The New Orleans Pelicans still have available cap space and there are number of NBA free agents worth pursuing.
The Pels have been wheeling and dealing this offseason, trading Eric Bledsoe and Steven Adams for Jonas Valanciunas and working a sign-and-trade to send Lonzo Ball to the Bulls.
They brought in Devonte’ Graham, who is on a low-cost deal and should be a nice fit with Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram.
But the New Orleans Pelicans still have a load of cap space to play with and can add another impact free agent with some or all of it.
Here are four NBA free agents that are still available and would be a good fit.
New Orleans Pelicans: NBA free agent Dennis Schroder
It seems like the Lakers have signed just about every available free agent except their own guy Dennis Schroder, who now probably wishes he hadn’t turned down the huge offer they made to extend him.
Schroder might not get what he’s after, so if the Pelicans can get him on a cheaper deal than Lonzo Ball got, then there might be some interest.
He could slot in as the Pels’ starting point guard with Nickeil Alexander-Walker at the two, which would put Graham on the bench.
This would give the Pels a lot of scoring and depth, though their defense likely wouldn’t improve much.
I still think he is a long shot due to the contract, but he’d be a nice fit on the New Orleans Pelicans.
But there might be cheaper options that would also help.
New Orleans Pelicans: NBA free agent Justise Winslow
Justise Winslow became an unrestricted free agent after the Memphis Grizzlies did not pick up his team option.
Winslow isn’t the splashiest name, but he does provide some of what the Pelicans need and will likely come at a low cost.
Winslow can do a bit of everything, as he can defend three positions, make plays and grab rebounds.
He isn’t a good 3-point shooter, so he doesn’t help there, but he is the type of guy who does a little bit of everything to help a team win.
I think he could be a player like Draymond Green, who takes on tough defensive assignments and make plays from the forward position.
He would be a low-cost option that would allow the New Orleans Pelicans to continue to make moves.
New Orleans Pelicans: NBA free agent Kelly Oubre Jr.
There are a lot of things to like about Kelly Obure Jr. as a free agent for the New Orleans Pelicans.
He is still young, can score from the wing and has the size to defend a couple of spots. He is also from New Orleans, so would be a fan-favorite as a hometown guy.
He came on last season for the Golden State Warriors and ended up averaging 15.4 points and six rebounds as a forward.
The Pelicans could use some depth at forward, as Brandon Ingram is not a good defender and they don’t really have a complement for him right now.
Oubre Jr. could slot into the starting five and give the Pelicans a huge lineup that was versatile defensively and really hard to match up with on the offensive end.
He might be the best available option as a two-way player who is just reaching his prime.
New Orleans Pelicans: NBA free agent Lauri Markkanen
The Chicago Bulls have tied up a ton of money after trading for Lonzo Ball and DeMar DeRozan, which means Lauri Markkanen could be the odd man out.
I’ve mentioned Markkanen a few times as a fit on the Pelicans, and I think he is, as he is a 7-footer who can stroke the 3-pointer and provide spacing around Zion Williamson.
The Bulls no longer have any cap space, and even though they can go over the cap to re-sign Markkanen, I can’t see them offering much more than the qualifying offer of $9 million.
If the Pelicans wanted to bump that up to $12-15 million they could probably steal Markkanen away and still have some cap space leftover to fill out their bench.
Markkanen could slot into the starting five and give the Pelicans a massive group that was nearly impossible to guard, though they might be the worst defensive starting lineup in the league.
He could also come off the bench as the first scoring option, which might be his best role, as he does have some injury history.
The New Orleans Pelicans still have a move or two to make and might take a chance on one of these four free agents.