Fansided

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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OAKLAND, CA – MAY 20: Trevor Ariza #1 of the Houston Rockets handles the ball against the Golden State Warriors during Game Three of the Western Conference Finals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 20, 2018 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – MAY 20: Trevor Ariza #1 of the Houston Rockets handles the ball against the Golden State Warriors during Game Three of the Western Conference Finals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 20, 2018 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

5. Trevor Ariza

If Cousins leaves, the Pelicans need bodies. If Cousins stays, then the Pelicans still need to add bodies. Either way, the allowance is small and the needs are great.

Ariza is a player who has been around since the term 3-and-D was first coined. He can stretch the floor and guard multiple positions. He has also found success in multiple systems and seems to fit with a team regardless of whom the star is. The added benefit of signing a player like Ariza for New Orleans is that the move also takes him out of Houston. Doing so, however, would probably require exercising the team’s midlevel exception.

Other options here are Luc Mbah a Moute or Gerald Green. And again, the signing of either would also weaken Houston’s rotation (and would be much cheaper than the price tag Ariza is rumored to be asking).

With Cousins, some of these players could still be squeezed onto the roster. Without him, the Pelicans may want to chase flashier dreams.

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