2012-13 Vitals (as the New Orleans Hornets)
27-55, 5th in Southwest Division, 14th in Western Conference
94.1 PPG/97.9 OPP PPG
2013-14 Roster
Al-Farouq Aminu-F
Louis Amundson-F
Ryan Anderson-F
Anthony Davis-F/C
Tyreke Evans-G
Eric Gordon-G
Xavier Henry-G
Jrue Holiday-G
Pierre Jackson-G
Roger Mason Jr.-G
Darius Miller-F
Anthony Morrow-G
Arinze Onuaku-F/C
Austin Rivers-G
Brian Roberts-G
Jason Smith-F/C
Greg Stiemsma-C
Lance Thomas-F
Jeff Withey-C
Offseason Additions
Tyreke Evans (sign-and-trade from Sacramento), Jrue Holiday (trade from Philadelphia), Pierre Jackson (rookie, trade from Philadelphia), Anthony Morrow (FA from Dallas), Arinze Onuaku (FA, D-League), Greg Stiemsma (FA, waived by Minnesota), Jeff Withey (rookie, trade from Portland).
Offseason Subtractions
Terrel Harris (trade to Portland), Robin Lopez (trade to Portland), Donald Sloan (FA to Indiana), Greivis Vasquez (trade to Sacramento).
Projected Starters
PG – Jrue Holiday
SG – Eric Gordon
SF – Tyreke Evans
PF – Anthony Davis
C- Jason Smith
Season Outlook
The New Orleans Pelicans rolled the dice on former Rookie of the Year Tyreke Evans. (NBA.com photo)
The New Orleans Pelicans have a new name and new uniforms for 2013-14, but a lot of the same old problems. The Pelicans did bring in a bevy of new faces, most notably All-Star point guard Jrue Holiday in a draft-night trade with the Philadelphia 76ers, sending No. 6 overall pick Nerlens Noel to the Sixers and also getting 42nd overall pick Pierre Jackson out of Baylor, who has already signed to play in France this season.
Then New Orleans pulled the trigger on a sign-and-trade for restricted free agent Tyreke Evans, inking him to a four-year, $44 million offer sheet that the Sacramento Kings declined to match. Instead, the Kings shipped the former Rookie of the Year to the Big East, also adding rookie center Jeff Withey (the 39th overall pick by the Portland Trail Blazers), sending Terrel Harris and incumbent center Robin Lopez to Portland and swapping former starting point guard Greivis Vasquez to the Kings. The arrival of Holiday made Vasquez—who had a breakout campaign in his first full season as a starter—expendable.
The biggest question for the group the Pelicans have put together is whether or not there’s enough basketballs to meet the shooting needs of Holiday, Evans and incumbent shooting guard Eric Gordon.
For what it’s worth, Evans said he’s willing to come off the bench—which might be the best solution for coach Monty Williams.
The other potential problem is in the middle. With Lopez taking his 26 minutes, 11.3 points and 5.6 rebounds to Portland, it leaves Jason Smith as the starter at center … unless the Pelicans want to move Anthony Davis to the 5, install Ryan Anderson as the starting 4 and kiss any notion of defense goodbye.
Davis had a good, not great, rookie season after being taken No. 1 overall in 2012 and Anderson provided New Orleans with a terrific stretch 4 presence off the bench.
Ultimately, this offseason could be the one New Orleans looks back at and says, “This is where we turned the corner.” Or it could be the one Pelicans fans look back at and say, “Wow. That’s where it went wrong.” High-risk, high-reward moves aplenty.
Best-Case Scenario
The talent comes together. The Pelicans make a run for the playoffs, but ultimately fall short because they’re just too thin in the middle, but winning 30-something games bodes well for the future.
Worst-Case Scenario
Evans is unhappy with his touches and his minutes. Gordon is unhappy with his touches and his minutes. Holiday isn’t the facilitator Vasquez was and the offense bogs down. Neither Smith nor Greg Stiemsma is the answer at center, forcing the Pelicans to play even smaller with Davis at the 5. Another season with less than 30 wins dooms Monty Williams to unemployment.
Predicted Finish
36-46, 5th in Southwest Division, 12th in Western Conference
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