New Orleans Pelicans: One Free Agent to Watch in Every Western Conference First-Round Series
By Nick Alvarez
Nerlens Noel could be the perfect rim-protector for the New Orleans Pelicans
Nerlens Noel, Center- Oklahoma City Thunder
This one was obvious, out of all the players playing in the Rockets-Thunder series, no one would be more beneficial to the New Orleans Pelicans than Nerlens Noel.
The New Orleans Pelicans this past season were one of the worst teams in the NBA when it came to defending in the paint, they were just absolutely abysmal. Nerlens Noel could turn that all around.
Noel at just 26 years old has turned his career around in Oklahoma City after being labeled as a bust. It might be time for him to get a starting job because of it. Standing at 6′ 10″ with an imposing 220lbs frame, Noel would be an ideal rim-protector for the New Orleans Pelicans.
On offense, he could also play well as a tough screener and easy lob-threat. He could also serve an excellent mentor to young center Jaxson Hayes which could in turn create a devasting one-two punch for the Pelicans at the five spot.
Noel would also be much more pricey though, so if the New Orleans Pelicans would want him, then the team would definitely have to move J.J. Redick’s contract off the books to make it happen.
Honorable Mentions:
Andre Roberson, Foward- Oklahoma City Thunder
DaMarre Carroll, Foward- Houston Rockets
The New Orleans Pelicans are entering the off-season in a cap-crunch so it will be hard for the team to acquire any marquee free agents.
That doesn’t mean that a veteran playing in these playoffs couldn’t play a valuable role for this team next season.
Even if they don’t at least it makes the first-round playoff series a better watch for New Orleans Pelicans fans.