Which Free Agents Should They Consider?

Whilst you can argue The New Orleans Pelicans already won in the draft acquiring perennial all-star DeMarcus Cousins for the 5th pick (and a couple or other pieces), there has not been much movement in the Big Easy.

Jrue Holiday signed a new 5 year, $126 million contract, tying up a lot of cap space, and trades will be required to create more space.

The only notable addition since has been Rajon Rondo on a 1 year, $3.3 million contract and Frank Jackson, the 31st pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.

The Bird Writes displays the current roster going into next season, minus Quincy Pondexter, but that is understandable.

While I like the look of the starters, and Solomon Hill could definitely be upgraded, the bench looks very questionable.

The Back Up Point Guards

Quinn Cook looked good in the summer league, but collapsed at the end of tight games, committing three turnovers in the last 30 seconds of separate games. Cook was impressive through three quarters and could be someone who has a positive impact off the bench.

Frank Jackson will get limited minutes when everyone is fit, but this is the Pelicans, so there is a every chance he will end up playing in some role. Jackson is one for the future.

The Back Up Shooting Guards

Jordan ‘instant grits’ Crawford was superb coming off the bench a season ago. Production was generally poor from the bench, but Crawford averaged 14.1 point in the 19 games played and I would like him to still be part of the rotation.

E’Twuan Moore in my opinion is over paid. He is an okay shooter and defender, but for his 4 year, $34 million contract, I believe he is one that might be moved to create more cap space.

The Back Up Small Forwards

This is the weakest area on the roster for me personally. Hill, Darius Miller, Axel Toupane (who is more of a shooting guard) and Pondexter. Hill is the best defender and Pondexter the best shooter in my opinion, but neither are great at either. Toupane is nowhere near the finished article and it would not surprise me if he is traded or waived.

Hill is another player on a large contract for his production, a whooping 4 year, $48 million contract for someone who averaged 7 points in nearly 30 minutes is not value for money. Again, he is another player I would look to move and upgrade, but a pick or two might have to be involved in this.

Pondexter is on a much more modest contract, although he has not played since the 2015 playoffs. With the recent video of him looking healthy and knocking down 3’s, and it being the final year of his deal, I would give him the chance to come off the bench (not that many teams would take him without any picks).

The Back Up Power Forward

Cheick Diallo (arguably a center) was very good in the summer league, being named to the second team. I do not think who ever plays as the back up to Fire and Ice will get a huge amount of minutes, but I would like to see Diallo get some.

The Back Up Centers

Alexis Ajinca and Omer Asik, I think we can all agree, would not be upset to see either go. The problem is they are both big and slow in a faster-paced, smaller NBA. Ajinca can score and has bursts, but they are not often and Asik has probably the worst contract in the NBA. He has three years left earning an average of $11,500,000. To dump Asik we would need to attach at least a first-round pick.

The Alternatives

As previously mentioned, cap space is tight as it stands, so let examine some of the best free agents available who could do a job.

The Point Guards

Aaron Brooks – Played as the back up point guard to Jeff Teague. Averaged 5 point and 1.9 assists in 13.8 minutes. Not huge numbers, but a decent back up for what I can only imagine is a small investment.

Trey Burke – Was back up to John Wall last season and as a result saw limited minutes. Burke had his least productive season, but was down in minutes to just 12.3 minutes and averaged 5 points and 1.8 assists, very similar to Brooks, but did shoot and impressive 44.3% from three-point range.

Isaiah Canaan – Had a poor season a year ago, but does have potential and can get very hot very quickly.

Brandon Jennings – His career has slowed down recently, but last season averaged with the Knicks 8.6 points and 4.9 assists in 24.6 minutes with the Knicks and 3.5 points and 4.7 assists in 16.3 minutes with the Wizards. Good production overall.

Deron Williams – The three-time all star played in Dallas to start the year and averaged 13.1 points and 6.9 assists in 29.3 minutes before signing for Cleveland where he averaged 7.5 points and 3.6 assists in 20.3 minutes. However, Williams’ wage demands may prove to be a stumbling block.

My Verdict – I would choose to sign Burke if New Orleans could get him on a small contract. He is still young, athletic and is a good shooter. I think he would be a very useful rotational player to fit in with Rondo and Holiday.

The Shooting Guards

Aaron Affalo – Has always been a solid shooter and scorer throughout his career. With the Kings last year, Affalo averaged 8.4 points in 25.9 minutes and shot at 41.1% from three. Prior to last season, Affalo had averaged over 10 points for the previous 7 seasons.

