5 Worst free agent signings in New Orleans Pelicans history

Omer Asik got paid, paid to play the same position as Anthony Davis. 

After a rockstar campaign where Omer Asik averaged 5.8 PPG/7.9 RPG/0.8 BPG in 20.2 minutes of action per game for the Rockets (at this point, we hope you caught the sarcasm), the Pelicans felt it wise to sign the big man to a five-year, 58-million dollar deal (with 45 million dollars guaranteed).

Ultimately, all that contract manifested into was 4.9 PPG/7.2 RPG/0.5 BPG on 19.9 minutes per game in his four seasons with the franchise.

Unlike with the Randle signing, this pick has very little to do with hindsight. In fact, most of the problems that would plague Asik’s tenure in New Orleans were present at the time of the signing.

First, he provides very little offensive value (career averages of 5.3 PPG and 0.6 APG). Second, he plays the same position as their best player at the time (even then, Davis should have been playing center). And third, he wasn’t a game-changing defender who could compensate for his lack of offensive value on that end of the court. After his second season in the league, his block percentage never was over the 54th percentile for his position (per Cleaning the Glass).

We ultimately had Asik number one on our list over Hill because his deal was longer and cost the organization more money.