New Orleans Pelicans: 2015-16 Season Outlook
2015-16 Roster
Jeff Adrien, F
Alexis Ajinca, C
Ryan Anderson, F
Omer Asik, C
Luke Babbitt, F
Norris Cole, G
Dante Cunningham, F
Anthony Davis, F
Bryce Dejean-Jones, G
Chris Douglas-Roberts, G
Tyreke Evans, G
Alonzo Gee, F
Eric Gordon, G
Jrue Holiday, G
Sean Kilpatrick, G
Kendrick Perkins, C
Quincy Pondexter, F
Corey Webster, G
Offseason Additions
Jeff Adrien (free agent-China), Bryce Dejean-Jones (free agent-undrafted), Chris Douglas-Roberts (free agent), Alonzo Gee (free agent-Portland), Sean Kilpatrick (free agent), Kendrick Perkins (free agent-Cleveland), Corey Webster (free agent-Serbia)
Offseason Subtractions
Toney Douglas (waived), Jimmer Fredette (free agent-San Antonio), Jeff Withey (free agent-Utah)
Quick Thoughts
With a young roster already intact, the Pelicans didn’t waste any time or cap space chasing big-name free agents. When either Alonzo Gee or Kendrick Perkins is your biggest offseason acquisition, it’s pretty clear this franchise’s priority is internal development.
More from New Orleans Pelicans
- NBA Trades: This Mavericks-Pelicans swap would boost Dallas’ frontline
- NBA Trades: This Pelicans-Raptors deal would send a star to the Big Easy
- NBA Rumors: Zion’s work ethic casts doubt on his future in New Orleans
- Ranking the 10 championship-less NBA teams by closeness to title
- NBA Rumors: Zion Williamson’s days with the Pelicans may be numbered
Instead of playing the free agency market, New Orleans spent the majority of its summer re-signing its own players to extensions. Alexis Ajinca (four years, $20.2 million), Omer Asik (five years, $60 million), Luke Babbitt (two years, $2.5 million) and Dante Cunningham (three years, $9 million) all got extended this summer, but the best move the Pelicans have ever made came when they locked Davis in for the next six years with a five-year, $145 million deal.
After Eric Gordon opted in, he and the $15.5 million he’s owed for 2015-16 became un-tradeable. When Gordon and Ryan Anderson come off the books next summer, the Pelicans will have more flexibility, but for the time being, the new additions to the roster were merely to round out the fringe of the rotation.
Next: Storyline: Does Davis Have Another Leap In Him?