New Orleans Pelicans: 3 players from NBA Finals to target in free agency

New Orleans Pelicans realistic free agents from NBA Finals: Derrick Jones

Derrick Jones

Unlike the first two players, Derrick Jones is not an experienced veteran with playoff chops.

He’d be much more in the “take a risk on potential” category of free agents, as Jones is only 23-years-old and hasn’t gotten a ton of run with the Heat.

He’s been out of the rotation for most of the playoffs, and if the Heat decide to bring back some of their veteran free agents in the offseason, Jones may be the odd man out.

Jones is another guy who potentially fits what the Pelicans need: he is a long wing with elite athleticism and active hands who could eventually be a plus-defender.

He is not there yet as a defender and doesn’t shoot the ball well, but Jones can run the floor and knows how to finish:

Adding this walking highlight to a team that already has Zion Williamson and Lonzo Ball would make the Pelicans one of the most exciting teams in the league and a mainstay on ESPN.

The Heat are high on Jones as a prospect but may not be able to keep him depending on what they do in the offseason. He is still on a rookie deal that pays him just $1.64 million.

Jones will get a raise but it should be a modest one that the Pelicans could afford. Would they want to spend most of their cap on a wing prospect who can’t shoot?

Would Jones’ athleticism and defensive potential be worth taking that risk?

These are fair questions but Jones is an interesting player who should be on the Pels’ radar.

The NBA Finals should be an exciting matchup between two very good teams, but the Pelicans will spend more time watching players that could be a fit on theirs.