With the summer winding down, the New Orleans Pelicans may potentially add a young wing to their roster with their offer sheet to Tyrone Wallace.
For the most part, there are very few signings that take place during the latter stages of the NBA offseason. Even then, the signings that do occur rarely impact the team’s roster significantly, so they are often brushed aside in the news cycle. However, the New Orleans Pelicans may have added a dynamic guard/wing in Tyrone Wallace that could help them win a few more games in the upcoming season.
As The Athletic‘s Shams Charania first reported, Wallace agreed to an offer sheet with the Pelicans, with ESPN‘s Ian Begley reporting that it is a two-year contract at the minimum and is partially guaranteed. This signing is no done deal, as the Los Angeles Clippers have the ability to match the offer for their restricted free agent.
Given the Clippers’ depth in the backcourt, it is very possible that they decide to move on from the 24-year-old, thereby focusing on their veteran guards and recent draft picks.
With the Pelicans adding Elfrid Payton in the offseason to join Jrue Holiday and young guard Frank Jackson in the backcourt, how does Wallace potentially fit in the team’s rotation? Let’s take a closer look.
Pelican Debrief
While Wallace is listed as a point guard (and played 64 percent of his minutes at the one last season), he is 6’5″ and able to effectively guard three positions. As a result, Wallace will be able to slot in at the 2 or 3 for New Orleans, something the team desperately needs in the upcoming season.
While E’Twaun Moore and Darius Miller will receive significant playing time at those positions due to their elite shooting, Wallace should be able to carve out consistent minutes due to his defense and tenacity. Wallace uses quick hands and solid instincts to create turnovers and catch offensive players off guard.
For the most part, Wallace graded out as a positive defender last season and the Clippers’ defense was 2.2 points per 100 possessions better with Wallace on the floor last year. Simply put, Wallace’s calling card is his defensive abilities and potential, as with more coaching and NBA experience he should be able to develop into a more consistent defender on the wing and in the backcourt.
Wallace had a few breakout games last season, but perhaps none were as eye-opening as his performance against the Golden State Warriors in January, where Wallace showed off those defensive tools and some impressive offensive play, mainly through his ability to attack the rim and find teammates for quality shots:
While Wallace has never been a shooter, he has shown the ability to finish at the rim, hitting 66.7 percent of his shots within 3 feet of the rim last season. His unusual footwork and craftiness allows him to blow by or execute around big men in the paint.
As mentioned earlier, it’s likely that Wallace would receive minutes at both guard positions and even small forward this season as a result of matchups and the Pelicans’ need for quality wings. If Solomon Hill continues to provide very little value, the team will desperately need quality defensive wings, and Wallace can fit that role in spurts.
Additionally, if Frank Jackson struggles in his true rookie season, Wallace could become the primary backup point guard, a role he became comfortable in with his time with the Clippers last season. When it comes down to it, Wallace is a versatile defender and player that can fit in several spots, making his path to consistent minutes a bit more clear in New Orleans.
Should the Clippers decide not to match the offer sheet, New Orleans added another young player to their roster to go along with Payton and Julius Randle. Like Payton and Randle, Wallace should be able to thrive in New Orleans while providing much-needed defense on the perimeter as the team looks to be a true playoff contender in the upcoming campaign.