New Orleans Pelicans: 5 free agent targets to pair with Zion Williamson
By Dalton Sell
New Orleans Pelicans targets in 2021 NBA Free Agency: 3. Alec Burks
In addition to floor spacing, the Pelicans desperately need to add bench scoring. Their second unit ranked low with the 26th-fewest average in points during the regular season with 32.5 per game. One player that could kill two birds with one stone alongside Williamson would be Alec Burks.
Burks had a stellar season with the New York Knicks by averaging 12.7 points on .420/.415/.856 shooting splits, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game. The guard provided a dose of instant offense off the bench from the moment he checked in every time this season with his sweet shooting, particularly from behind the arc. Shooting a career-high five attempts from deep on average, Burks let it fly with confidence by connecting on a career-best 41.5 percent of those tries.
The Pelicans would undoubtedly welcome aboard a player like that with open arms if it meant he could shore up their shooting and scoring efforts in the reserve unit. The savvy veteran would be a solid fit alongside Williamson and Brandon Ingram to put another high-octane scorer and capable playmaker on the floor with this young tandem. The free-agent market for Burks will be cloudy as he is far from the gaudiest guard set to hit the open market this offseason. Yet, for a team like New Orleans that is in the hunt for a player of his stature, he would be a fitting target.