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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
Apr 25, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans players Dante Cunningham (44) and Norris Cole (30) and Quincy Pondexter (20) and Jrue Holiday (11) and Ryan Anderson (33) wait to enter the game at the start of 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 /

Overall

With Eric Gordon opting in to the final year of his contract and Jrue Holiday also on an eight-digit salary, the Pelicans didn’t really have much wiggle room. They could’ve let Omer Asik walk, but they would’ve had a hard time replacing him with a quality free agent center.

In that context, most of what New Orleans accomplished this season — re-signing four free agents while adding Gee — makes sense. The Pelicans still have business to take care of in working out a deal with restricted free agent Norris Cole, but for the most part, they took care of their most important business of the summer by throwing as much money as possible (as soon as possible) at Anthony Davis.

By locking up their franchise cornerstone through the 2020-21 season, the Pelicans have all but assured themselves a future title window. It’s the front office’s responsibility to go out and actually make that happen, but the Brow is such a transcendent talent that with the right supporting cast, he’ll be capable of leading a team to the promised land one day.

However, that doesn’t quite absolve the Pelicans of their head-scratching extensions for Omer Asik and Alexis Ajinca — two useful frontcourt players who are nowhere near fitting of the description, “ideal supporting cast for Anthony Davis.”

New Orleans is banking on internal development, a new head coach and Anthony Davis’ world-devouring superpowers to show significant improvement in 2015-16. The Pelicans didn’t need a flashy offseason in order to set themselves up for that goal, but they still executed their game plan, albeit with a few hits and a few misses.

Grade: B-

Next: Miami Heat: Grading The Offseason

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