2016-17 Season In Review: New Orleans Pelicans Frontcourt

Mar 31, 2017; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) celebrates from the bench with forward DeMarcus Cousins (0) during the fourth quarter of a game against the Sacramento Kings at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Kings 117-89. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

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Feb 13, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Donatas Motiejunas (12) boxes out Phoenix Suns center Alex Len (21) in the first half of the NBA game at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports /

Donatas Motiejunas

14.1 MPG | 4.4 PPG | 3.0 RPG | 1.0 APG

Donatas Motiejunas’ bizarre contract standoff with the Houston Rockets led to his signing with the Pelicans in early January.

He appeared in 34 games this season for the Pelicans. However, his services were little used as he only played about 14 minutes per game with some games only getting a few spot minutes here and there.

When in the lineup, he provided very little impact. For a guy who was brought in to stretch the floor and provide playmaking, he did very little of either as he looked uncomfortable in head coach Alvin Gentry’s system.

Defensively, he wasn’t so bad. Montiejunas did a good job providing help on stretch-4s and some wings on the perimeter this season, allowing the Pelicans more defensive matchup options.

His midseason signing looks like it may be a one-year experiment as I expect the Pelicans to look for someone else to fill his role next season.

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