New Orleans Pelicans: 3 players from NBA Finals to target in free agency
The New Orleans Pelicans will have their eyes on the NBA Finals and free agency.
The New Orleans Pelicans came up short in their hunt for the playoffs this season, but with a young and exciting core coming back, they have a chance to get there next season.
They do have some weaknesses and holes to fill, namely size and defense at the forward positions, a center to replace Derrick Favors (hopefully) and potentially a backup point guard.
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They have the NBA Draft coming in November but are unlikely to get an instant contributor with the 13th pick.
That leaves free agency and trades to balance the roster and build some depth.
After signing Brandon Ingram to a contract extension, the New Orleans Pelicans aren’t going to have much money to spend, which is why they need to look for free agents who can contribute on a budget.
There are plenty of these types of players still active in the NBA Finals.
For the purposes of this article, we are only going to look at free agents that the Pelicans have a realistic chance of getting given their cap restrictions.
That means Goran Dragic, while a nice fit, probably won’t be coming to New Orleans and Anthony Davis, a guy you may remember, is not walking through that door.
Barring a trade or two, the Pelicans will be looking to fill out their roster much the same way the Lakers have: with veteran players who will take less money to be on a good team that is chasing the playoffs.
They can also go after young guys who haven’t reached their ceiling and may need a change of environment to do so.
Here are three free agents from the NBA Finals who fit the profile of what the Pelicans need and could realistically get.