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New Orleans Pelicans: 5 former Pels that would help in 2020

By Eliot Clough

DENVER - APRIL 13: P.J. Brown #42 of the New Orleans Hornets looks up at the clock after a timeout against the Denver Nuggets in the second half on April 13, 2005 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. The Nuggets won 116-102. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowleges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
DENVER - APRIL 13: P.J. Brown #42 of the New Orleans Hornets looks up at the clock after a timeout against the Denver Nuggets in the second half on April 13, 2005 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. The Nuggets won 116-102. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowleges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /
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New Orleans Pelicans Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images
New Orleans Pelicans Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images /

3. Nikola Mirotic

In his two half-seasons with the franchise, Nikola Mirotic displayed that he can do just about anything one could ask of a power forward in today’s NBA.

Playing opposite of Anthony Davis a majority of the 2017-2018 season after DeMarcus Cousins went down with a season-ending Achilles tear, Mirotic showed off his ability to the tune of scoring 14.6 points, grabbing 8.2 rebounds and allowing just .77 points per possession defensively, according to Synergy.

In his second stint with the Pels, Mirotic played in tandem once again with Davis, improving in both statistical categories, bumping up to 16.7 points and 8.3 rebounds per game.

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While the Montenegro native isn’t necessarily that grit and grind player like the previously mentioned Brown and Magloire, Mirotic adds a scoring skill to the power forward and center positions the other two don’t.

Adding another jump shooter in the frontcourt makes this team all the more scary offensively. Let alone a guy in the frontcourt with that capability opposite of Zion.

Mirotic isn’t the greatest defender in the world, but he would provide enough value offensively to compensate for the nights when the slow-footed European stereotype becomes evident.

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