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The New Orleans Pelicans have been hyper-focused on pulling off one move, but still have to be prepared for the situation where they are not able to pull it off.
The only rumored moved that the Pelicans have been in on is going after Los Angeles Clippers restricted free agent Bennedict Mathurin. The wait is on the ability to move off of some of their bad contracts in order to open up some money for a mid-level exception.
If that wait costs them their chance to sign Mathurin, some other offensive wing options on the market could also pique their interest. Both in similarly young, developing players and more veteran bridge options.
New Orleans has done a lot of research into this market, so it would be a shock to see them not walk away with someone, even if they aren't on this list:
Kuminga is in a similar spot to Mathurin. Their original teams held on too long, and now the value is much lower than it would have been a few years ago. Still, this is a former No. 7 pick who can at least score and rebound. The Pelicans weren't interested when the Golden State Warriors wanted to trade Kuminga for Trey Murphy, but going after him in free agency or a small sign-and-trade wouldn't be a disaster.
Watson would likely be the most expensive of the options on this list, given that he is someone that contenders will go after, but if New Orleans can trade Jordan Poole, then they could at least afford the money side of his negotiations. If they want to go after a young wing to add to their core, they might as well go after one who actually does what they need.
The Nuggets forward, turning 24 next month, put up 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists on 49.1/41.1/73.0 shooting splits last year. He is someone would be more of a long-term option with Fears/Queen than Herb Jones on the wing, who is a little older.
The market isn't extensive for DeRozan right now, a 17-year NBA veteran, but he has shown that he can still put up points. His defense has taken a dip with age, of course, but that wouldn't be his role if the Pelicans went after him. The soon-to-be 37-year-old posted 18.4 points per night last season on 49.7/32.0/86.8. He might now add to the floor spacing, but neither do Kuminga or Mathurin.
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The only rumored moved that the Pelicans have been in on is going after Los Angeles Clippers restricted free agent Bennedict Mathurin. The wait is on the ability to move off of some of their bad contracts in order to open up some money for a mid-level exception.
If that wait costs them their chance to sign Mathurin, some other offensive wing options on the market could also pique their interest. Both in similarly young, developing players and more veteran bridge options.
New Orleans has done a lot of research into this market, so it would be a shock to see them not walk away with someone, even if they aren't on this list:
Atlanta Hawks RFA F Jonathan Kuminga
Kuminga is in a similar spot to Mathurin. Their original teams held on too long, and now the value is much lower than it would have been a few years ago. Still, this is a former No. 7 pick who can at least score and rebound. The Pelicans weren't interested when the Golden State Warriors wanted to trade Kuminga for Trey Murphy, but going after him in free agency or a small sign-and-trade wouldn't be a disaster.
Denver Nuggets RFA F Peyton Watson
Watson would likely be the most expensive of the options on this list, given that he is someone that contenders will go after, but if New Orleans can trade Jordan Poole, then they could at least afford the money side of his negotiations. If they want to go after a young wing to add to their core, they might as well go after one who actually does what they need.
The Nuggets forward, turning 24 next month, put up 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists on 49.1/41.1/73.0 shooting splits last year. He is someone would be more of a long-term option with Fears/Queen than Herb Jones on the wing, who is a little older.
Free Agent G/F DeMar DeRozan
The market isn't extensive for DeRozan right now, a 17-year NBA veteran, but he has shown that he can still put up points. His defense has taken a dip with age, of course, but that wouldn't be his role if the Pelicans went after him. The soon-to-be 37-year-old posted 18.4 points per night last season on 49.7/32.0/86.8. He might now add to the floor spacing, but neither do Kuminga or Mathurin.
Continue reading...
