New Orleans

Pelicans ROSTER

New Orleans' most recent free agent signing comes in the form of 6-foot-9 power forward Wenyen Gabriel, who penned a two-year deal with the Pelicans for $3.4 million. Gabriel's deal stipulates that New Orleans will have a club option for the 2021-22 season.

Gabriel is entering his second year in the NBA this season. The former Kentucky standout started his career with the Sacramento Kings in 2019-20 before being traded to the Portland Trail Blazers mid-season.

Gabriel played a total of 30 games last season, averaging 2.1 points and 1.7 rebounds in 7.8 minutes of play.

New Orleans brought on a couple of free agents in the offseason in Willy Hernangomez and Wenyen Gabriel.

Hernangomez, who plied his trade with the Charlotte Hornets last term, signed a one-year deal with the Pelicans for $1.7 million. The 6-foot-11 big man should provide some much needed depth to the squad's frontcourt.

Second-year power forward Gabriel signed a two-year deal worth $3.4 million, with the Pelicans holding a team option for 2021-22.

Other players who were linked to New Orleans in the offseason included Serge Ibaka, Harry Giles, and Denzel Valentine.

The Pelicans were one of the main players in what turned out to be a four-team blockbuster trade early in the offseason. The deal centered around former All-Star point guard Jrue Holiday, who was sent to the Milwaukee Bucks.

Along with Holiday, New Orleans also sent Sam Merill to Milwaukee. The Pelicans also traded Zylan Cheatham, Joshia Gray, Darius Miller, Kenrich Williams, a 2023 second-round pick, and a 2024 second-round pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The fourth team in the deal was the Denver Nuggets.

For their part, the Pelicans brought in quite a haul in the trade. They acquired Eric Bledsoe, a 2020 first rounder, the rights to swap for Milwaukee’s 2024 first-round pick, a 2025 first-round pick, the rights to swap for Milwaukee’s 2026 first-round pick, and a 2027 first-round pick. Moreover, the Thunder also sent over Steven Adams to New Orleans.

Throughout the history of this franchise (starting in 2002, since their previous history in Charlotte belongs to the current Hornets franchise), the Pelicans have only gone as far as the second round in the playoffs twice. The first time was in 2008, and it comes as no coincidence that that squad represents the best Pelicans/Hornets team ever assembled.

That season, Chris Paul and Morris Peterson comprised the team's backcourt. Peja Stojakovic played the wing, while David West and Tyson Chandler formed the frontcourt. Bonzi Wells and Jannero Pargo were a couple of key players that came off the bench.

Coached by Byron Scott, finished with 56 regular season wins -- the most in franchise history. They defeated the Dallas Mavericks in the first round, 4-1, but eventually fell to the San Antonio Spurs in the West Semis in seven games.

The Pelicans made several key moves in the offseason that had a significant effect on their cap space.

For starters, they signed Brandon Ingram to a max deal worth $158.3 million over the next five years. This season the All-Star forward is slated to earn $27.3 million.

The Pelicans traded away Jrue Holiday and the $26.2 million he was set to pocket this term, but in exchange, they also brought in Eric Bledsoe ($16.9 million) and Steven Adams ($27.2 million).

New Orleans was unable to renew the deals of Derrick Favors and E'Twaun Moore, who both moved on during the offseason.

All in all, the Pelicans are estimated to have a total cap of $130 million for 2020-21, which puts them above the $109.1 cap by a whopping $20.9 million.

For the most part of the 2019-20 campaign, it was JJ Redick who was tasked with fulfilling the role of the team's sixth man. The sharpshooting veteran did an admirable job coming off the bench, averaging 15.3 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.0 assists, while also connecting on 3.0 triples per game on a highly-efficient 45.3-percent clip.

It is worth noting that Redick will be entering the final year of his contract this coming season. Josh Hart figures to vie for the 6th man role in 2020-21.

To start the 2020-21 season, the Pelicans are playing a starting five of Lonzo Ball, Eric Bledsoe, Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson, and Steven Adams. JJ Redick and Josh Hart both play prominent roles off the bench and could earn some starts as the year progresses.