New Orleans Pelicans 2021 Offseason Recap

KEY QUESTIONS ENTERING OFFSEASON

PG Lonzo Ball – Ball would be a restricted free agent this offseason. Would New Orleans offer hime a qualified offer expected to be in range of $6.00M? Ball is looking for a big bucks contract but may not get offered one. How much would the Pelicans be willing to match any offer sheet if another team was interested?

SF Josh Hart – Hart says he wants to test free agency and not return to New Orleans. If he does leave, the Pelicans would be without a veteran 6th-man. The Pelicans Cap Space (after relinquishing rights to a few players) will be in the range of $15.0M. Orlando Magic’s SG Evan Fournier (expects $17.0M) would be a nice replacement.

KEY OUTCOMES

• SF Josh Hart – Bluffed us and opted to remain in New Orleans, accepting a 1-year deal worth $4.36M
• PG Alonzo Ball – Accepted a qualifying offer of $6.60M. He becomes an unrestricted free agent next season with 3 Bird Years.

SIGNINGS

• SF Kent Bazemore signed to a 1-year veteran minimum contract worth $1.67M. Bench now crowded with small forwards.
• SG/SF Evan Fournier signed a 3-year contract worth $41.95M. Fournier will become the 6th-Man but also could be backup to another season of Brandon Ingram injuries. Hart’s minutes expected to dwindle (trade?).
• PF Nicolo Melli resigned for 1-year, $4.87M
• C Kem Birch signed to a 1-year veteran minimum contract worth $1.67M

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP

PG Lonzo Ball, SG Eric Bledsoe, SF Brandon Ingram, PF Zion Williamson, C Steven Adams

BENCH

SG/SF Evan Fournier (6th man), SF Josh Hart, PG Kira Lewis, Jr, C Jayson Hayes, PF Nikola Melli, SF Kent Bazemore

The Pelicans 1st-round draft pick, SG J.T. Haywood, will begin the season with the G-League affiliate. The organization hopes to see their prospect grow his skills and progress towards his ceiling (Jimmy Butler, All-NBA) and not his floor (Kerry Kittles, Starter).

PELICANS DRAFT SELECTIONS

1st Round/18th Pick – SG J.T. Haywood, Louisville (OVR 76)
2nd Round Pick – PF Omer Mansiz, Turkey (OVR 72)
3rd Round Pick – PF Lonny Elliott, Boise State (OVR 69)
4th Round Pick – SF Donald Best, Ohio State (Scouted B+ OVR)

TOP FREE AGENT SIGNINGS

All the offseason transactions >

SEASON OUTLOOK

New Orleans wasn’t sad to see Khawi Leonard pack his bags for New York in the Eastern Conference. After all, with an injured hip, Leornard knocked the Pelicans out of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs last season. 

Memphis was all they were cracked up to be, and the Los Angeles Lakers lost Montrelz Harrell to free agency after trading away Kyle Kuzma in the regular season. Dallas improve with the addition of DeMar DeRozan and the Warriors remain intact and include last season’s Rookie of the Year C James Weisman.

PROJECTED FINISH: 3rd place in the West