New Orleans Pelicans: Complete 2018 offseason grades

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JULY 13: Elfrid Payton #4, General Manager Dell Demps, and Julius Randle #30 of the New Orleans Pelicans pose for a photo during a press conference on July 13, 2018 at the the Ochsner Sports Performance Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

Taking a flier on Troy Williams

After being released by the New York Knicks, the Pelicans were able to pick up small forward Troy Williams on a two-year, non-guaranteed deal, per Yahoo! Sports Shams Charania.

The 23 year-old went undrafted in 2016, spending time with the Memphis Grizzlies and Houston Rockets. He appeared in 17 games with the Knicks, averaging 7.5 points and 3.5 rebounds in 17.1 minutes per game.

Williams lacks the all-around game that many small forwards today usually have at his position. Still, he’s a skilled cutter with smart shot selection. In his career, 82.6 percent of his shots have come from 0-to-3 feet away from the basket(46.4) or from the behind the 3-point line(36.2).

On March 9, the Knicks lost to the Milwaukee Bucks, 120-112. Williams posted a season-high 18 points and five rebounds in the loss, with nearly all of his shots coming at the rim.

Williams’ ability to score and play off-ball is something that many players on the roster already possess. It would have been nice to see the Pelicans get one more skilled ball-handler or all-around player, instead.

Grade: B

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