2015 NBA Free Agency - Pelicans
Norris Cole signs qualifying offer
Finally one of Rich Paul's clients has ended his holdout.
New Orleans Pelicans could bring in Sean Kilpatrick on camp contract
Former #Twolves guard Sean Kilpatrick is moving closer to finding a training camp home. The Pelicans are very much in the mix, I hear.
— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) September 7, 2015
Kilpatrick was solid for the Milwaukee Bucks during summer league averaging 18.3 points while posting an impressive .473/.457/.840 shooting line. Be sure to check out this post from the Cincinnati blog Down the Drive for more insight on the former Bearcat.
Assessing Cole's dwindling potential suitors
Will the New Orleans Pelicans be welcoming back the point guard? Almost all signs point to yes.
Perhaps Dell Demps should sign Rasual Butler
Butler's experience and three-point prowess could prove to be a viable replacement for missing out on the JET.
Pelicans offseason earns high marks
Turns out signing one of the best players on the planet is looked upon favorably. Who knew?
Pelicans offer contract to Jason Terry
How much might it be? What would Terry bring to the Pelicans?
Norris Cole has interest from Philadelphia and New York
Free agent G Norris Cole drawing interest from Sixers, Knicks. Cole a restricted free agent tho. Pelicans likely to re-sign/match offers.
— Sam Amico (@AmicoHoops) August 4, 2015
The Knicks just used the room exception on Kevin Seraphin. That means the most they can offer is a minimum contract while Cole's qualifying offer is over $3 million. Philadelphia has oodles of cap space but already four point guards (Tony Wroten, Isaiah Canaan, Pierre Jackson, and Scottie Wilbekin) under contract. This smells like an agent trying to drive up the price.
The Kendrick Perkins signing checks several boxes
Just ask any of the Pelicans last year, there's so much more to competitive basketball than just upside and individual statistics.
Kendrick Perkins is a Pelican, Seth Curry a King
Some late night news breaks on an otherwise slow Tuesday.
Asik costs even less than anticipated
Good news for the Pelicans future salary cap.
Alonzo Gee, an important signing for New Orleans
Gee could turn out to be quite an underappreciated signing by New Orleans, especially if he emerges as the opening day starter at small forward.
2015 NBA Free Agency: New Orleans Pelicans sign Alonzo Gee
Free agent Alonzo Gee's two-year deal with New Orleans will be worth $2.75M, league source tells Yahoo Sports.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 10, 2015
Did you know Alonzo Gee was actually a Pelican for a couple days last summer? Dell Demps traded his unguaranteed contract (along with others) to Houston for Omer Asik. Welcome back Alonzo Gee!
2015 NBA Free Agency: Pelicans re-sign Luke Babbitt for two years
ESPN sources say Pelicans will sign Luke Babbitt to new two-year valued in $2.5 million range
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) July 10, 2015
The Pelicans held Luke Babbitt's early bird rights. At two years, $2.5 million this is a touch more than the minimum but does not utilize an exception.
How much can the Pelicans offer now?
The free agent market is pretty picked over. Let's see what the Pelicans can offer.
2015 NBA Free Agency: Pelicans officially sign Asik, Ajinca, and Cunningham
Asik, Ajinca & Cunningham have all signed with the #Pelicans tonight. Loomis, Demps, Gentry and his staff put names on paper at Cava in NO
— Scott Kushner (@ScottDKushner) July 9, 2015
In an era where verbal agreements might be backed out on in the last minute, the Pelicans suffered no such fate.
Anthony Davis makes it official
Davis wasted absolutely no time.
Higher salary cap and paths not taken
The difference in a couple million in the salary cap could have made a huge difference for the Pelicans.
2015 NBA Free Agency: Pelicans interested in K.J. McDaniels
Source: New Orleans Pelicans have expressed interest in signing K.J. McDaniels to an offer sheet. He's antsy to sign once moratorium ends.
— Jake Pavorsky (@JakePavorsky) July 9, 2015
I am very excited about this development. The Rockets do not have Bird Rights for McDaniels since he's only been in the league one year. They will need to use an exception to match a Pelican offer.
2015 Free Agency: Salary cap set at $70 million
The NBA salary cap has risen to $70M for the 2015-'16 season, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 9, 2015
Estimates in April pegged the salary cap at $67.1 million. Just as free agency began reports said it could come in one to two million higher. I have some thoughts on what the Pelicans should have done with this higher cap. Stay tuned.
Pelicans interested in Carlos Boozer, or any available fifth big man
Pelicans join Clippers, Mavs and Raptors as teams showing interest in Carlos Boozer, sources say
— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) July 7, 2015
Boozer joins Ryan Hollins and Quincy Acy as bigs the Pelicans have been loosely connected to at this time. Dell Demps appears to be combing through the league for a competent fifth big.
Pelicans were interested in Mo Williams
Dell Demps continues to try to improve this team. He just doesn't negotiate in public
Pelicans interested in Ryan Hollins
Kings free agent center Ryan Hollins garnering interest from the Kings and Pelicans, a source said.
— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) July 6, 2015
How many centers does Alvin Gentry need?
2015 NBA Free Agency: Pelicans re-sign Dante Cunningham for three years
New Orleans will re-sign forward Dante Cunningham on a three-year, $9 million deal, league source tells RealGM. Third year player option.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 4, 2015
Dell Demps told everyone who would listen that they liked their core. After re-signing Omer Asik, Alexis Ajinca, and Dante Cunningham almost the entire rotation returns. Up next, Norris Cole.
The Pelicans should look to sign Jeremy Evans
Dell Demps was interested in adding Al-Farouq Aminu, an athletic forward who can play both the 3 and 4, but I'm here to tell you Jeremy Evans makes for a far more appealing choice.
Hunting for Tweeners in Free Agency
New Orleans lacks a tweener. Let's take a look at three options.
Three SF that could potentially help the Pelicans
A deep dive into some NBA wing players, who are still free agents, that could contribute something to the Pelicans roster.
Five more years for Omer Asik
New Orleans liked their core. Dell Demps said so over and over again. This is a clear example he was telling the truth.
2015 NBA Free Agency: Omer Asik back in New Orleans
Omer Asik and Pelicans are finalizing a deal, according to ESPN sources
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) July 2, 2015
Terms still being hashed out. Will have a full article soon.
Reaction: Ajinca re-signs with Pelicans
Ajinca is coming back. Let's take a look at the numbers.
2015 NBA Free Agency: Pelicans re-sign Alexis Ajinca for four years
ESPN sources say that Ajinca and the Pelicans have come to terms on a four-year deal valued, more precisely, at $20.2 million
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) July 1, 2015
That amount is low enough to be within Early Bird Rights. The Pelicans still maintain the Mid-Level Exception and Bi-Annual Exception. I'm honestly surprised he cost that little to retain.