Southwest Rumors: Asik, Pelicans, Chandler

Initial signs point to Omer Asik re-signing with the Pellicans, writes Marc Stein of ESPN.com. Even though he had a poor playoff series against the Warriors, Stein says New Orleans likes having Asik as a physical rim protector next to Anthony Davis. Asik is in the final season of a three-year, $25MM contract given to him by the Rockets, and he will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. The Pelicans gave Houston a 2015 first-round pick last offseason to bring Asik to New Orleans.

There’s more from the Southwest Conference:

  • The future of coach Monty Williams and GM Dell Demps isn’t as clear, Stein notes in the same article. Both were reportedly given “playoffs or else” ultimatums, and although the Pelicans made the postseason, their issues aren’t settled. Williams has often been booed and second-guessed by New Orleans fans, but he has formed a bond with Davis that works to his advantage. Stein said Demps did an admirable job of building the Pelicans bench, and he should be expected back next season. However, the fight within the Benson family over control of the franchise could impact both decisions.
  • The Pelicans‘ first playoff experience should serve them well next season and beyond, according to Jimmy Smith of The Times-Picayune. Smith said that even though New Oreans got swept, the team never backed down against the league-best Warriors.
  • Tyson Chandler is hoping his season, and possibly his second stint with the Mavericks, won’t end tonight, writes Eddie Sefko of The Dallas Morning News. Battling injuries and internal strife, Dallas trails the Rockets 3-0 in their playoff series. “The tradition and things that I remember and believe in every time I look up [at the 2011 championship banner] and step on the court – that, along with the emotions of coming back here – I don’t want it to end in a sweep,” said Chandler, who will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. “You don’t know what happens after that.” Whenever the Mavericks’ offseason arrives, it is expected to bring major changes. Rajon Rondo is almost certain to leave as a free agent, and Monta Ellis is expected to opt out of his deal and test free agency, according to Sefko.
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