2019 New Orleans Pelicans Off-Season Preview
2storm OverviewThe New Orleans Pelicans have had a really confusing season. They had a lot of controversy about the Anthony Davis situation. They fired their GM Dell Demps and replaced him with one of the best executives ever, David Griffin. Then finally they landed the 1st pick and got the ability to draft a future great. So without further ado let's jump into the Pelicans Off-Season Preview.
Staff
I love how the Pelicans added David Griffin to their front office. He is an NBA Champion and he knows what he is doing. I honestly don't know if Alvin Gentry is the best coach for the job, but I guess he is good for now. I like Chris Finch as the associate head coach. He is known as an offensive mastermind in the league.
Draft
The Pelicans have the number one pick and I think we all know who they will take. Zion has a really good game and has very few weaknesses. They also have the 39th pick. They're a few players the Pels can take with this pick. They can maybe get Admiral Schofield which would be a steal. Schofield is a high level scorer and he can shoot very well. He is a high level athlete and I think he is one of the most underrated players in the draft, but their is a good chance he won't be available. Dylan Windler is another player that just plays the game right. Like Schofield he is a great scorer, but he probably won't be available either. Carsen Edwards is a player they can realistically get. He can shoot which is great around Zion. He just plays with confidence which you will need. Ty Jerome is another player that the Pelicans should be interested in. He is great shooter and he is a leader. Tacko Fall is a another player I have heard a lot about. He is a great defender and he really got under Zion. He is easily one of tallest players in the world. I think the Pelicans should take a look at him. The Pelicans also have the 57th pick. If any of those guys I talked about are still there you got to grab them. If none of them are available I think they should look at Jaylen Hands. Now of course a Anthony Davis trade or a Jrue Holiday trade must be looked at. For the Davis trade of course there's the Knicks. I think the Knicks can make an interesting package. The 3rd pick, Dennis Smith Jr., Mitchell Robinson, and Frank Ntilikina and a protected pick in the future looks good to me. Plus you could maybe get off of Solomon Hill's contract. I think the Clippers, Lakers, Knicks, Celtics, and Heat are the only teams that can make a good enough package. I also think a Jrue Holiday trade could happen. David Griffin has said he doesn't want to trade either of these players, but you may just have to trade AD, and Jrue doesn't fit your timeline.
Free Agency
The Pelicans don't have a lot of space. According to Spotrac they are -12 million over the cap. If they can get both Solomon Hill and E'Twaun Moore off their books that would be big. It would free up 20 million dollars in cap and the Pelicans would be under the cap. If you choose not to re-sign Julius Randle you will save an extra 8 million. If you do though you will pretty much be done for free agency. You can maybe get a few minimum contract players. You also have to make a decision on Stanley Johnson, Elfrid Payton, Darius Miller, Ian Clark, Jahlil Okafor, Cheick Diallo, and Trevon Bluiett. I would re-sign both Stanley Johnson and Elfrid Payton. Jahlil Okafor has a team option and it is very cheap, so I would take that. The other guys I am not so sure about.
Conclusion
Well that wraps it up. I think the Pelicans are trending upwards and I am ready to see what this team does next. Up next is the Memphis Grizzlies.