Possible Free Agents for the New Orleans Pelicans: Two Low-Cost Bigs

Strengths: Rim protection, rebounding, shooting efficiency, price tag

Weaknesses: Playmaking, ball handling

Key Statistics: 2.9 blocks per 36 minutes, eFG% of 68.7

How he fits with the Pelicans:

Nerlens Noel could potentially replace Favors at a fraction of the cost without losing much production.

Noel is the ultimate “Per-36” player as he doesn’t play big minutes but is able to fill out a scorecard in his short time on the floor.

Noel’s per-36 numbers are impressive at 15.1 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.9 blocks and two steals, but the problem is that he only plays 18.4 minutes per game on average for the Thunder.

There are several reasons for this, namely that Noel often gets in early foul trouble, but also because he is limited offensively.

Noel’s offensive limitations wouldn’t matter much on the New Orleans Pelicans, as he would simply be asked to do two things: rebound and protect the rim.

He has always been able to do those two things, albeit in short bursts.

Noel wouldn’t require the ball, which is good for a team with ball dominant players like Jrue Holiday, Zion Williamson and Lonzo Ball, but he can run the floor and would add another big for Ball and Holiday to throw lobs to.

Regardless of what he provides on offense, Noel protects the rim, which is something the Pelicans need.

They are currently near the bottom of the league in points allowed in the paint, give up way too many offensive rebounds and are generally poor on defense.

Noel would help all of these things, while allowing Zion to get out on the break instead of focusing on rebounding.

Noel should also come with a fairly reasonable price tag, as he is making just $2.02 million this year and probably won’t get much of a raise.

Noel is still only 25 years old and could provide the low-cost rim protection the New Orleans Pelicans need.