New Orleans Pelicans: What to do with Kenny Hustle?

The New Orleans Pelicans should re-sign Kenrich Williams

Williams has not done much for the New Orleans Pelicans and even his nickname Kenny Hustle seems a bit much for a guy who has barely played.

Williams’ numbers went down across the board after a promising start with the Pelicans, especially his shooting, but it’s important to remember that Williams was injured.

Williams’ back injury almost certainly affected his shot, as few players go from league average 3-point shooters to absolutely terrible in one offseason.

Now that Williams is at full strength, his long-range shot should at least get back to where it was last season, around 33.3 percent on 3.4 attempts per game.

We know Williams can play defense, but if he can elevate his long-range shooting, he might be the 3-and-D wing the Pelicans desperately need.

He was part of one of the Pelicans’ best lineups, showing that his defense can work with small-ball lineups with Jaxson Hayes at center.

The Pels lack wing defenders, and would ideally like to find a guy who can lockdown the other team’s best wing so that Brandon Ingram can do his thing on offense.

Williams could be that guy.

The Pelicans lacked focus and energy at times, especially in the 2nd unit, and could really use a guy who does all of the little things, who plays hard all of the time, who hustles for loose balls and gets deflections, a guy like Williams.

The other intriguing part of Williams is his salary. He’ll be a restricted free agent, whose qualifying offer is $1.90 million.

When you consider it would take $7 million to retain Darius Miller, Williams looks like a bargain in comparison.

The Pelicans are going to need a few low salary guys who produce, as they won’t have much cap space to fill out their bench. They will almost certainly find one or two in the draft, but Williams provides a more known commodity.

Williams could be that value guy who outplays his contract, the way Josh Hart has so far with the Pelicans. Keeping a steady stream of low paid producers is how you keep your team competitive with three max players on the payroll.

Williams is only 25 and should be entering his prime, so the Pelicans could potentially get the 3-and-D wing they need at a discount through his best years.

It’s a risk worth taking.

There are intriguing reasons for re-signing Williams, but just as many reasons the New Orleans Pelicans should walk away.

They will have a lot of tough decisions to make this summer and the fate of Kenrich Williams is one of them.