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Pelicans 2015 Offseason Discussion

3K views 29 replies 5 participants last post by  Geaux Tigers 
#1 ·
The New Orleans Pelicans two biggest moves of 2015 were set up by decisions that Dell Demps made way back in the summer of 2014. Though he couldn’t foresee the exact moves at the time, Dell knew that declining Austin River’s 4th year option would make him more appealing on the trade market. In a similar move, Demps used the room exception to sign John Salmons to a one-year deal at a salary that was perhaps a little above market value, but allowed him to be traded for a slightly higher salary. Those two decisions paid off big time, as they eventually led to the Pelicans acquiring Norris Cole and Quincy Pondexter.

Demps is often referred to as ‘The Chessmaster‘, as his bigger moves can usually be traced back to smaller ones made months earlier. While he can’t foresee the exact deal, obviously, Demps succeeds by putting himself in a position where he has as much flexibility and as many desired assets as possible to make a quality move. The summer of 2015 is certainly not the finish line for Demps when it comes to roster construction, especially with the cap talking a huge jump the next two years and multiple Pelicans set to come off the books.

If Norris Cole signs his qualifying offer and Omer Asik re-signs, as expected, the Pelicans will have 8 of their top 9 players back and are still in position to bring back Cunningham, Ajinca, Babbitt, and Withey if they so choose. Extending Withey the qualifying offer and using the 56th pick to put another cheap asset on the roster would bring the Pelicans roster up to 10. The Pelicans have Early Bird rights on both Alexis Ajinca and Luke Babbitt, but if they want to bring Dante Cunningham back, they will likely either have to use part of their Mid-Level Exception or the Bi-Annual Exception.
http://www.bourbonstreetshots.com/2...n-maximize-depth-and-flexibility-this-summer/
 
#30 ·
I remember covering Alonzo Gee on the SEC basketball website I used to have, never in a million years thinking he would stick in the NBA the way he has. I don't really know how to look at this signing though.
 
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