The New Orleans Pelicans showed signs of improvement after bringing CJ McCollum to town via a trade with the Portland Trail Blazers. As the Pelicans' core continues to come together, headlined by Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and McCollum, the team could be active in free agency in order to get some more solid pieces in the rotation.
After finishing the 2021-22 season with a 36-46 record, the Pelicans were bounced in a six-game series by the No. 1 seed Phoenix Suns in the first round of the NBA Playoffs. Considering Williamson was injured for the entire season, the Pelicans' second-half surge was led primarily by the likes of McCollum, Ingram, Jonas Valanciunas, and Herbert Jones,.
Getting a full season from Williamson in 2022-23 could be exactly what this team needs to be a real threat in the playoffs, especially if they nail free agency and get some important role players to add to the mix. They landed an intriguing prospect in Dyson Daniels during the 2022 NBA Draft, who could prove to be a useful addition early on.
The Pelicans don't have much cap space to work with, so they're most likely looking at some mid-level exception deals. Still, there is good value to be had by bringing in a proven veteran, so the Pelicans should absolutely have their sights set on a few guys this offseason. In terms of need, adding some depth at guard behind McCollum and Jose Alvarado would likely be one of the most important moves the Pelicans can make this offseason. While there are other needs on the roster, none are as prevalent as their lack of guard depth.
With all that in mind, here are two free agency targets the Pelicans should target in the 2022 NBA offseason.
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Pelicans 2022 NBA Free Agency Targets
Schroder wouldn't be the flashiest signing in the world, but he's an experienced ball-handler who could serve as a valuable depth piece for the Pelicans as they look to make a push for a top seed in the West next year. Schroder spent the 2021-22 season with the Rockets and Celtics. In all, he featured in 64 games, posting season averages of 13.5 points, 4.6 assists, and 3.3 rebounds per game, while shooting at a 34.4% clip from 3-point range.
While Schroder is rather turnover prone, his ability to lead an offense could be valuable for New Orleans if McCollum goes down with an injury. He also played some shooting guard last year, though he's a bit undersized as a two-guard. Still, his ability to handle both positions could make him a viable asset for the Pelicans, who won't be in a position to spend a ton of money on top-end free agents. At 28 years old, Schroder still has plenty left in the tank, and the idea of sticking around on a contending team past the trade deadline could be enticing for him after having bounced around the league the past few years.
Walker is set to hit restricted free agency this offseason and he could end up being a great target for the Pelicans. He was solid last year in San Antonio, averaging 12.1 points per game along with 2.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists. He struggled shooting from the field, registering a lowly 40.7 field goal percentage and shooting 31.4% from 3-point range. Still, he has the ability to be a solid 3-and-D contributor for the Pelicans and ease some of the workloads off of guys like Herb Jones.
While his shooting numbers are shaky, he's an explosive athlete who could help the Pelicans play fast in transition and come up with plays defensively. If he isn't retained by the Spurs, Walker could certainly be a strong fit for the Pelicans in free agency.
Walker did admit that he'd be open to returning to the Spurs, and the fact that he's a restricted free agent means the Spurs could match any contract offer the Pelicans put forth. Still, if he does end up leaving San Antonio, there would be a great fit for the 23-year-old in New Orleans.
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