2015 NBA Free Agency: 3 Forwards the Pelicans Could Target

The Pelicans came away from the recent NBA Draft with no new players for their roster, an expected result.

As June comes to a close, the free agency period is upon us. Though no much cap space is available for New Orleans, there are still plenty of options to choose from to further construct next year’s roster. Here are a few of the players I feel the Pels should target.

The Exceptions

While the traditional cap space is lacking for the Pelicans, they will still be able to work with the Mid-Level and Bi-Annual Exceptions. These are tools available to teams that are operating above the cap.

Though the Pelicans are not technically over the cap yet, the likely resigning of center Omer Asik would allow the team to pursue targets with said exceptions.

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The Mid-Level Exception allows a player to earn a tick over $5 million per season for up to four seasons.

That may not seem like much given the nature of some NBA contracts these days, but there are plenty of valuable assets who can be acquired for this price. If a team would like to split up the Mid-Level among multiple free agents, they can choose to do that as well.

The Bi-Annual Exception is similar to the Mid-Level, except that the maximum amount of money that can be given out is just above $2 million.

With all that said, these are the tools that will be at the disposal for Dell Demps and new head coach Alvin Gentry to round out their roster.

Jun 22, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry talks during his introductory press conference as executive vice president Mickey Loomis and general manager Dell Demps (center) look on at the New Orleans Pelicans Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

The Targets

One thing we know for sure is that the core, for the most part, will likely remain intact. Eric Gordon, Tyreke Evans, Anthony Davis, Jrue Holiday, Ryan Anderson and Quincy Pondexter are all already guaranteed through next season.

Norris Cole, Omer Asik and Jeff Withey will likely be brought back as well if no team offers up some ridiculous contract to either. So with these nine most likely filling out most of the roster, there are still plenty of spots to fill.

Here are three players, whom the Pelicans may target for those available slots……

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