Analyzing Moves New Orleans Pelicans Regret From Time With Past Stars

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J.J. Redick Philadelphia 76ers (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The New Orleans Pelicans approach in free agency gives a glimpse into the changes in both the game and the franchise direction.

Dell Demps had one of the best situations in the NBA back in summer 2016. The New Orleans Pelicans had Anthony Davis under contract, giving them a star to build around. The team had a top draft pick and cap space to spend. The team had high hopes for the future.

Buddy Hield was drafted, giving the team a much-needed sniper from beyond the arc. Demps was freed of the Ryan Anderson and Eric Gordon contract, so he splurged in free agency. Langston Galloway, Solomon Hill, and E’Twaun Moore were brought in, which was both underwhelming and expensive. The team had little financial flexibility going forward.

The team could afford to be bold though, now that the money was spent. Davis was nearing his prime championship years, so the team had to press the competitive issue or risk losing Davis later. So Demps sent a future draft pick along with Hield, Galloway and Tyreke Evans to the Kings in exchange for DeMarcus Cousins.

David Griffin was a bit more selective in his free-agent shopping. Instead of grabbing three items from the middle shelf, the New Orleans Pelicans signed the most premium of shooting talents in J.J. Redick. Instead of signing unproven talents to long term deals, Griffin traded for Derrick Favors.

Griffin did not lock the team into long term deals yet added two of the best talents available. Both fit well with Zion Williamson, Jrue Holiday, and the trade haul trio. Should the season not go as planned, both would be in high demand at the trade deadline.

Dell Demps traded away all but two draft picks before making the selection. Austin Rivers and Buddy Hield were both shipped out before their rookie contracts were completed. There was no first-round talent to organically grow with Anthony Davis. The talent that was brought in never bought it.

David Griffin is demanding players be all-in on the New Orleans Pelicans project going forward.