Complete 2018 NBA offseason grades for all 30 teams

New Orleans Pelicans

Key additions: Elfrid Payton (free agency), Julius Randle (free agency), Troy Williams (free agency), Jahlil Okafor (free agency)

Key subtractions: DeMarcus Cousins (free agency), Rajon Rondo (free agency)

The jury is still out on how the New Orleans Pelicans did this summer. On the one hand, they lost DeMarcus Cousins, let Rajon Rondo go after the stellar job he did in the postseason and had to replace him with the more than underwhelming Elfrid Payton, who was so bad last year even the Phoenix Suns wanted nothing to do with him.

On the other hand, last year’s extended run without Boogie proved the Pelicans are at their deadliest with Anthony Davis playing his true position at the 5. Flank him with shooters like stretch-4 Nikola Mirotic and this team can compete with anyone not from Golden State.

Losing Boogie lowers this team’s ceiling, but coming off that Achilles tear, New Orleans may have dodged a bullet by not shelling out a long-term max contract to keep him. Now, the Brow  can embrace his true position, Mirotic will spread the floor and new arrival Julius Randle can operate either as the 4 alongside AD or a small-ball 5 wreaking havoc off the bench.

No one should expect Payton to be the answer at the point, nor should they hold their breath for meaningful minutes from Jahlil Okafor. However, if Payton can just be decent alongside Jrue Holiday in the backcourt, letting Boogie and Rondo go while embracing the roster’s small-ball destiny could mitigate the downgrades in talent.

Grade: B-