From the outside looking in, it would appear that the New Orleans Pelicans have as much potential as any other team in the league over the next few years. They feel like a television sitcom that surprised its audience with a quality first season, but now has lofty expectations for season two and beyond.
They have a superstar lead actor (Anthony Davis) capable of carrying entire episodes and storylines (games) with his brilliance on both ends of the floor and an up and coming group of supporting actors (Jrue Holiday, Tyreke Evans and Eric Gordon to some degree) that tie up the loose ends when needed.
On top of the lead guys, New Orleans has super supporting players (Omer Asik and Norris Cole) that can supply either comic relief or keep the episode (game) progressing in the right direction when things start going off the rails. (Think of Creed, Stanley, Meredith and Kevin from The Office.)
However, much like in show business, no team can survive in the NBA as a real title contender without at least two superstar talents. Even LeBron James and Michael Jordan weren’t capable of winning things all by themselves. They needed help from at least one but most likely two other guys. There is a reason why LeBron continually seeks out a Big Three and not a Big Two.
With this in mind, the Pellies have to be absolutely petrified that Davis may be plotting his way out of New Orleans right as we speak.
The Pelicans are rooting hard for Davis to qualify for the “Rose Rule” so they can offer him a super max contract that can reach upwards of $145 million. Zach Lowe went further in-depth in regards to this issue in his Tuesday column for Grantland:
"They should also have a huge home-court advantage with Davis in the form of the “Rose Rule” allowing teams to offer super-max contracts to players who meet certain criteria over their first four seasons. Remember how the Pacers were lukewarm about Paul George potentially making an All-NBA team last season, since it would cost them money?That is not the case here. New Orleans is rooting like hell for the Brow to meet super-max eligibility, and the All-Star start or All-NBA appearance he needs next season should come easily. Pull that off, and the Pelicans could offer him a five-year deal worth something like $145 million. That’s about $30 million more than New Orleans could offer in a normal max deal, enough to blow away what Davis could make by leaving New Orleans early — no matter how he might work that theoretical exit.Davis would forfeit about $20 million even if he signs his qualifying offer in 2016-17, inks a max deal with another team, and finally opts out of that contract to re-sign with yet another maximum deal after his seventh or eighth season — when he’d be eligible for the larger veteran max contracts."
Even with Davis signed to such a ginormous contract, New Orleans would still have salary cap flexibility heading into the summer of 2016. Although that isn’t saying much since the cap is set to expand into the $90 million range by that time. The entire league is going to be seething with cap space and only so many teams can come out victorious in that kind of situation.
On a more positive note, having a once in a generation player like Davis locked up for the future will make New Orleans one of the more attractive destinations, you would think. At the very least, the Pelicans will have an opportunity to be in the conversation.
For the immediate future, Lowe made it sound like it is believed that the front office intends to bring back the same cast of characters as last season, including Asik and Cole. Although they are limited players, I don’t mind having them around for the future. Cole had a real affect on Davis and brought a championship swagger that was obtained from his days with LeBron in Miami. Asik is gigantic and can rebound. That still has value. Hopefully their services can be retained for the right price.
Whatever the plan is, GM Dell Demps has to know that the roster as currently constructed is not suited to be a title contender despite the heroics of The Brow. Their first round duel with the Golden State Warriors was cute, but it was not difficult to see where the Pelicans are outclassed. This is not an Oklahoma City Thunder of 2010 situation.
The Pellies may have their own version of Kevin Durant, but there are no Russell Westbrooks, James Hardens or Serge Ibakas walking through the door.
At least not yet.
Next: Stephen Curry: Top 10 Moments From His MVP Season
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