NBA Free Agency 2018: One signing every team should make

CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 08: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts against the Golden State Warriors during Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 8, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

19 of 30

SALT LAKE CITY, UT – APRIL 03: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers brings the ball up court against the Utah Jazz in a game at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 3, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kentavious Caldwell-Pope /

New Orleans Pelicans — Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

The Pelicans’ offseason obviously starts with DeMarcus Cousins and what they decide to do about the uber-talented big man coming off an Achilles tear. If they sign him to a max deal, or something close to it, it’s going to make New Orleans a luxury tax team. That, in all likelihood, will force them into looking at minimum salary players to round out the roster. Rajon Rondo’s potential new contract also looms.

But in a world where the Pelicans do not re-sign Cousins, things could get interesting. They might need a big to backup Anthony Davis/take some of the bruising off of him — maybe a flier on Nerlens Noel makes sense here? — but they also need wings who can defend and shoot. A name that would make sense, as it would for many teams looking for 3-and-D help, is Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.

If Cousins is back, it’d ne tough to make this happen. But Caldwell-Pope, if signed, would take all or part of the mid-level exception and immediately step in as the team’s starting small forward and take some of the pressure off of Solomon Hill to come back and be a starting quality player after missing a large portion of last season with a hamstring injury. And, in a league that values length and value versatility more than ever, it never hurts to have as many guys as possible that play that way. It may be a move that requires selling Anthony Davis on moving on from a guy he loves in Cousins, but it might be a safer bet than signing a big man coming off a serious injury to a max deal.

Home/NBA Free Agency