New Orleans Pelicans: Free Agent Options in the Southeast Division
Southeast Division
Miami Heat- Meyers Leonard
We wrote about the bevy of Miami Heat players who will hit the open market, several of which would be perfect fits on the New Orleans Pelicans. They probably can’t afford Jae Crowder or Goran Dragic and Kelly Olynyk has a player option that he is likely to exercise. Meyers Leonard might fall into the “too expensive” category, though he was a beneficiary of the unexpected jump in the salary cap and is unlikely to make as much again. He is a stretch-five who can shoot it, has a little toughness and size and would fit well on the New Orleans Pelicans if they can afford him.
Orlando Magic- D.J. Augustin
Augustin fits the mold of the veteran backup who could come in and run the second unit. He is from New Orleans, so there might be some mutual interest and Augustin can still execute the pick-and-roll with the best of them. He is not big, but has a high basketball I.Q. and would be a great mentor for the Pelicans young guards. He’d give Nickeil Alexander-Walker more time to learn the position and would solidify the bench. If Augustin would be willing to take the veteran’s minimum to come home, then this one is a no brainer.
Charlotte Hornets- Bismack Biyombo
Biyombo might be the most overpaid player in the league right now, as he is making $17 million, which his production does not warrant. He was another beneficiary of the “Summer of Money” when dumb teams were giving out huge contracts to guys like Biyombo, Meyers Leonard and Luol Deng. But Biyombo is still a pretty good rim protector, can defend multiple spots and is not going to be making anywhere near what he is making now on his next contract. On the right team, he could still be valuable.
Washington Wizards- Gary Payton II
The obvious answer here is stretch-four Davis Bertans, who would be perfect for the Pelicans, but is probably going to get paid by someone. Bertans is only making $7 million this year but is about to get a fat contract this offseason and even sat out the bubble games to make sure he was healthy. If the Pelicans were looking for cheap defense off the bench, then Gary Payton II has some value, as he averages over a steal a game in limited minutes. He’d be a deep bench option and unlikely to move the needle either way.
Now on to the Western Conference!