New Orleans Pelicans: How to fix the Pels in one offseason

New Orleans Pelicans: Free agents to target in the offseason

If the New Orleans Pelicans trade or let Redick and Melli walk, trade Bledsoe and can move off their young contracts, they should, as they need to retool this team with 3-and-D players.

But who might those be? We outlined a few low-cost guys the Pelicans could target, all of which would be upgrades for their bench.

But there are also some veterans who could be nice fits, or at least better than the rag-tag and poorly-constructed roster they currently have around Zion and BI.

For unrestricted free agents, guys like Victor Oladipo, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Evan Fournier make some sense as possible fits.

As for power forwards, PJ Tucker and Semi Ojeleye would both be guys who could add some defense and toughness to the Pelicans’ front court.

If they wanted to get into the restricted free agent market, John Collins would be worth an offer, as would Jarrett Allen and possibly even someone like Bruce Brown, who would be a low-cost and versatile defender to put next to Lonzo.

If Kawhi Leonard opts out the New Orleans Pelicans should throw the house at him but neither of those things are likely to happen.

Lauri Markkanen is a guy we have mentioned as a possible fit in the past, and Duncan Robinson could elevate the Pels’ awful shooting if he could be had for the right price.

As you can see, there is not one free agent who is going to turn the New Orleans Pelicans into a contender (though John Collins would be closest) so they are going to have to make savvy trades, find low-cost contributors and hit in the draft.