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New Orleans Pelicans: Grading The Offseason

By Gerald Bourguet

Apr 25, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) reacts after a score by the Golden State Warriors during the fourth quarter in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at the Smoothie King Center. The Warriors defeated the Pelicans 109-98. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 25, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) reacts after a score by the Golden State Warriors during the fourth quarter in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at the Smoothie King Center. The Warriors defeated the Pelicans 109-98. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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New Orleans Pelicans
Feb 4, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) drives past Oklahoma City Thunder center Kendrick Perkins (5) during the second half of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Thunder defeated the Pelicans 102-91. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

The Perks Of Perkins

As if giving Asik and Ajinca a combined $17 million a year wasn’t enough, the Pelicans’ frontcourt (excluding the Brow, of course) became something of a laughingstock when the world learned that New Orleans was bringing Kendrick Perkins onboard.

That being said, there’s really no reason to heavily criticize this one-year deal worth the veteran minimum.

Though he’s only 30 years old, everyone knows that Kendrick Perkins is washed up. His frequent playing time with the Oklahoma City Thunder was one of the many criticisms of head coach Scott Brooks and he hardly played for the Cleveland Cavaliers last season. He’s a step slow, he’s offensively inept and other than a couple of seasons when he was Dwight Howard kryptonite, Perkins hasn’t held his own defensively lately either.

That being said, as long as Gentry doesn’t suddenly lose his mind and start giving Perkins minutes, there should be no problem here. The real reason Perkins is in New Orleans is to mentor Anthony Davis. The Brow has frequently said he sees similarities between himself and Kevin Garnett; Perkins’ mean streak might help bring that type of competitive insanity out of Davis.

This is a low risk move that could very well unleash the monster inside. Just as long as Perkins doesn’t actually get any minutes, there’s little reason to criticize.

Grade: B-

Next: Overall

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