Possible Free Agents for the New Orleans Pelicans: Readers’ Choice Recap

Strengths: Running the pick-and-roll, veteran leadership

Weaknesses: Running the fast break, on-the-ball defense, shooting, size

Key Statistics: 39.3 percent field goal percentage, 34.5 percent 3-point shooter

How he fits with the Pelicans:

It is no secret that the New Orleans Pelicans’ bench struggled for a few weeks leading up the hiatus.

This is largely because they stopped hitting long-range shots and had no one to run the offense when one of Lonzo Ball or Jrue Holiday was not on the floor.

With the luxury of two primary ballhandlers in Ball and Holiday it may not seem necessary for the New Orleans Pelicans to need another point guard.

But Frank Jackson is on the last year of his contract and might be priced out of the Pelicans’ range and there is a possibility that they will have to trade Holiday in the offseason.

That being said, finding a veteran point guard who can run the bench unit could end up being a priority for the New Orleans Pelicans.

D.J. Augustin could be a nice fit.

He runs the pick-and-roll well and would bring some stability to the floor in the absence of Ball or Holiday.

Augustin is a smart, 32-year-old veteran who brings a bag of tricks he could pass on to the young guys, but still has enough in the tank to contribute.

Augustin’s shooting has been down this year, but he is a career 37.9 percent shooter from 3-point range, though he’s never taken a lot of them.

His lack of speed and size don’t necessarily fit in with what the New Orleans Pelicans are trying to do, which is play with pace and launch 3-pointers, but he could come in and run the offense if the long-range shots aren’t falling.

He will also likely come cheap, especially if he decides to prioritize winning over salary.

The New Orleans Pelicans are going to need to find inexpensive players who can still produce, so Augustin might make sense as the backup on the right deal.