[KingslayerParticipant]

2015/2016 record: 30-52 *Contract values courtesy of Spotrac.

Roster (16/17 salary): Davis ($23.0 mil), Holiday ($11.3 mil), Evans ($10.2 mil), Asik ($9.9 mil), Ajinca ($4.7 mil), Pondexter ($3.6 mil), Cunningham ($3.0 mil), Babbitt ($1.2 mil). TOTAL =~ $65.6 million

Notable FA’s & Contract options (16/17 option/cap hold): Gordon (UFA, $23.3mil), Anderson ($12.8mil), Cole ($3.6mil), Frazier (RFA), Ennis (RFA), Gee (PO, $1.4mil), Douglas (TO, $1.3mil)

R1 Draft picks (16/17 salary): 6^th overall ($3.5 million)

Total Cap Commitment: = $65.6 + $3.5 = $69.1 million. $22.9 million in projected cap space

Backcourt: The Pelicans don’t have any guards on the roster signed beyond next season. Only Holiday, Evans, and Douglas (team option) are even rostered at this point. Without much cap space to work with and a pretty thin roster, New Orleans should take whoever they think is the BPA (which will probably be a backcourt player). The team seems to still be high on Jrue for the future after a productive season without any lingering leg injuries. For that reason, I expect them to draft whoever’s left between Murray, Hield & Brown before considering another PG in Kris Dunn. Frazier could return as an RFA, or they could look to re-sign Cole. They still need players to fill out the guard/wing spots, and one name they’ve been linked to is Kent Bazemore. Bazemore was signed to Atlanta by GM Danny Ferry, who is now the assistant GM for the Pels.  

 

Frontcourt: The one positive from last year’s dismal season is that Davis didn’t qualify for the “Rose” rule, and New Orleans will save roughly $25 million on his total contract. Asik and Ajinca will play C with Davis sliding over to the pivot often as well. I am personally really high on Jakob Poeltl and think he’d be an awesome fit next to Davis, however it’s really unlikely they use valuable resources on another C. The Pels might also see Bender as a good fit next to Davis with Anderson most likely leaving in free agency. Gee or Ennis may be back next year for depth.

Outlook: Due to some poor roster moves and really bad luck with injuries, New Orleans still isn’t anywhere close to contending. AD’s rapid ascent was stalled last year, the Asik signing did them no favors, and there are still doubts whether you can field a good team with Tyreke starting on or off the ball. They don’t have the cap space to significantly improve the team for next season, and I don’t think this roster will be good enough or healthy enough to make the playoffs next year. The Pels really need to nail the 6th pick to give them another building block for the future.

 

 

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

 I really thought the Asik signing would’ve been what the Robin Lopez signing was for the Trailblazers. 

Not a sexy move but one that people close to the team would realize was really important because he would provide the gritty stuff inside. 

That hasn’t worked out. Not sure if its because of the scheme/coaches or if it’s Asik’s inability to replicate the one year he had in Houston where he was a serviceable starting big man. 

Jrue Holiday seemed like he was on his way to NBA stardom too and he hasn’t really done much lately. He was alright last year, but he’s been the same player for about 3-4 years now and is still injury prone. 

Pels seem like they are a long ways away right now despite just getting to the playoffs a year ago. 

 

 

 

 

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

 I really thought the Asik signing would’ve been what the Robin Lopez signing was for the Trailblazers. 

Not a sexy move but one that people close to the team would realize was really important because he would provide the gritty stuff inside. 

That hasn’t worked out. Not sure if its because of the scheme/coaches or if it’s Asik’s inability to replicate the one year he had in Houston where he was a serviceable starting big man. 

Jrue Holiday seemed like he was on his way to NBA stardom too and he hasn’t really done much lately. He was alright last year, but he’s been the same player for about 3-4 years now and is still injury prone. 

Pels seem like they are a long ways away right now despite just getting to the playoffs a year ago. 

 

 

 

 

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