With Solomon Hill expected to miss a significant portion of the 2017/18 season, the Pelicans find themselves short-handed at the small forward position, and are expected to explore adding depth at the position. Head coach Alvin Gentry confirmed as much during a Monday appearance on the Black and Blue Report, as Jim Eichenhofer of Pelicans.com details.
“I think we’ve got some players who can fill in, but we’ve really got to go out and find another guy of that size with a little bit of versatility, that can play some (power forward) or maybe even some (shooting guard) for us, depending on who we try to get,” Gentry said. “Right now we’ve got to decide if we’re going to add a guy and how we can do that.”
The Pelicans have an All-Star duo up front in DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis, and will head into the season with a pair of starting-caliber point guards in Jrue Holiday and Rajon Rondo. However, the club’s depth on the wing remains a potential concern, particularly with Hill sidelined for six to eight months with a torn hamstring.
Currently, Quincy Pondexter and Darius Miller are the other viable small forwards on New Orleans’ roster, but Pondexter’s health is still a question mark, and Miller hasn’t played in the NBA since the 2014/15 season. It remains to be seen whether either player can approximate the production provided by Hill, who wasn’t a force on offense last season, but was often matched up against a top scorer on defense.
“I thought he guarded his position as well as anyone last year,” Gentry said of Hill. “He did a great job on guys like Paul George. Kevin Durant got his points, but it’s a matter of how he got those. I thought [Hill] did a great job in those situations. Not having him out there obviously takes a really good perimeter defender away from us, but we’ve got to find a way to fill in and adjust.”
If the Pelicans return to the free agent market, players like Shabazz Muhammad, Gerald Green, Matt Barnes may be on their radar. With the club on the hunt for a versatile, defensive-minded wing, Tony Allen would be an intriguing option, though it remains to be seen if he’ll play for the minimum salary. The Pelicans still have their full bi-annual exception ($3.29MM) available, but are getting dangerously close to the tax line, so a minimum deal may be necessary as they look to replace Hill.
If they are looking for a trade maybe they could do Ajinca or Asik and a pick for Jeremy Lamb from Charlotte, or something similar with the Knicks for Lance Thomas
I was waiting for this article since I heard about Hill’s injury, and I knew you would be on here soon…. Sorry about him going down… tough loss before such an important season for the franchise. ….
Hope you can find another player to fill his role at the wing. There’s got to be somebody available that won’t cost too much… maybe closer to camp….
Shabazz Muhammad would be a great fit, great place for him to develop his game and not have much offensive pressure on him. Will certainly get PT with Hill out for an extended period of time.
I’m wondering why he is still out there. Does he want too much money and a long contract?
It’s been a tough offseason for a lot of guys. Teams are for less willing to overpay, and if things don’t work out for teams like the Pelicans, Thunder, Cavs, and Rockets to name a few, there’s gonna be some major superstar talent available next offseason so cap space is a priority. It’s why Noel signed his QO and guys like Green from Memphis are yet to get an offer they like
That was my thought on Shabazz, he must want more than what he’s currently getting offered. Just look at the other three names mentioned as options. All are vets at the back end of their careers that you would expect to sign for a minimum or bi-annual exception.
SHAWN LONG