Ian Clark – a young proficient shooter who can also play at point guard. Helped the Warriors run to the title last year, averaging 6.8 points in 14.8 minutes, with a career high field goal percentage (48.7%) and three-point percentage (37.4%).

Monta Ellis – Never been a strong three-point shooter, but always drives to the basket and has scored a lot of points in his career. Last season was the first year since his rookie year where he averaged under 10 points. Ellis did average 3.2 assists.

Randy Foye – Versatile guard who can play at the 1 or 2. In 18.6 minutes, Foye averaged 5.2 points and 2 assists while shooting 33% from deep. A good solid veteran.

Gerald Green – Can also play at the small forward position due to his length, Green is a streaky shooter, but when he is hot, he is hot. In only 11.4 minutes last season, Green averaged 5.6 points and shot at 35.1% from deep.

Gerald Henderson – Never been a high scorer, but a solid player. Last year in 23.2 minutes, Henderson averaged 9.2 points, 1.6 assists and shot at a career-high 35.3% from deep.

Rodney Stuckey – Been a solid rotational player most of his career. Waived last season by the Pacers due to an injury before the playoffs. Stuckey went well averaging 7.2 points, 2.2 assists and shot 31.7% from three in nearly 18 minutes.

My Verdict – This is a tough one, as I would be happy if the Pelicans could sign any of these guys on a minimum contract. But if I was to pick one, I would sign Clark. I think his versatility and ability to play for one of the best teams and fit in seamlessly would help the team, plus he has experience of winning a ring.

The Small Forwards

Luke Babbitt – A former Pelican and a bit of a one-trick-pony, but it is not a bad trick being a knock down three-point shooter. It is something the Pelicans are crying out for and it surprised me to see him playing at power forward so much for last season. Babbitt averaged 4.8 points shooting at 41.4% from three in 15.7 minutes. A bit of a liability on the defensive end.

Anthony Morrow – Another former Pelican and knock down three-point shooter, Morrow averaged 5.5 points in 12.7 minutes while  shooting at 36.2% from three.

My Verdict – I like Babbitt and could maybe see him playing as a back up power forward, but I would choose to sign Morrow. He is a bigger scorer and has a higher shooting percentage for his career and I think that he could really help the Pelicans stretch the floor.

The Power Forwards

Brandon Bass – Drafted way back by New Orleans and a Louisiana native. Bass had a productive year with the Clippers, in 11.1 minutes averaging 5.6 points and 2.5 rebounds, including career highs from field goal (57.5%), three-point (33.3%) and free-throw (87.5%).

Michael Beasley – Beasley has somewhat of a chequered past, and with Rondo and Cousins it might cause a few issues. However, he did put up good numbers, averaging 9.4 points, 3.4 rebounds in 16.7 minutes.

Boris Diaw – Has a ring with the Spurs back in 2014. Has always been a reliable rotational player who provides a bit of everything. Last year with the Jazz Diaw averaged 4.6 points, 2.2 rebounds and, 2.3 assists in 17.6 minutes.

Kris Humphries – Has been a journeyman tound the league and played back up to Paul Millsap last year, so would have no problem doing it for Anthony Davis. Humphries averaged 4.6 points and 3.7 rebounds in 12.3 minutes. He had a career high three-point percentage of 35%.

My Verdict – A bit of a gamble, but I would take Beasley. His all-round game and shooting could add a real edge to the bench, but Bass would be another good option and is known for being a good teammate.

The Centers

Jared Sullinger – Solid in Boston, but it just hasn’t worked for him in Toronto. He has averaged just 3.4 points and 2.5 rebounds in 10.7 minutes. For his career, Sullinger has averaged 10.8 points and 7.5 rebounds in 24.3 minutes and is only 25-years old.

Jeff Withey – Another former Pelican. Withey averaged 2.9 points and 2.4 rebounds in 8.5 minutes with the Jazz last year. He is a solid shooter, including from the line.

My Verdict – There are not many big men available, but I would take a gamble on Sullinger. He has consistently put up good numbers, and I just don’t think the fit worked in Toronto. Again, he’s young and could be extremely useful off the bench.

My free agent team:

PG – Trey Burke

SG – Ian Clark

SF – Anthony Morrow

PF – Michael Beasley

C – Jared Sullinger

The Pelicans would have to dump some contracts before any of this is possible, so let’s sit back and see what Dell Demps vision is for the short and long-term future of the franchise.