Whether it be free-agent signings, trades, or draft picks, there have been plenty of rumors surrounding the New Orleans Pelicans this offseason. Despite all the rumors, the best move for the team is to stay the course.
Not making any big moves would probably disappoint Pelicans fans, and I get it. The possibility of making a deal for Jaylen Brown or acquiring a top-10 draft pick is alluring.
There has been no shortage of Trey Murphy III trade rumors. There are also a plethora of centers in free agency and on the trade market who would look nice in a Pelicans uniform.
While these moves would generate a lot of buzz and debate among fans, they aren’t what’s best for the team. What is in the team’s best interests is standing pat and making a minor move or two.
Smaller moves may be the most the Pelicans do this offseason
The Pelicans just re-signed DeAndre Jordan to provide more depth at the center position, while continuing to be an exemplary teammate and mentor to younger players. This is admittedly a small move on paper, but a positive one.
Could this be the Pelicans’ only move involving the center position? I think there still is a good possibility Joe Dumars and Troy Weaver bring in another big body, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s another smaller acquisition.
Pelicans fans may have to be happy with a healthy offseason and the current roster coming into training camp at 100 percent.
The only player the Pelicans may need to decide about in some way is Saddiq Bey, who is a free agent after next season. Do they trade him or sign him to a long-term deal? Even with Bey, they could theoretically wait until the trade deadline to make a move or wait to see what happens next offseason.
With any NBA team, the fanbase likes to see moves being made in the offseason. It’s natural for a fan to want their favorite team to sign free agents, draft new players, and make trades. This is especially true when your favorite team won just 26 games the season before.
It’s a tough sell telling Pelicans fans that the roster they currently have could be a winning team. They were a bad team last year.
One reason I think the Pelicans could improve this season without any major roster changes is coaching. Willie Green was not a good coach. That was clear when James Borrego took over, and the Pelicans looked like a different team.
They still didn’t have a lot of success under Borrego, but I think there is room to improve in the coaching department. Borrego was a good coach, but I think Jamahl Mosley has the potential to be better.
The other way I think the Pelicans can win with their current roster is through some better luck with injuries. It feels like the Pelicans have been hampered by injuries more than usual the last few years.
If, and it’s a big if, the Pelicans can bring a healthy team into the start of the season and keep their starting lineup intact for a decent chunk of the year, they have the talent to win more than 40 games.
A healthy Dejounte Murray in the back court with Herb Jones, Trey Murphy III, Zion Williamson, and Saddiq Bey sharing the forward spots, and Derik Queen and Yves Missi holding down the center spot is a deep and talented team. Yes, they have their weaknesses, but if Mosley can find the right pairings, there is a lot of talent in that locker room.
If the Pelicans go into training camp with pretty much the same roster they have right now, I know fans will be disappointed. But I think this Pelicans team can surprise people next season. All they need is better coaching and better health.
