As NBA offseason drama dies down, the New Orleans Pelicans still have business to take care of. After a disappointing campaign in 2022-23 that saw the Pelicans fall from the top of the Western Conference standings to the bottom and miss the playoffs, changes must be made.
One of those changes needs to be sustained health for Zion Williamson. If he can remain on the floor for the majority of the season, it will go a long way toward helping New Orleans achieve their potential. At his best, Williamson is an All-NBA level player that completely changes the Pelicans’ outlook.
But New Orleans should also be keeping their finger on the pulse of the NBA free agent market. CJ McCollum and Jonas Valanciunas are currently the oldest rostered players for the Pelicans at 31 years old, and they could stand to add a veteran locker room presence. In particular, they may want to look at a backup point guard.
1. Ish Smith
The definition of a seasoned veteran, Ish Smith just finished up his 13th season in the NBA. Smith’s professional career can be best attributed to that of a journeyman, as he has played for a record 13 NBA teams since his debut in 2010.
Many Pelicans fans will remember his stint with New Orleans in 2015. The Pelicans signed Smith on the day before the season opener in October, and he averaged 8.9 points and 5.7 assists in just 27 games with the team. Eventually, New Orleans traded him to the 76ers in the last week of December for two second-round picks.
Since then, Ish has played for four new teams. Last season, he helped the Denver Nuggets win the 2023 NBA championship. Even though he may be past his prime in terms of physical abilities, Smith showed that he can still be a vital piece to a championship team.
The Pelicans should unquestionably consider signing Smith. He would not be a guy expected to play heavy minutes, but his presence around a team of mostly young players would be invaluable. On a veteran minimum deal, he may be the perfect addition.
2. George Hill
It just so happens that most of the best point guards remaining on the free agent market are unsigned veterans, and George Hill is no exception. Playing last season with the Milwaukee Bucks and Indiana Pacers, Hill returned to the city where he first made a name for himself in the NBA at the February trade deadline.
When Hill was first traded to the Pacers in 2011 for the draft rights to Kawhi Leonard, he joined a group of talented players that included Paul George and Danny Granger. Banding together with some other talented role players, Hill helped Indiana achieve the top record in the East as well as the Eastern Conference Finals in 2014.
From there, he departed to Utah in 2016 and saw one of the best statistical seasons of his career with the Jazz. Since then, Hill has been on six different teams, but he continues to bring veteran floor general skills and a strong locker room presence wherever he goes.
Hill could be a solid option as a backup ball handler for New Orleans’ bench. Over the course of his career, he has shot greater than 40% from three in four separate seasons. If the Pelicans want someone who can be a sneaky good threat from outside, Hill could be their man.
3. John Wall
Unfortunately, injuries are part of the game of basketball. While some NBA players may have a gradual decline in quality of play due to natural aging, others experience a more sharp fall off due to injuries. The latter is the case for the former number-one pick from the 2010 NBA draft, John Wall.
When he came into the league, Wall was a speedy and bouncy athlete that could get by almost any defender in the entire league. While never a master of efficiency, Wall’s incredibly quick first step gave him an edge in slashing through defenses. In five of his first nine seasons in the NBA, Wall was an All-Star with the Washington Wizards.
But injuries started to add up for him in his ninth year. He suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in 2019 that caused him to miss the entire 2019-20 season. When he finally returned from recovery, Wall was traded to the Houston Rockets, where he would have an excellent bounce-back season in 2020-21.
As part of a mutual agreement with the Rockets, Wall sat out the 2021-22 season while the team developed their young talent. After that season, he moved on to the Los Angeles Clippers, where he showed he still has something left in the tank. In 34 games with Los Angeles last season, Wall facilitated for Paul George and Kawhi Leonard while averaging the fewest turnovers per game of his career.
If the Pelicans are looking for a low-risk, high-reward option, Wall would seem like the obvious choice.
4. Goran Dragic
In 2023, international players are valued more than ever, and for good reason. Players like Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo have completely taken over the league. Anyone who comes into the NBA with prior professional experience overseas seems to automatically have a greater chance of success.
Goran Dragic is another player who entered the United States with multiple years of European professional experience, and it has led to him having an opportunity in the NBA for the last 15 seasons. Spending time with the Phoenix Suns, Rockets, Miami Heat, and others, Dragic has been part of winning teams for over a decade.
He just finished up 2022-23 with both the Chicago Bulls and Bucks, and he looks to still be a reliable contributor in spurts. Dragic has always hung his hat on his tenacious defense and excellent passing ability. Those are things he still brings to the table.
While he is far past his prime at 36 years old, Goran Dragic could be the right fit in New Orleans if the Pelicans want a good locker room leader that can still produce positive minutes. He would be able to come in and play no more than 10-12 minutes a night, which could be the sweet spot the team is hoping for.
5. D.J. Augustin
While he is not the oldest player on this list, D.J. Augustin has gone the longest since appearing in an NBA game. A lottery pick in 2008, Augustin has played for 11 different franchises. Standing just 5-foot-10, he is part of a dying breed of players shorter than six feet tall.
In that way, his 15-year professional career is that much more admirable. Last appearing in a game for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2022, Augustin signed with the Rockets for the 2022-23 season but never actually made an appearance with the team.
Now looking for a new home, Augustin brings with him experience playing with some of the best players in the business. Having played alongside LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo, George, and others, Augustin may not have an NBA championship ring, but he knows the habits of champions.
If the Pelicans are looking to fill their final roster spot with a veteran, there is no reason for them not to take a flyer on Augustin. With New Orleans being home to a plethora of young talent, someone like Augustin could be a fantastic end-of-the-bench piece. If the Pelicans reach the playoffs, his experience in that setting would provide a significant boost.