The New Orleans Pelicans are going to be busy over the next few days, as they have some holes to fill and a sudden injection of cap space to use on NBA free agents.
The Pelicans could spread that space around, use some on retaining Lonzo Ball and Josh Hart, who are both restricted free agents after the Pels extended the qualifying offers, and try to build more depth for their roster.
But they could also throw most or all of it at one guy and Kyle Lowry is a name that has been mentioned for the Pelicans.
The Pelicans can’t afford to put all of their hope in one guy, especially after it was reported that the Miami Heat are the most likely to land him.
Lowry's long been intrigued with joining Heat star Jimmy Butler and the Miami organization, and now Miami's maneuvered to have two key elements of a possible sign-and-trade package – Goran Dragic and Precious Achiuwa -- to offer Raptors once talks can ensue at 6 PM, per sources. https://t.co/MrpMhhB7aJ
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 2, 2021
So which NBA free agents should the New Orleans Pelicans pursue if they strike out on Kyle Lowry? There are some intriguing options.
New Orleans Pelicans possible NBA Free Agents: Kelly Olynyk
Olynyk is certainly not a splashy name and there would be some Pelicans fans that wouldn’t like this move, but he does make some sense for the Pels.
He is a stretch-four who can shoot, something the Pelicans could use around Zion Williamson and Olynyk won’t likely break the bank, which means they could possibly get him and still retain Lonzo Ball.
I still have no clue what the Pelicans plans are for Lonzo, but if they keep him, Olynyk would be a decent addition as a stretch-four who averaged 13.5 points and 7 rebounds last season. He was even better in Houston, averaging 19 points and 8.4 rebounds while shooting 39.2 percent from long range.