Pelica Debrief
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How Does Trade Target Kent Bazemore Fit With Pelicans?

By Chris Bolton

NEW ORLEANS, LA - NOVEMBER 13: Kent Bazemore #24 of the Atlanta Hawks drives against E'Twaun Moore #55 of the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half of a game at the Smoothie King Center on November 13, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - NOVEMBER 13: Kent Bazemore #24 of the Atlanta Hawks drives against E'Twaun Moore #55 of the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half of a game at the Smoothie King Center on November 13, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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Atlanta Hawks wing Kent Bazemore has been rumored to have the Pelicans and Rockets interest. If the Pelicans pull the trigger on a trade, how will Bazemore fit in the Pelicans scheme?

3 and D wings, these players are arguably the most sought after guys in the league currently. In today’s basketball climate, you can’t have enough of them on your roster. For the New Orleans Pelicans, it would help to have just one. The small forward position has been one the Pels have patched together for several seasons now. With the team rumored to be interested in acquiring Kent Bazemore, lets look at how he potentially fits on this team.

Offense

NEW ORLEANS, LA – NOVEMBER 13: Kent Bazemore #24 of the Atlanta Hawks shoots against E’Twaun Moore #55 of the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half of a game at the Smoothie King Center on November 13, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
NEW ORLEANS, LA – NOVEMBER 13: Kent Bazemore #24 of the Atlanta Hawks shoots against E’Twaun Moore #55 of the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half of a game at the Smoothie King Center on November 13, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. /

The first word I think of to describe Bazemore is athlete. Head Coach Alvin Gentry loves to get up and down the court, and there are no better players to get up and down the floor with than athletes. Bazemore would fit well in the high pace offense the Pelicans run and should be able to provide scoring opportunities on the break. Whether it is finishing with a slam, making the extra pass or spreading the floor.

He has a track record of knocking down the spot up 3 pointer. Last season on the Hawks, he made nearly 40% of his 3’s. Off closeouts or in pick and roll situations he can put the ball down and attack the rim. This combined skill set fits with almost any team in the league, but especially the Pelicans where Anthony Davis draws so much defensive attention.

On the offensive end, I see Bazemore providing double digit scoring if given the opportunity to play 25 plus minutes a game. Playing off of Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday, Baze will be able to knock down 3 pointers, attack off the dribble, and occasionally create for others without the burden of being the number one option.

Defense

Bazemore is a 6’5 wing with the ability to defend all 3 positions on the perimeter. He would fill the role of defender to throw at the LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Paul George’s out West (WOW! LeBron really is a Laker now). To compete in a tougher Western Conference (did I mention LeBron is in the West now?) filling that void at the wing is essential next season. Bazemore will not make the Pelicans sacrifice either offense for defense from their 3-man, a luxury they haven’t had in a long time.

If Bazemore is traded to the Pelicans, accepts his role as a defender, and plays within himself, I see him fitting in well to the Pelicans system. This team is all about getting up and down the floor and attacking the rim, those are two things Bazemore can do well. Is he a dynamic scorer? No, but he wouldn’t need to be on this team to excel. Have Bazemore defend, shoot spot up 3 pointers and occasionally attack the rim; then the Pelicans can feel confident about their small forward.

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