enter Robert Covington.
Covington is a 26 year-old small forward for the Philadelphia 76ers. To put it simply, Covington is an undervalued player. He averages the same amount of minutes as Hill and Cunningham. However, he also has much better production on a nightly basis.
In those minutes, he is averaging 12 points, six rebounds and two steals per game. His rebounding and defense have also been highlights to his game, and would be a great addition to help Boogie. The season Covington is currently having will command only slightly more money than the Pelicans are paying for Solomon Hill.
Finding that money to offer Robert could be tricky, but it would be well worth the price.
Robert Covington will be an unrestricted free agent after the 2018 season. The 76ers have a team option on him for next season. Given his solid productivity, it would be smart for Philadelphia to take that option. Obtaining Covington will depend on the moves the Sixers make this offseason.
Joel Embiid’s extension is pretty much inevitable at this point. Add on the fact the Sixers have commitment to Nerlens Noel and Ben Simmons moving forward. So the Pelicans making a move for Robert Covington is not totally out of the question. New Orleans and Philadelphia have made trades in the past together.
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Robert Covington would be a fantastic addition to this waning defense. His skill set at a position the Pelicans lack depth in is a big positive. As the future begins to take shape this offseason, New Orelans Pelicans fans should keep their eyes open for this player and his availability.