Despite a promising season marred by untimely injuries and a competitive Western Conference, the New Orleans Pelicans are not content to stand pat. According to Christian Clark of NOLA.com, the Pelicans are expected to actively seek upgrades this offseason, a sentiment echoed by top basketball executive David Griffin.
Pelicans’ Performance and Griffin’s Perspective:
The Pelicans finished sixth in net rating and boasted the NBA’s best road record. Their playoff hopes were dashed by a Zion Williamson injury in the Play-In round. Griffin, reflecting on the season, emphasized the need for a more aggressive approach. “I think in the past we’ve always erred on the side of continuity,” he said, noting that the team has had ample opportunity to assess its core. “Now, we’ve got a lot of work to do.”
Key Internal Decisions:
Before pursuing external talent, the Pelicans must address several internal roster decisions:
- Jonas Valanciunas: The starting center is set to be a free agent. The Pelicans must decide whether to re-sign him or find a replacement via trade. While Larry Nance Jr. is a capable backup, his injury history makes him unreliable for starting minutes.
- Jose Alvarado: The team holds a low-cost option for Alvarado. Declining it would make him a restricted free agent, potentially leading to a higher immediate cost but more control in the long term. Accepting the option keeps him cheap for now but risks losing him as an unrestricted free agent next offseason.
- Trey Murphy III: Eligible for a rookie extension, Murphy has significantly outperformed his bench role, necessitating a starting position and a contract to match.
- Brandon Ingram: Ingram is eligible for a max contract extension but is unlikely to receive one and has been on the trade market since the offseason began. With Murphy poised to start, Ingram’s future with the team is uncertain if he expects a maximum salary.
Strategic Offseason Moves:
An aggressive offseason would likely involve trading Ingram for either a long-term point guard or a replacement center for Valanciunas. With Murphy, Herb Jones, and Williamson as entrenched starters, and C.J. McCollum potentially moving to a sixth-man role, the Pelicans need to strategically fill gaps.
Potential Targets and Trade Assets:
Identifying available talent is crucial. If the Cavaliers extend Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland might be available, attracting multiple suitors. Both Trae Young and Dejounte Murray from Atlanta could also be potential targets. As for centers, the ideal candidate would be a shooter, rim-protector, and rebounder to complement Williamson. These qualities are rare, making the search challenging.
Financial Considerations:
The Pelicans hold significant assets, including all their future draft picks and unprotected picks from the Lakers (2025) and Bucks (2027). However, salary management is critical. Re-signing Valanciunas and paying Alvarado could push them into luxury tax territory. Murphy’s new deal and any player acquired in an Ingram trade will also impact the budget.
The Pelicans aim to improve their roster while maintaining a sustainable financial model. Their willingness to spend indicates a commitment to winning, suggesting a dynamic and potentially transformative offseason for New Orleans.
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