Exit Survey: 3 offseason goals for the electrifying New Orleans Pelicans

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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – APRIL 28: Jose Alvarado #15 of the New Orleans Pelicans looks on during the game against the Phoenix Suns at Smoothie King Center on April 28, 2022 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. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /

3 goals for the New Orleans Pelicans this offseason: 2. Continue adding depth

The Pelicans have not been known as a destination for even mid-level free agents for the longest time. Their ability to pick well later in the draft was non-existent as well. Then two things happened this year to change this narrative completely, and it is something they will have to continue to do as they build around McCollum, Ingram, and Williamson.

The Pelicans took Herbert Jones with the 35th pick last summer, and he was nothing short of a revelation. Suddenly, they had a player who cared so much about defending and gave maximum effort every night. This might seem like nothing. After all, it seems obvious. But with the trappings of NBA life, it happens less than you think. Stanley Johnson saved his career after one well-timed game of playing exceptionally hard.

So to have a rookie not earning a lot of money playing harder than most guys on the court every game was a huge boost to the Pelicans. Especially since McCollum and even Ingram aren’t exactly known for their defensive prowess. It got better, though, with the discovery of Jose (Grand Theft) Alvarado.

Undrafted last year, he signed a two-way deal with the Pelicans that meant he also had to spend time playing in the G-League. Not that he cared. Alvarado took every opportunity to show the world what an annoying pest he is on the defensive end. Those viral videos of him nicking the ball of unsuspecting opponents were great to watch.

By season’s end, he was legitimately annoying a future Hall of Famer in Chris Paul. To have found two players like this in the same draft is massive. Did any other organization do a better job in the last 12 months outside of the lottery? The Memphis Grizzlies have been adding the right guys to their group for a couple of years now, but the Pelicans truly took two individuals out of nowhere to make them key pieces of their rotation. That has to continue this coming summer.

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