Having locked up their top free agent target with a new five-year contract agreement, the Pelicans are now exploring the rest of the market as they search for veteran scorers and playmakers, tweets David Aldridge of TNT. According to Aldridge (Twitter links), New Orleans is engaging today with free agent shooting guard Nick Young and will also connect with point guard Ty Lawson.
[RELATED: Pelicans agree to five-year deal with Jrue Holiday]
Even after agreeing to re-sign Jrue Holiday, the Pelicans’ roster is somewhat heavier on frontcourt players, led by Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins. Having traded Tim Frazier to Washington in June, New Orleans will be on the lookout for backcourt players to play alongside or behind Holiday in the rotation.
Young and Lawson both appear capable of fitting that bill. While we haven’t heard much yet about Young’s free agent options, Lawson has reportedly drawn some interest from the Timberwolves, Thunder, and Kings in addition to the Pelicans.
Scott Kushner of The Advocate adds (via Twitter) that Jodie Meeks is another free agent name to watch for New Orleans.
The Pelicans will almost certainly operate as an over-the-cap team, leaving them the mid-level ($8.4MM) and bi-annual ($3.3MM) exceptions to add players above the minimum salary level.
They need Young’s shooting. He could start there alongside Jrue and make a formidable backcourt. Davis and Cousins will demand so much attention down low, he would get so many good looks.
Nick Young sucks, plays no defense and does nothing in the locker room. Formidable backcourt? Lol!
You must not have watched him play last year
He would bust your a** you bum.
If young ends up looking at the BAE I’d sign him but I wouldn’t use a chunk of the midlevel on him.
Young is overpaid he is only a shooter with a crack head
Yes not even close to Tyson chandlers value
He’s like half a Tyson Chandler in corleone’s value system. Maybe two jared dudleys
I’m surprised they’re not going after K. J. MCDANIELS, and Justin Holiday instead, two players with Athleticism, and quality 3&D style ball playing!