The New Orleans Pelicans already have 15 guaranteed contracts on the books for next season, the max number they can carry into the season.
They also have depth questions along the front line. Anthony Davis is still a flat-out stud — everyone seemed to think he had a down season last go around, he averaged 24.3 points and 10.3 rebounds a game with a PER of 25 (ninth best in the NBA). So yes, he sucked (read that again, but do it sarcastically, as intended). After that things thin out. They have players such as Omer Asik, Cheick Diallo, Alexis Ajinca, and Kendrick Perkins. I hope to see some Davis at center Solomon Hill as a small ball four lineups, but that will be an experiment too. It’s fair to question the quality of their depth up front.
Which is why the Pelicans are going to make training camp interesting.
The Pelicans are bringing former Lakers center Robert Sacre to training camp, according to league sources
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) August 11, 2016
The Pelicans and forward Chris Copeland agreed on non-guaranteed deal for training camp, according to source.
— David Pick (@IAmDPick) August 11, 2016
Robert Sacre or Chris Copeland would need to play surprisingly well for the Pelicans to eat the contract of Terrence Jones or Alonzo Gee and put them on the roster. The two new additions are auditioning for other jobs more than necessarily landing one in New Orleans.
But the Pelicans are looking for guys that fit along their front line, this is a team that wants to get back on the trajectory we thought we saw a couple of seasons ago.