The New Orleans Pelicans were handcuffed this offseason by bad contracts, keeping them from really changing the team around. Next year, however, they should be heavily involved in free agency.
The Pelicans are looking to get rid of Jordan Hawkins' money right now, but they still have an additional $40 million that will clear up from Jordan Poole and Saddiq Bey alone. Bey could receive an extension, though.
Current Pelicans guard Bennedict Mathurin is another 2027 free agent who could be in line for a big payday from the team if he impresses them this year. He currently has a player option next season for around $8 million, so he'll likely be declining that no matter what.
Here are some players not on the team that fans should be paying attention to, because they could be targets for New Orleans next season:
As the focal point of a bad Nets team last year, Porter was able to post great individual numbers. He put up 24.2 points, 7.1 rebounds and 3.0 assists on 46.3/36.3/85.9 shooting splits.
If the Pelicans want to get in on one of the big dogs from free agency, Porter is looking like their best option. He has been floated for the past year or so as a potential target. Adding him to the mix would certainly improve their offense, though he would be another step back on defense.
The problem is that he is best as a second-or-third option, like back on the Denver Nuggets. If he were willing not to be the number one again, it would make him a much more attractive free agent. Sometimes that toothpaste can't be put back into the tube, though.
New Orleans could do something fun, and reunite part of that 2018 Duke Blue Devils team that filled up the top of the draft. None of them quite lived up to expectations, but Zion Williamson/Barrett have both been good players.
Barrett would be a fun, younger addition to this team. At 26 years old, he fits right into that timeline with Williamson and Trey Murphy. Last year for the Raptors, he posted 19.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists per night on 49.1/33.9/71.7 splits. He would also be a tough, versatile defender that this team has been searching for.
Looking further into the future, he could also fit into a lineup with both Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen.
