New Orleans Pelicans: A Holiday Reunion Makes Sense

With the New Orleans Pelicans likely to lose several players from their bench, they will need low-cost veteran replacements who produce.

If you missed the last New Orleans Pelicans’ free agent profile, check out these two veterans that could help the Pels get a title.

The New Orleans Pelicans are in a tricky situation.

Their young talent is the envy of the league, but eventually these guys are going to get paid, which means they have to find cheap options to fill out the bench.

The New Orleans Pelicans have a big three of Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball, all of who will be on max contracts at some point.

Throw in expensive veterans Jrue Holiday and J.J. Redick, and there isn’t much cap room left.

Their lack of future cap, coupled with the likely departure of guards E’Twaun Moore, Frank Jackson and Kenrich Williams means the New Orleans Pelicans are going to need players to fill out the back-end of their bench.

The New Orleans Pelicans will be looking for backup guards, a backup center and possibly a wing who can come off the bench.

Justin Holiday could be a cheap option for a third guard who can still produce.

The brother of Jrue has been on seven teams in nine years, so he is no stranger to coming off the bench in a new city.

Justin Holiday would not necessarily be a game-changer for the New Orleans Pelicans, but he does a lot of the things they need out of a backup guard and will do it on a reasonable contract.

Holiday is primarily a shooting guard, but can handle and defend both guard positions, which would give the Pelicans some defensive versatility in the second unit.

The New Orleans Pelicans want to play with pace and shoot 3-pointers and Justin Holiday can do both.

Holiday shot a career-high 42.4 percent from long-range for the Indiana Pacers this season on 4.4 attempts per game.

Maybe most importantly, Holiday put up those numbers on a value contract of $4.76 million, and at age 30, might be in line for a veteran’s minimum moving forward.

If he’d take the minimum to play with his brother, Justin Holiday would be a good backup option for the New Orleans Pelicans.

He can shoot the 3-pointer, run the second unit occasionally and has plus-size at 6-foot-6, which would take some defensive pressure off Redick

If the price is right, a Holiday brothers reunion makes sense for the New Orleans Pelicans, who need cheap, veteran production next season.

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Thanks for your continued support in these tough times. Stay safe out there!