The new orleans Pelicans made a huge step last season when they made a trade for DeMarcus Cousins during the NBA All-Star weekend. As the Western Conference continues to get stronger this offseason New Orleans is doing its best to add role players to compliment Davis and Cousins next season.
Darius Miller returns to New Orleans
Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN has reported that the New Orleans Pelicans has signed Darius Miller to a two-year contract with a team option for the second year this offseason. Miller was originally drafted by the New Orleans Hornets (now the Pelicans) with the 46th overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft.
He played some time in the NBA D-League but has only played for New Orleans in his NBA career. Miller is now 27 and this could be another chance for him to show everyone that he can be a great role player off the bench. Darius has averaged 3.1 points, 0.9 assists, 0.4 steals, and 1.3 rebounds while shooting 42 percent from the field and 35.1 percent from beyond the arc.
Rondo and Holiday will start for the Pelicans
Weeks ago Shams Charania of The Vertical reported that Rajon Rondo signed a one year deal with the Pelicans. This move created a lot of questions about what his role will be and how will it complement Holiday's. Alvin Gentry quickly answered that question in a podcast that the New Orleans Pelicans are looking to start the former All-Star point guard in the 1 and move Jrue Holiday to the 2 position.
This makes a lot of sense since Rajon Rondo is a pass first point guard with an incredible basketball IQ while Holiday leans more on a score first point guard. Holiday also has the height and shooting ability to play the shooting guard role. The double point guard for the Pelicans may prove devastating for other teams especially when two of the best centers in the NBA in Anthony Davis and Demarcus Cousins are in the front court.
Many are still skeptical about how strong the Pelicans will be next season but with a full training camp for Davis, Rondo, and Cousins they could very well be a major threat to make a playoff run.
Cousins and Davis working out together
Lots of practice, work and getting used to each other is needed when two power house NBA All-Stars are on the same team.
Davis and Cousins quickly realized that and started to play with each other as much as they could before summer camp starts. Davis, in an interview, said that they do not want to waste summer camp on trying to be familiar with each other. With Rondo on the point next season and with the bigs putting in the work, it seems like the Pelicans are turning into legit contenders in the west.
