Pelica Debrief
Fansided

New Orleans Pelicans: One Free Agent to Watch in Every Western Conference First-Round Series

ByNick Alvarez|
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 31: Brandon Ingram #14 of the New Orleans Pelicans drives against Paul Millsap #4 of the Denver Nuggets during the first half of a game at the Smoothie King Center on October 31, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 31: Brandon Ingram #14 of the New Orleans Pelicans drives against Paul Millsap #4 of the Denver Nuggets during the first half of a game at the Smoothie King Center on October 31, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
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The New Orleans Pelicans could be targeting players in the Western Conference first round

Playoff basketball might be tough to watch for New Orleans Pelicans fans right now. After being one of 22 teams included in the NBA’s restart bubble, and having three star-caliber players it’s understandable that many fans are heartbroken.

Some fans are upset, they believe that the team just gave up and stopped playing hard enough. Either way, there’s no sugar-coating the fact that the team failed.

This leaves the New Orleans Pelicans organization and their fans with only one thing to do now, which is putting all their attention into the major offseason lying ahead. After all, at least there’s plenty of exciting things to speculate on.

A search for a new head coach is currently underway, the NBA Draft Lottery is on tonight, and free-agency is just around the corner. There’s more than just the offseason though. The Pelicans aren’t playing playoff basketball, but there’s still a way to connect the team to the games going on now.

With New Orleans having one of the worst defenses in the NBA and a need for complementary pieces on offense, the first round of the Western Conference playoffs could serve as an excellent free-agency primer.

These first-round match-ups are not just a chance to watch more compelling basketball but could be an excellent look at players the Pelicans could target to improve their weaknesses and add the toughness needed to go on their playoff run next season.

For every hardcore basketball fanatic that wants to watch these playoffs with a New Orleans Pelicans focus, here’s one pending free-agent from each Western Conference first-round series that could benefit the Pelicans playoff aspirations next season.