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New Orleans Pelicans: 2016 Offseason Grades

By Gerald Bourguet

Apr 7, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) and guard Eric Gordon (10) during the a game against the Golden State Warriors at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Warriors 103-100. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 7, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) and guard Eric Gordon (10) during the a game against the Golden State Warriors at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Warriors 103-100. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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New Orleans Pelicans
Mar 2, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Solomon Hill (44) during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Indiana won 104-99. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

Signing Solomon

With cap space and pieces like Eric Gordon, Omer Asik and Tyreke Evans that really needed to go, the Pelicans’ first major move of free agency — signing Solomon Hill to a four-year, $48 million contract — was downright disappointing.

To be fair, Hill is — on paper, at least — the prototypical two-way wing player the Pelicans have needed for years. He came to life for the Indiana Pacers in the playoffs last year, averaging 7.7 points and 4.0 rebounds per game on .452/.579/.938 shooting splits, all while doubling as a versatile stretch-4 and lockdown wing defender on the other end.

However, seven games is an exceedingly small sample size, and the Pelicans are hedging quite a hefty bet that it will translate into a breakout season for Hill in 2016-17. For a player who averaged 4.2 points per game on .447/.324/.857 shooting during the regular season, a $12 million average annual salary seems ill-advised.

Hill is only 25 years old and if he’s able to build on that breakout playoff performance, he’ll be a solid two-way wing for New Orleans, providing three-point shooting, perimeter defense and the ability to play the 4 in small-ball lineups.

But even for the NBA’s 28th ranked defense last season, the Pelicans might regret ponying up this much dough for Hill, who just might not be that good. This year’s free agency class was short on wings, but it’s hard to feel confident the Pelicans are putting the right kinds of players around Anthony Davis when they’re shelling out four-year, $48 million deals to guys like Solomon Hill.

Grade: C-

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