Pelica Debrief
Fansided

3 transaction targets to boost New Orleans Pelicans hopes for an eighth-seed run

By Willie Lutz

Derrick Rose #25 of the Detroit Pistons shoots against Lonzo Ball #2 of the New Orleans Pelicans. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
Derrick Rose #25 of the Detroit Pistons shoots against Lonzo Ball #2 of the New Orleans Pelicans. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – APRIL 7: Kenneth Faried #35 of the Houston Rockets drives to the basket during the game against the Phoenix Suns on April 7, 2019 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – APRIL 7: Kenneth Faried #35 of the Houston Rockets drives to the basket during the game against the Phoenix Suns on April 7, 2019 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Kenneth Faried, Forward, Free Agent

If there’s been anything pushing this New Orleans Pelicans team back into the playoffs, it’s been their renewed focus on stopping the ball and playing high-energy defense.

Among all current free agents who could potentially leap onto a roster before the end of the season, no one will bring a team more energy than power forward Kenneth Faried.

Playing valuable minutes a season ago for the Houston Rockets, it seems like Faried will be on a roster at some point by the end of the season; he could simply be waiting for an injury or different transaction from a playoff team to find his next home.

Last season playing in 37 games between the Rockets and Brooklyn Nets, Faried averaged 10.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, and shot 58.9% from the floor while contributing about 19.7 minutes per night with the pair of teams.

While he’s still looking for his first opportunity of the new year, Faried posted a 125 offensive and 109 defensive rating last year, which really shows how valuable his energy is when on the floor.

Renowned for his physicality upon entering the league and holding true throughout his eight seasons as a professional so far, Faried plays with a level of energy that can help the Pelicans mixed-bag bench start to develop a ball-stopping identity.

When Zion Williamson returns to the lineup, it’ll be hard for the New Orleans Pelicans to match his physical tools with their second group. Right now, Nicolò Melli is basically a no-show and Jahlil Okafor can’t be trusted for extended stretches on the defensive end.

Adding someone like Faried makes that transition a tad easier while also adding an incredibly hard-working forward to the locker room, someone who’s checked into 18 and started 11 playoff games.

Next. 5 Pelicans games you can't miss in January. dark

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