Complete 2018 NBA Free Agency primer for OKC Thunder and all 30 teams
New Orleans:
Free Agents:
- Ian Clark (UFA)
- DeMarcus Cousins (UFA)
- Jordan Crawford (UFA)
- Rajon Rondo (UFA)
- Charles Cooke (RFA: 2-way FA)
Team Profile and Ranking:
Key Ranking Stats to end season:
- Offense: 9th (107.5)
- Defense: 14th (105.9)
- Net: 12th (plus+1.7)
NBA Power Ranking at 2017-18 season end: 11th
ESPN Power Ranking post playoffs: 8th
Vegas odds to win 2018-19 title as of June 26: 75 to 1
Committed Salary: $96,040,574.00 as of June 29th
Average attendance: 16,437
Attendance rank: 25th
Arena: Smoothie King Center
Management:
- General Manager: Dell Demps – 2010
- Head Coach: Alvin Gentry – 2015
Salary Profile:
Not surprisingly the Pelicans will retain the services of Nikola Mirotic who provided quality floor spacing and production in the postseason. In addition Cheick Diallo is on a partially guaranteed contract of $1,544,951 and three non-guaranteed contract held by Emeka Okafor ($2,445,085), Darius Miller ($2,205,000) and DeAndre Liggins ($1,795,015).
In terms of extentions much of what the Pelicans have access to depends on whether they offer DeMarcus Cousins the max contract.
| Sala | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Age | 2018-19 | Signed Using | Guaranteed |
| Jrue Holiday | 28 | $26,131,111 | Bird Rights | $104,080,000 |
| Anthony Davis | 25 | $25,434,263 | 1st Round Pick | $76,302,788 |
| Nikola Mirotic | 27 | $12,500,000 | Cap space | $25,000,000 |
| Solomon Hill | 27 | $12,752,928 | Cap Space | $38,248,244 |
| E’Twaun Moore | 29 | $8,808,685 | Cap Space | $25,918,637 |
| Alexis Ajinca | 30 | $5,285,394 | Early Bird Rights | $10,247,192 |
| Darius Miller | 28 | $2,205,000 | MLE | $2,100,000 |
| Cheick Diallo | 21 | $1,544,951 | Minimum Salary | $1,812,611 |
| Frank Jackson | 20 | $1,378,242 | MLE | $2,699,857 |
| Team Totals | $96,040,574 | $311,950,891 |
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 6/27/2018.
Draft 2018:
Round 2:
With the 51st pick, the Pelicans (from Bulls via Pelicans, Heat) selected Penn State guard Tony Carr.
Rookie Profile: Tony Carr could be the next two-way guard in OKC
Free Agency – Offseason Mandate:
Even prior to DeMarcus Cousins tearing his Achilles tendon there were justifiable arguments whey he shouldn’t get the max. Despite being perhaps the best center in the NBA, he did so almost on natural talent alone. I often wondered how high he could have risen had he invested in being in shape, improving his game, playing better defense, and channeling his leadership qualities. I’d wager a top-three player.
The irony is both Boogie and Anthony Davis prefer to play the power forward yet both are better at the five. To close out the season fans got to appreciate just how special Anthony Davis is. Like the Wolves the Pelicans are up against it because they need to decide what to do about Boogie and also keep the perspective of what will happen with Davis if the Pelicans slip at all.
Might he demand a trade? He loves playing with Cousins, so can they afford not to bring him back? And, if Cousins is true to his word then it will have to before the max.
I still think the reunion of Wall and Cousins might occur and maybe if Demps is on the ball he could work a sign and trade to bring back either Beal or Porter plus other assets to make that happen.
It’s a tightrope this team is walking because they need to add depth while likely being a luxury tax team. Pay Cousins and have no money to add depth? Or release him and risk upsetting Davis but have money to address other needs? It’s the max million dollar question.