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NBA Free Agency 2018: 5 offseason targets for the New Orleans Pelicans

By Bryan Harvey

BOSTON, MA - MARCH 31: Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors drives to the basket while guarded by Kadeem Allen #45 of the Boston Celtics during a game at TD Garden on March 31, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MARCH 31: Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors drives to the basket while guarded by Kadeem Allen #45 of the Boston Celtics during a game at TD Garden on March 31, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /
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The New Orleans Pelicans will enter free agent waters with nine contracts on the books for the 2018-19 season and a huge question mark in regards to DeMarcus Cousins.

Boogie is one of the best big men in the game. He is versatile. He often plays with a chip on his shoulder. He is coming off an Achilles injury, but he is also only 27. Players like him do not exist on a conveyor belt. The Pelicans, however, also have Anthony Davis. He is versatile. He can play with a chip on his shoulder. He is not coming off an Achilles injury. He is only 25 and always on the verge of owning the league.

This past postseason the Pelicans swept the higher seed Portland Trail Blazers in the first round, as guards Jrue Holiday and Rajon Rondo outplayed the more highly regarded Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. The series was, in large part, a coming out party for Holiday, who also happens to be the highest paid player in a New Orleans uniform. Still, the Pelicans stalled against the Golden State Warriors, and the talent gap between the NBA’s would be contenders and upper echelon was evident.

Read More: 2018 NBA Draft Tracker

With Davis and Holiday as the team’s best two players, the Pelicans played lightning fast and reached candidly new heights for the franchise. They also clearly lacked the talent and skill to journey any farther. So now everyone must ponder whether Boogie Cousins is the embodiment of the skill and talent to challenge the Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors. This is a common thread for many NBA franchises: How to find the missing variables when the constants are already known.

With all its current contracts under consideration, New Orleans is about $5 million below the cap and $28 million below the luxury tax. Retaining Boogie would devour the rest of the cap space and place the franchise near the luxury threshold. Davis is signed through 2019-20, with a player option for the 2020-21 season. If Cousins is not the running mate to be, then the clock is already ticking to find out who is.

This summer matters for these players, the organization, the city and the league. Here are some possible options for what the Pelicans could possibly do via free agency with not a lot of money and almost half a roster to build.

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