New Orleans Pelicans: Three players to target after Darius Miller exception

3. Iman Shumpert

You probably expected to see J.R. Smith on this slide when the preview was former NBA Champion. It is not Smith and instead is Smith’s former Cleveland Cavaliers teammate: Iman Shumpert.

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The case against Smith is that he will probably do what Carmelo Anthony is doing and hold out until a team that is a contender comes to him. There will be injuries throughout the year and Smith knows that and it will only be a matter of time before a contender needs a veteran sharpshooter.

Shumpert, on the other hand, does not really have the same luxury as he is not on the same level as Smith, although he does still have a lot to offer to a team like the New Orleans Pelicans.

Like Simmons, Shumpert would provide depth at the two/three mold that is lacking with Miller being out of action. Shumpert not only provides title experience to the Pelicans that will undoubtedly be useful, but he is still an efficient three and D guy at the NBA level.

His stat lines may not be all that impressive but Shumpert is still and above-average defender and can knock down his threes when needed. If he got a longer leash in New Orleans then perhaps he could even make a leap and become trade bait for the team come January.

Again, the team is not going to get much at this point of the year and betting on the upside of Shumpert for one year is better than doing nothing.

And hey, maybe Shumpert could get on the same level as Smith and become someone that contenders want off their bench for a playoff push. Even if they just get a second-rounder, that is better than nothing for the Pelicans.