The Pelicans enter 2025 free agency without a ton of cap space. However, they still remain a team with some glaring holes that they need to fill to be a contender in the stacked Western Conference. The Nets remain the only team this summer with more than $30 million in cap space, so some free agents will be inclined to take lesser deals to stay in the NBA.
The Pelicans will be able to use the Taxpayer Middle Level Exception, which is projected at $5.7 million. Although that may not sound like a lot, the Pelicans can use that money to fill their biggest need, which is the backup big man spot.
NBA Champion big man
The answer is Luke Kornet. The 29-year-old will eat up all of the Taxpayer MLE, but he is worth it. With the Boston Celtics in cap hell right now due to the NBA's second apron, they will lose their prized backup big man. Kornet cannot only bring some leadership and winning experience, but also some real talent.
This past season, he averaged 6 points and 5.3 rebounds on 66.8% shooting from the field and blocked 1.0 shots per game. But Kornet's impact is way more than a box score or his stats. He is one of the best screeners in the entire NBA and thrives in the pick-and-roll. This past year, Jayson Tatum and Kornet had the second-best pick and roll by points per possession, only behind Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic.
Kornet would thrive in New Orleans in the pick-and-roll, whether with Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy, or Dejounte Murray. The Pels' points per pick-and-roll would increase hugely, as they ranked in the bottom 10 last year.
On the defensive side, Kornet is a very underrated rim protector. His growth from doing the "Kornet Contest" to actually contesting shots at a high level has been widely impressive. Kornet has grown from a guy the Celtics fans used to joke about having to a guy they don't want to lose. Look at what he did in a win-or-go-home game against the Knicks. 10 points on 5 of 5 shooting with 9 rebounds and 7 blocks. 7 blocks is the type of defensive energy the Pels need off the bench.
One of the other key things Kornet could bring is just vibes. The Pels are coming off a bottom-four finish last season and a year riddled by injuries, bringing in Luke Kornet's good vibes is something that this locker room needs.