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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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MIAMI, FL – APRIL 11: Wayne Ellington #2 of the Miami Heat shoots the ball against the Toronto Raptors on April 11, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. 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 Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – APRIL 11: Wayne Ellington #2 of the Miami Heat shoots the ball against the Toronto Raptors on April 11, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. 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 Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3. Wayne Ellington

While the decision about what to do with Cousins looms largest, the Pelicans may also be losing Rajon Rondo, Ian Clark and Jordan Crawford. Clark led the reserves in playoff minutes, and while Rondo mattered little in the regular season, he was a lynchpin to the team’s postseason success.

A dream scenario would see the Pelicans landing a player such as JJ Redick, Avery Bradley or Wayne Ellington. Redick’s price tag is probably too much, and he may not be the difference maker his name recognition suggests. The competition for signing Bradley will probably be stiff, especially since some of his Celtic-shine has yet to wear off.

That leaves Ellington, and still the Pelicans are probably paying the luxury tax.

As you start to sift through the options and crunch the numbers, the road to improving the Pelicans becomes more difficult to fathom. If they sign Cousins, they’re probably losing the rest of Davis’ supporting cast. However, if Cousins leaves, they still might lose their supporting cast and will, most likely, not replace Cousins with another All-Star talent. In other words, the Pelicans may end up signing Cousins because they really have no other options that are clear upgrades either at his position or in terms of talent.

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