Although the New Orleans Pelicans are on the up-and-up, the current roster still could use some help. Some of these former Pels could help in 2020.
The New Orleans Pelicans have been on the rise since their season began to turn around in mid-December.
Along with the return of Zion Williamson in late January, Lonzo Ball has begun to shoot lights out from 3-point land, the defense has ascended from being ranked dead-last to 18th in the league, Brandon Ingram has continued his All-Star level play and New Orleans’ ball-movement is near unparalleled throughout the NBA.
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That doesn’t mean this roster has zero holes in it. It’s tough to find many teams that don’t lack something. Among today’s best teams, the LA Clippers would certainly prefer to not worry about load management with Kawhi Leonard, the Milwaukee Bucks could use more shooting and depth at point guard, the Los Angeles Lakers don’t have a single player on their roster (who attempts more than one 3-pointer a game) that shoots over 40 percent from deep, and the list goes on.
For the Pelicans, defense is still an issue. As the offense has continued to flourish under head coach Alvin Gentry’s system and Ball’s play at point guard, the Pels can score 120 points night in and night out. The issue is when they let up 125.
Not to mention, whenever New Orleans has had to face the likes of LeBron James and the Lakers, Jrue Holiday is the primary defender on the 6’9″ 250-pound, 16-time All-Star. Holiday is an excellent defender but stands at 6’3″, 205 pounds. Not ideal when matched up with arguably the greatest player of all-time.
Beef and tenacity on the defensive end would be greatly appreciated for the Pels on this current roster.
Given the youth that plays such a major factor in the team identity, throwing in another veteran to the lineup that already includes multi-year veterans E’Twaun Moore, J.J. Redick, Derrick Favors and Holiday would unquestionably benefit New Orleans as well.
As the Pels continue their ascension to playoff relevancy, adding another guy who’s been there before is more than valuable. Playoff basketball is different than regular season basketball, and the addition of a player who’s been there and done that would do wonders for a team that has just three players over the age of 29.
With few other glaring needs, every team could use more shooting. While the New Orleans Pelicans ranked third in 3-pointers made on the season, the formula for success in today’s league is always shoot, shoot, shoot (and play at least somewhat respectable defense) and one can ever have too many guys who can knock down jumpers.
Now, what’s our selection pool look like?
For those of us who don’t want to talk about him who must not be named in the purple and gold, it’s best to avoid even thinking about adding players who are currently in the NBA. Thus, our options dwindle, especially considering the short-lived tenure of the Hornets and Pelicans franchise in New Orleans.
With that stipulation in place, we also seek the players that fit at least one component of the previous descriptions of needs, a role that compliments the current structure of the team rather than simply adding the best former members of the franchise to the roster.
We’ll start with a few that just missed the cut.