2019 NBA Free Agency: Grading every deal the Pelicans have made thus far
By Nolan Jensen
Nicolo Melli
Let’s start with the first transaction made on the opening day of free agency for the New Orleans Pelicans. The organization’s GM, Trajan Langdon, is no stronger to international play. He himself enjoyed a very decorated career overseas, being chosen to the EuroLeague All-Decade team of the 2000s (according to Jim Eichenhofer of Pelicans.com).
His prior history with the EuroLeague gives the Pelicans a certain advantage in sniffing out international players. And in the case of Nicolo Melli, Langdon should be thanked for doing just that.
Melli averaged 7.3 points on 43.5 shooting from the field, including 38.5 percent shooting on 2.7 three-point attempts a game. According to Will Guillory of TheAthleticNola, here’s how the team views his fit within the rotation.
I can confirm @wojespn's report about Nicolo Melli signing a two-year deal with the Pelicans. They view him as a floor spacing big with good passing instincts. Fits exactly into what they need.
— Will Guillory (@WillGuillory) June 30, 2019
Melli was handed a 2-year, $8 million dollar contract (fully guaranteed) with the team on June 30th. He’s going to be given a legitimate opportunity to crack the rotation, the team desperately needs a perimeter shooting presence from the frontcourt—he can provide that.
Look at this game in the 2018 EuroLeague Finals against Luka Doncic and Real Madrid. He’s a smart player, knows when to put the ball on the deck and take it to the rim, can easily fade off of pick and rolls and knock down face-up jumpers, and moves well without the basketball.
Also, that up-fake is nice, is it not?
He might not come in and have the same impact that Nikola Mirotic did but he’s a dynamic offensive threat who has great in-game instincts. This was a relatively safe signing that could provide a tremendous upside.