RUNNING IT BACK: Continuity is King of Pelicans Free Agency
By Mike Delayo
General Managers across all sports are generally given little room for error.
They are tasked with winning, and if they do not quickly enough, ownership will try to find someone else who can. If a GM is only given a year or two to realize his vision for a team, how can he be expected to see it all the way through? Most of the time, he is not given that chance.
However, Dell Demps of the Pelicans has done everything he can to make sure he sees just how far his vision of this New Orleans team can go.
Oct 23, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans general manager Dell Demps during a press conference prior to a preseason game against the Miami Heat at New Orleans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
With Luke Babbitt aboard with a new two year extension, ten players from last years roster are locked in for the upcoming season.
Throw in the likely resigning of both Jeff Withey and Norris Cole (who the Pelicans have extended a qualifying offer to, allowing them to match any other potential offer), and the 15-16 Pelicans will be a near replica of the roster that was eliminated by Golden State.
Some may argue that this roster peaked just by making the playoffs last season. Frankly, that assessment does not compute.
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Although the big pieces of the roster were there at the start of the season, many important pieces were picked up along the way.
Dante Cunningham, Quincy Pondexter and Norris Cole played critical parts in getting the Pelicans to the playoffs without year. Retaining them for next season will allow them to partake in a full offseason of training with their teammates, which will almost certainly help develop chemistry for the team as a whole.
Last season was the second in a row that injuries disrupted mightily.
April 20, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard
Eric Gordon(10) shoots the basketball during the second quarter in game two of the first round of the NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Pelicans 97-87. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Eric Gordon, fresh off of his first full offseason since he arrived in New Orleans, managed to stay healthy for only the first 12 games before falling victim to a torn shoulder labrum.
He missed the twenty one games that followed, but was then able to stay on the court for the rest of the season.
Unfortunately, the games that Gordon missed coincided with the half season Jrue Holiday was able to play before going down himself.
In terms of on court chemistry, Gordon and Holiday have not had many opportunities to develop together in game situations.
Sometimes in the NBA, offseason roster overhauls force players to toss out tendencies that became so familiar with old teammates.
Holiday and Gordon have not yet had to start from square one, so whatever relationship they have been able to develop will continue to evolve.
Dell Demps has given these two and the rest of the Pelicans team a chance to see just how far they can propel each other.
Apr 1, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans center
Omer Asik(3) is defended by Los Angeles Lakers forward
Tarik Black(28) at Staples Center. The Pelicans defeated the Pelicans 113-92. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Perhaps the biggest uncertainty surrounding the Pelicans this free agency was Omer Asik.
They sacrificed a first round pick to acquire him from Houston before last season, a price that many folks nationwide did not agree with.
His newest contract with New Orleans has largely been received the same way. $60 million over 5 years (with the final year not guaranteed) does seem like a bit much for the offensively challenged big man, but it is a fair price to pay for the services he provides.
He is a huge body capable of banging down low with any center in the NBA.
Being able to take that beating night in and night out not only helps the Pels defense and rebounding ability, but it also keeps Anthony Davis from having to deal with that same physical beating.
Davis has made it known that he does not want to play center, just like LaMarcus Aldridge, despite many national writers preaching otherwise.
The defensive analytics dropped off for Asik this past season, but that should not be too much of a cause for concern. Drastic results are rarely received right away, so expecting a defensive renaissance in Asik’s first season may have been unfair.
However, a full offseason of training next to AD will hopefully mean an increased performance level on both sides of the court for Asik for this coming season, and for seasons to come as a member of the Pelicans.
Keeping the core talent of a team together is not unusual. Keeping nearly the entire bench, however, is a bit more unique.
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The Dante Cunninghams and the Luke Babbitts of the NBA usually jump from team to team every season or two. Babbitt’s three point prowess would have been welcome on most other teams, and the same can be said for Cunningham’s basketball IQ and defensive versatility.
They would have found other homes if they decided to leave the Pelicans, without a doubt.
However, instead of pigeonholing themselves into being known for a single talent, they can develop more as players by sticking with New Orleans.
Mar 19, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Luke Babbitt (8) against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center. The Suns defeated the Pelicans 74-72. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Cunningham liked to shoot long twos last year, a trend that Alvin Gentry will likely put an end to. Do not be surprised if the amount of threes he takes this year drastically rises due to the new offensive scheme.
Moving his shot back a couple of feet and draining it consistently could turn a one dimensional tool of the bench into a valuable asset moving forward.
Similarly, Babbitt progressed a nice bit last season due to the myriad of injuries. He continued to spot up from deep extremely well, but also began to diversify his game inside the arc, throwing in some floaters and pull up shots in addition to his legendary pump fake.
Gentry will likely find Babbitt open shots from deep to knock down if he gets on the floor. The continued growth of Babbitt everywhere else on the floor will determine how much time he will be able to spend on the floor.
The Pelicans did not secure any big names that will cause fans to tremble with fear, like Aldridge to San Antonio.
What they did accomplish though, is keeping a team of young, talented NBA players that has yet to reach its potential together.
The crazy part is the ceiling of this roster is not really visible. They will go as far as Anthony Davis will take them, and barring any more mid season injruies, he may just take them right where Gentry promised he would……