NBA free agency is only in day two but the New Orleans Pelicans have already been busy.
They shipped Lonzo Ball to the Chicago Bulls in a sign-and-trade after apparently not wanting to match the Bulls’ 4 year/$84 million offer.
David Griffin then worked a sign-and-trade with the Hornets for Devonte’ Graham, who will make half as much as Lonzo Ball and may ultimately be a better fit for the Pelicans.
But the Pelicans still have a considerable amount of cap space leftover, have the MLE at their disposal, so hopefully David Griffin has a plan for what to do with it.
The Pelicans likely still need another starting-caliber player depending on how they feel about Graham, who is probably best served as a scorer off the bench.
They might be able to find one in free agency, as the Pelicans have as much as $24 million left to spend depending on what they do with their own guys.
If we assume Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram and Jonas Valanciunas are four of the starters and Graham is the first man off the bench, is there a free-agent who makes sense?
Here are the best remaining.
New Orleans Pelicans NBA free agency: DeMar DeRozan
As of the time of writing this, DeMar DeRozan is still a free agent. He is not the best fit with the Pelicans and he may end up getting a bigger deal than they are able to offer, so I see him as a long shot.
DeRozan would offer some scoring stability and size but he’s also most comfortable in the mid-range, and the Pelicans are looking for players who spread the floor.
I like him from a talent and leadership standpoint but I don’t see him as a great fit and I think the Pelicans will look elsewhere.
New Orleans Pelicans NBA free agency: Lauri Markkanen
Lauri Markkanen is a restricted free agent, but now that the Bulls have spent most of their money on Lonzo Ball, they aren’t likely to match too many deals.
Markkanen is a controversial player, as he is a 7-footer who can shoot the 3-ball but has also had some injury concerns and isn’t the greatest defender.
If the Pelicans really wanted him, they could probably steal him from the Bulls and he would give them another big shooter to put around Zion Williamson.
They could run out a massive starting five that was pretty much impossible to defend, but would also have a hard time getting stops. The Pels would have a dynamic offense, but their defense might get even worse.
Danny Green
Danny Green is a veteran shooter that I hope the Pelicans target in free agency.
They will have more than enough cap space to get him, he has great experience with three rings, shoots more than 40 percent from 3-point range and can defend his position.
He is 34-years-old but still played at a high level last season and would be a great veteran addition to the Pels’ bench.
New Orleans Pelicans NBA free agency: Dennis Schroder
Schroder reportedly turned down a 4 year/ $84 million extension with the Lakers and he may end up regretting it.
So far he’s had no big offers but teams probably know what it will take to get him, which is similar to what Lonzo Ball just got from the Bulls.
If that’s the case, I can’t see the Pelicans going this direction or they would have just kept Lonzo Ball.
Schroder would be an interesting fit and would give the Pels a penetrating guard in the starting lineup. A five-man lineup of Schroder, NAW, Zion, BI and Valanciunas has some appeal, but I don’t think David Griffin had him in mind when he decided to pass on Lonzo.
This would eat up most of the Pels’ remaining cap space, and while they might be marginally better with Schroder, it’s a hefty price to pay for a guy who probably won’t move the needle.
I can’t see this one.
New Orleans Pelicans NBA free agency: John Collins
John Collins is a guy I’ve long thought would be a nice fit in New Orleans, as he can shoot the 3-ball, has great size and adds some rebounding from the wing.
He would be a great complement to Brandon Ingram and give the Pelicans a solid third option in their starting five.
The question is how much he’s going to get?
He and Atlanta are reportedly not close on an extension, which tells me Collins is asking for a massive pay raise. The Pelicans would definitely have to use all of their remaining cap space to get him and still might come up short.
I really love Collins as a basketball fit, but financially it is going to be tough, as he is likely to get a huge offer from someone and has some interest in staying in Atlanta.
I see Collins as another long shot that is closer to impossible given the salary.
The New Orleans Pelicans aren’t done dealing, but there may not be one big free-agent name who makes sense. They could still make a trade using their cap space and they still have assets to make a deal, but I wouldn’t expect too many big names in free agency.