The New Orleans Pelicans enter this offseason with one goal in their mind, and that is to surround DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis with the right personnel. But with over $84 million guaranteed salaries on their books, general manager Dell Demps will need to think outside the box if they want to add another legit talent to their ‘Twin Tower.’
Jimmy Buckets Trade
In his recent blog on AmicoHoops.net, NBA insider Sam Amico mentioned the Pelicans as a potential strong suitor for Chicago Bulls’ Jimmy Butler. The two-way All-Star is still under contract for three more seasons with a player option for the third season.
However, Butler has been on and off the trade rumor mill the past two seasons, in large part because the Bulls are on the verge of breaking the core altogether and start a full rebuild. He averaged 23.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 5.5 assists in 37 minutes per contest last season. He’s also one of few elite two-way players (Klay Thompson, Kawhi Leonard, and LeBron James are the others), having the responsibility to guard the opposing team’s best perimeter player every single night.
As far as trading for Butler is concerned, assets-rich teams like the Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers are the standouts the contenders. On the other hand, the Pelicans may not have enough ‘assets’ in the form of promising young players, and high draft picks to throw in.
All they have is Solomon Hill and the overpriced contract of Omer Asik worth $10MM per year.
Will Chris Paul join Cousins and Davis to form Big 3?
With Paul hitting the free-agency market this summer, there’s a speculation about the point guard re-joining the franchise that originally drafted him and forming another Super Team with Cousins and Davis in New Orleans.
Paul, who is still putting up elite numbers (18.1 points, 9.2 assists and 5.0 rebounds per game last season) at age 31, is reportedly leaning towards re-signing with the Clippers. But ESPN writer Kevin Arnovitz thinks the playmaker can be pursued by teams with a better chance of winning the title in the next 2-3 years.
The Pelicans, while they are far from being considered as the title contender, have two of the most dominant big men in the NBA.
The tandem of Anthony and Cousins is expected to be a force next season, especially if they build a nice chemistry off training camp.
Unfortunately, the chance of Paul joining the Pelicans is pretty much remote. New Orleans might have the big men of the future at their disposal, but the San Antonio Spurs and Cleveland Cavaliers possess the winning pedigree to entice a championship-hungry Paul. Moreover, New Orleans does not have the cap space - even they let Jrue Holiday walk away - to sign a max-contract play like Paul.
