Pelicans Front Office Criticized After Slow Start to Free Agency
NBA Free Agency opened yesterday with roster shifts across the league. Teams executed major trades involving future Hall of Fame players, while LeBron James announced his entry into the open market. The initial hours was full of activity, including names like Kawhi Leonard, Jalen Duren, and James Harden were all in motion.
While most of the NBA rosters are experiencing overhauls, the New Orleans Pelicans front office remains pretty static. Analysts anticipated this operational paralysis from the Pels heading into the offseason. Fans have noted a recurring pattern of off-season letdowns during the last few years.
New Orleans Pelicans Sign DeAndre Jordan
The only measurable transaction from the front office during Day 1 of NBA Free Agency was securing a veteran contract for DeAndre Jordan. The center appeared in just 12 game for New Orleans last year, and is entering his 19th season. Observers question if management plans to announce substantive player movement.
Fans across Louisiana, and the whole world, expressed immediate frustration regarding the lack of supplementary roster additions...expecting management to address core rotational needs. His re-signing fails to resolve ANY of the structural issues with the team's depth chart.
Paths For Pelicans Roster Improvement
To alter the team's trajectory in the standings, the front office must pursue quality players at the center position, and more scoring output. Expert evaluations say the current roster lacks the depth required to advance in the postseason. Remaining free agents represent the final opportunity to secure talent, but every day that passes, the pool gets more and more shallow.
Executing an impactful acquisition requires the organization to commit salary cap space, or trade capital. The failure to leverage available assets continues to raise doubts about the front office's ability to build a contending team. Leadership must decide if they will take financial risks to improve, or if they're fine simply existing.