New Orleans Pelicans: 5 possible free agents to monitor in Heat vs. Bucks
New Orleans Pelicans: Trevor Ariza brings defense and experience
Ariza was another guy I thought the Pels might have signed last offseason or pursued at the trade deadline.
He’s 35-years-old but still played productive minutes for Miami this season, playing good defense and shooting 35 percent from long-range.
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The Pels need smart, low-cost veterans who can shoot and play defense, and Ariza checks all of those boxes though he is obviously not the player he once was.
He wouldn’t be a huge signing but on a minimum deal he makes some sense for a young team that needs toughness.
New Orleans Pelicans: Free agent Nemanja Bjelica
Bjelica played most of his season in Sacramento before coming to the Heat, where he has shot the ball well.
He is the type of stretch-four the Pelicans lacked this season, as Nicolo Melli was terrible, leaving them without a big who could stretch the floor.
Bjelica is a 38 percent 3-point shooter for his career and could provide some shooting and size behind Zion Williamson. He has shot as well as 41.9 percent on 4.4 attempts per game, so could add some much needed shooting and forward depth off the Pels’ bench.