The New Orleans Pelicans were buyers at the deadline, acquiring CJ McCollum in one of the season’s biggest trades.
With the passing of All-Star weekend and the trade deadline, the attention turns to the buyout market where a few players could positively impact playoff teams.
New Orleans is in a position to entice these candidates, as their bench has been a weakness and there are minutes up for grabs in a rotation that is suddenly unbalanced and may offer opportunity for the right guy.
Of those free agents, there are some buyout candidates who could make an impact.
Potential buyout market options for the New Orleans Pelicans
Drew Eubanks
The former Spur played admirably in the backup center role for the franchise before being shipped off to Toronto. An undersized big, Eubanks brings palpable energy to any rotation, similar to Mavericks center Dwight Powell. Eubanks could feature as a rim running big with rebounding and shot-blocking capabilities as an alternative to Willy Hernangomez, especially in a lineup where coach Green wants to get up and down the court. Jaxson Hayes and Eubanks would offer an athletic combination of options with Jonas Valanciunas.
Eubanks’ block rate and rebounding rate rank first and third compared to New Orleans players. This blend would give New Orleans a solid interior presence, though he is not the same level of finisher as Hayes or Hernangomez.
Eubanks could add an element to the New Orleans Pelicans that is much needed at times.
Goran Dragic
Dragic is more than likely not an option for New Orleans since there will be several contending teams bidding for his services. Still, given his talent and history, he must be mentioned.
A crafty ball-handler, capable of playing on and off the ball, Dragic complements everything New Orleans is currently doing. Having an established veteran like Dragic would help the team on the court and add another veteran leader.
Dragic could feature in the starting lineup with CJ McCollum or come off the bench in the sixth man role. Either way, New Orleans would have two guard penetrators with size, providing a flexibility Green has desired.
Defensively, Dragic will struggle, but given the other defensive options available in the guard spot, the downgrade would not be significant at all.
KZ Okpala
KZ Okpala would indeed be a flyer for a team looking to win like New Orleans. Barely featuring in his three seasons in Miami, Okpala is a defensive wing with a slowly improving three-point shot. His lack of development with a team looking to win a title was not significant enough, but for a team like New Orleans, Okpala would be a great addition.
Okpala could bring a defensive upside off the bench, adding some energy in short bursts. It is clear Green is not set on his wing rotation with Tony Snell and Garrett Temple splitting minutes there. Temple has been an advanced stats nightmare and should be out of the rotation. Snell’s shooting is an extremely valuable skill set New Orleans needs at times, but there are question marks around his defense.
New Orleans may not feature heavily as a buyout destination. However, given their trajectory and desire to make a playoff push this season, players looking to see significant minutes in the regular season and possibly the play-in, could opt for the Pelicans.