Two Miami Heat centers the New Orleans Pelicans could pursue.
Kelly Olynyk: Center/Power Forward
Ideally the New Orleans Pelicans want a backup center who can protect the rim, run the floor or stretch it.
Kelly Olynyk can definitely do the latter.
The 6-foot-11 Olynyk is not a bruiser and does not protect the rim, but he has one skill the Pelicans covet, which is 3-point shooting.
Olynyk is shooting 43.2 percent from 3-point range on 3.1 attempts per game, which is best in the NBA for either centers or power forwards.
Those numbers could increase if Olynyk was on the Pelicans, as he’d have a multitude of ball handlers to run the pick-and-roll with, and would benefit greatly from the double teams that Zion Williamson is sure to draw.
Olynyk is 29-years-old and made $12.1 million this year, though he may find a suitor who is willing to pay more. If Olynyk wants to maximize his dollars this fall, then the Pelicans may very well be priced out, especially if they re-sign Derrick Favors.
This free agent crop is light on stars, so someone might open a bag for a big man who can stretch the floor like Olynyk.
He’d fit well as the primary backup to Favors, but if Favors were to walk, Olynyk wouldn’t be a great option unless the Pels got a cheaper, defensive center as well.
Meyers Leonard: Center
The seven-foot Justin Bieber is completing his first season as a full-time starter, though he plays just over 20 minutes per game on average.
Like Olynyk, Leonard’s most intriguing skill is his shooting. The Miami big man is hitting 42.9 percent of his three-point shots, though he is only taking 2.4 attempts per game.
Leonard also doesn’t play great defense or protect the rim much, so would also be a good option only if the Pels were to re-sign Favors to a cheaper deal, though Leonard is not as bad as Olynyk defensively.
Could he be a full-time starter for the Pelicans with Jaxson Hayes as his backup? This would definitely hurt the Pelicans’ defense, but Leonard is a nice fit with the Pels offensively.
Like Olynyk, his ability to run pick-and-roll and stretch the defense for Zion would open up the Pels’ offense.
He’s another one who may benefit from the lackluster free agent crop this fall, but could be an option for the Pels if Favors opts out or accepts a much smaller deal to stay.