New Orleans Pelicans rumors: Why Kyle Lowry is the perfect free agent fit

The New Orleans Pelicans have been involved in a number of rumors this offseason.

Every day seems to bring a new rumor about Lonzo Ball, and there has been speculation about what the Pelicans plan to do with the 10th pick in the NBA Draft.

We’ve heard about how Zion Williamson is unhappy (or at least his family), and a number of candidates have been attached the Pels as potential head coaches.

It’s been a LONG offseason already and we aren’t even to the end of July, so we can expect more of these rumors as the offseason lingers.

The latest has the Pelicans attached to free agent Kyle Lowry, with NBA insider Marc Stein breaking the news:

New Orleans Pelicans: The Kyle Lowry rumors are not a surprise

This is interesting for a number of reasons and would answer a lot of questions about how the New Orleans Pelicans plan to build around Zion Williamson.

The Pelicans are under pressure to build a winner around Zion right away, much as they were with Anthony Davis, who eventually forced his way out of the Big Easy.

Fans are already worried this could happen with Zion, and David Griffin is on the hot seat to get this offseason right and get his superstar into the playoffs.

Some feel the Pels should be patient and build a team organically around Zion, using draft assets to add impact talent and make trades while others feel like the Pelicans need to make a big splash right now in order to keep their star happy.

Kyle Lowry would definitely fit into the second category, as he is 35-years-old and ready to win now. I actually think Kyle Lowry would be the perfect short-term piece who could help propel the Pelicans to the next level without hampering them long term.

New Orleans Pelicans: Kyle Lowry on a one-year deal makes sense

For the last several years, Kyle Lowry has just been signing one-year deals with the Toronto Raptors and then weighing his options in the offseason. This is by choice, as Lowry has already made plenty of money and would rather control his own fate.

It’s possible that he’d be willing to do this again with the New Orleans Pelicans, which would actually be the perfect situation, as they’d get a chance to see how it works out without committing any long-term money.

If the Pels can get Lowry on a one or even two year deal, it wouldn’t interfere with Zion’s looming extension or their ability to build a team around him.

The Toronto Raptors are at a crossroads and though Lowry is the face of their franchise, they might be a year from getting back into the playoffs because of the injury to Siakam. The Raptors also have the 4th pick in the NBA Draft and may feel this is the right time to move on from Lowry and draft his replacement.

If Lowry hits the open market, his willingness to take a short-term deal could make him the perfect addition for the Pelicans.

Kyle Lowry would help the New Orleans Pelicans’ defense

The Pelicans were terrible defensively once again and can use an injection of talent on that end.

Even though Lowry is 35, he is still a quality defender on the perimeter who can guard multiple positions.

Lowry has certainly lost a step or two, but he is one of the smartest team defenders in the game, and will make the Pelicans better on that end not only through his own defense, but through communicating and leading the team.

If we look at what Chris Paul was able to do for the Suns, we get an idea of how Lowry could help the Pelicans’ defense. The Suns went from the bottom third of the league to top-6 this season, partially because of Paul’s basketball I.Q. and ability on the defensive end.

The Pelicans need a smart defender and leader to take the next step as as team, and Lowry could be that guy.

Kyle Lowry could be the veteran leader the New Orleans Pelicans lack

At this stage in his career, Kyle Lowry is not going to be the best player on a good team, but he can still be the vocal leader.

Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram are the team’s cornerstones but both are fairly soft spoken and quiet players who do their talking with their play.

That is fine, but the young Pels also need a veteran leader who will occasionally get into his teammates’ faces and let them know when they have screwed up.

Lowry has played that role in Toronto and shown that he can lead a young team to a title, something he could replicate in New Orleans.

The Pelicans don’t have a guy like this and it’s not clear if Zion or BI will ever develop into that guy, so Kyle Lowry could fill the veteran void the Pelicans currently have on their roster.

New Orleans Pelicans: Kyle Lowry is a fit with or without Lonzo Ball

I have absolutely no idea what the Pelicans are going to do with Lonzo Ball and am getting sick of talking about it to be honest.

The Pelicans and David Griffin have chosen to do their talking through the rumor mill and haven’t made their intentions clear when it comes to Ball.

But I don’t see Lonzo’s status affecting Kyle Lowry much, as Lowry would work for the New Orleans Pelicans with or without Lonzo Ball.

If the Pelicans decide to re-sign Ball, then he will play off the ball just as he did while Lowry takes over the primary ball handling duties. But Lowry can play off the ball as well and has become accustomed to doing so as Fred VanVleet takes over more for the Raptors.

Both Lowry and Ball can adjust to whatever the team needs, so I see he and Lonzo being a pretty good backcourt with plus size that would be very good defensively.

If the Pelicans decide to walk away from Ball, then Lowry and Nickeil Alexander-Walker could be the new backcourt, which also offers some intriguing possibilities.

Kyle Lowry has short term appeal to the Pelicans because of his willingness to take a short contract and the veteran leadership and winning he brings.

If the New Orleans Pelicans can make it happen, Kyle Lowry could help them the way Chris Paul helped the Suns.