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Free agency is nearly upon us. New Orleans Pelicans' general manager Dell Demps has some flexibility at his fingertips to make a significant move or two and dramatically improve this roster. At the top of the needs, a small forward. Demps even acknowledged as much at his most recent press conference. There are a number of reasonably attainable small forwards available this summer, which are listed below.
This year the coverage available is going to be incredible, led by Adrian Wojnarowski at The Vertical. Debuting in a matter of hours is The Vertical's Free Agency Show, which is highly recommended. The draft show they did ran laps around anything ESPN had for their broadcast.
.@TheVertical to host live NBA free agency show on Thursday. Tips off at 11:30 p.m. ET. https://t.co/CO0RXffCgr pic.twitter.com/iYtEdUBZR3
— The Vertical (@TheVertical) June 29, 2016
We will update this post (scroll to the bottom) throughout the coming days with any information or rumors regarding the New Orleans Pelicans in free agency. Can Demps put a solid small forward between Buddy Hield and Anthony Davis? We should find out in the next week or so.
Pelicans News
Pelicans reach 4 year, $48 million agreement with Solomon Hill
Pelicans reach 4 year, $34 million agreement with E'Twaun Moore
Pelicans Salary Cap Compendium
Right now the Pelicans have $2.2 million in functional cap space if they intend on signing Diallo with cap room. (As I mention above, highly recommended.) The salary numbers for Solomon Hill and E'Twaun Moore are estimated based on reports from Scott Kushner of the New Orleans Advocate. Both result in values just over the reported amounts; $48,037,500 for Hill and $34,160,000 for Moore.
That cap space will be needed, and may not even be enough, to match any offers Tim Frazier will receive. The Pelicans do not hold his Bird Rights. In order to match they must use cap space or an exception. Those tools are in short supply. The most the Pelicans can offer Frazier right now in a four year contract is four year, $14.5 million deal starting at $3,389,068.
Potential Free Agent Targets
- Chandler Parsons | 6'10" SF/PF | Free Agent Profile
- Kent Bazemore | 6'5" SF/SG | Free Agent Profile
- Marvin Williams | 6'9" SF/PF | Free Agent Profile
- Harrison Barnes | 6'8" SF/PF | Free Agent Profile
- Evan Turner | 6'7" SF/SG | Free Agent Profile
- Jeremy Lin | 6'3" PG/SG | Free Agent Profile
- Jared Dudley | 6'7" SF/PF | Free Agent Profile
- Terrence Jones | 6'9" PF/C | Free Agent Profile
- Jared Sullinger | 6'9" C/PF | Free Agent Profile
- Andrew Nicholson | 6'10" PF/C | Free Agent Profile
Free Agent Rankings
| SB Nation | CBS Sports | Sports Illustrated | Average | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chandler Parsons | 15 | 16 | 14 | 15.0 |
| Kent Bazemore | 16 | 18 | 23 | 19.0 |
| Marvin Williams | 19 | 22 | 20 | 20.3 |
| Harrison Barnes | 14 | 26 | 22 | 20.7 |
| Evan Turner | 27 | 23 | 29 | 26.3 |
| Jeremy Lin | 30 | 29 | 30 | 29.7 |
| Jared Dudley | 50 | 48 | 41 | 46.3 |
Latest Pelican News and Rumors
In addition to reported interest from Bulls, Bucks and Wolves, E'Twaun Moore is also meeting with the Pelicans this morning.
— Cody Westerlund (@CodyWesterlund) July 1, 2016
Free agent guard Jeremy Lin is nearing a multi-year deal with the Brooklyn Nets, league sources tell @TheVertical.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) July 1, 2016
Free agent Kent Bazemore ended meeting with Rockets and no deal was reached, league sources tell @clevelanddotcom. Will continue process.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) July 1, 2016
One more note on Evan Turner: the Pelicans are among the teams who have strong interest in him, sources say.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) June 30, 2016
Houston, Memphis, New York, New Orleans interested in free agent guard Eric Gordon, sources say
— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) June 30, 2016
Houston, New Orleans, Brooklyn and Los Angeles Lakers also interested in Conley, sources say
— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) June 30, 2016
In addition to @ZachLowe_NBA report of Bucks, Grizzlies & Nets interest in Kent Bazemore, sources say add Pelicans, Rockets, Hawks & Magic.
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) June 30, 2016
Source: Alonzo Gee has declined his player option with the New Orleans Pelicans and he will become an unrestricted free agent as a result.
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) June 30, 2016
Source: #Pelicans will not tender a qualifying offer to James Ennis, but would like to bring him back if numbers work out.
— Scott Kushner (@ScottDKushner) June 30, 2016
The Pelicans tendered Tim Frazier a qualifying offer, making him a restricted free agent. His QO is worth $1,180,431.
— Justin Verrier (@JustinVerrier) June 29, 2016