- Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry believes his club can be a serious playoff contender next season if it re-signs unrestricted free agent point guard Jrue Holiday, William Guillory of the New Orleans Times-Picayune writes. Gentry is brimming with optimism that the trio of Holiday, DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis can succeed after seeing the team go 8-5 over the past 13 games. “I think we’re light years ahead of where we were,” Gentry told Guillory. “We’ve got arguably two of the best 10 players in the NBA. Then you add Jrue to the mix, and hopefully that’s going to be somebody we can keep on our team, you’ve got guys that are a year older playing (together).”
- With possible newcomer Joe Dumars waiting in the wings, Pelicans general manager Dell Demps and head coach Alvin Gentry will be evaluated this summer, writes John Reid of the Times-Picayune. The pair have struggled to build a framework for success around Anthony Davis.
Jrue Holiday is set to become an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career, but he hasn’t yet begun to evaluate his options outside of New Orleans, as William Guillory of the Times- Picayune relays. “I haven’t thought about it, not even a little bit,” Holiday said.
Holiday’s teammates want to see him in a Pelicans’ uniform next season. “He’s huge for what we want to do here. I look at the situation, and if we have a full season, I’m pretty sure we’re in the playoffs,” Solomon Hill said. “He’s a game-changer. He’s top-10 in assists, defensively he’s one of the best point guards on both ends of the floor. That’s everything, I think that’s the main goal this offseason is to get him to re-sign and to get him to sign as long as he possibly can.”
The point guard believes he’s a good fit in coach Alvin Gentry’s system and he’s optimistic about the future of the franchise. “It’s been fun to play,” Holiday said when asked about the Pelicans‘ offense since the team traded for DeMarcus Cousins. “Obviously, we’ve been winning more frequently, put some streaks together. It’s been really good. Obviously, we added a big piece and we want to win more frequently, or whatever, but it’s been fun.”
Gentry has recently given Holiday more of a combo-guard role, playing him alongside point guard Tim Frazier in the starting lineup.
“I think that’s when he’s at his best,” said Gentry. “It’s not a negative, it’s more of a positive that, when we have two ball-handlers out there, we can create situations for Jrue where all the responsibility is not on him. I think Jrue is at his best when he’s thinking about scoring also.
“With DeMarcus [on the team], he has a tendency to want to be this ‘point guard’, but I want Jrue to always be aggressive offensively because we need those 16, 17 points that he gives us pretty much on a nightly basis.”
Holiday’s 2016/17 salary is worth slightly under $11.3MM. He’ll almost certainly see an annual salary above that figure on his next deal.
Heading into next season, the Pelicans are expected to be one of five NBA teams without their own D-League affiliate. However, that won’t be the case by the following year. The Pelicans announced today in a press release that they intend to launch their own D-League affiliate to begin play for the 2018/19 season.
According to the announcement, the Pelicans haven’t yet decided on a home for their D-League squad, which will be owned and operated by the franchise. The organization will send a Request for Proposal to 11 cities, including seven in Lousiana. The other four cities that could be in play for New Orleans’ D-League affiliate are in Mississippi (two), Alabama (one), and Florida (one).
“Our goal is to establish a Development League team in nearby proximity to our home base of New Orleans,” Pelicans owner Tom Benson said in a statement. “I have been very impressed with the growth and structure of the NBA Developmental League. It is a wise and necessary investment into the future of the Pelicans. The team will provide us with a better platform of developing our younger players and staff.
“It also will allow us the opportunity to widen the spectrum of fans that come in contact with our organization on a regional basis. In addition, it will provide us with the opportunities to further promote the game of basketball and further our community support to the region. This will be a very significant addition for a city near us as it will add global exposure and bring professional basketball to their town.”
Without a D-League affiliate of their own, the Pelicans have used the NBADL sparingly this season. Rookie big man Cheick Diallo has been assigned to the D-League several times, but the flexible assignment rule has resulted in him spending time with the Greensboro Swarm (Charlotte’s affiliate), Austin Spurs (San Antonio), and Long Island Nets (Brooklyn). A local, one-to-one affiliate will allow the Pelicans to better develop their young players in the future.
With the Pelicans poised to operate a D-League club, the only NBA teams without an affiliate – or a plan in place to add one – are the Nuggets, Clippers, Trail Blazers, and Wizards.
Of course, it’s also worth mentioning that by the time the Pelicans’ D-League affiliate launches, the league will have been re-branded as the G-League. You can read more on that story right here.
MARCH 30: The Pelicans confirmed today that neither Asik nor Pondexter will return to action this season. Asik, who is recovering from a gastrointestinal infection, is expected to resume basketball activities in about three or four weeks.
MARCH 24: Two players on the Pelicans’ roster, center Omer Asik and shooting guard Quincy Pondexter, are not expected to return for the rest of this season, head coach Alvin Gentry confirmed today, per Justin Verrier of ESPN.com.
“Both of those guys will be gearing toward the summer and next year, really,” Gentry said.
Asik, who started 19 of the 31 games he played for the Pelicans earlier this season, hasn’t been a real part of the club’s rotation since mid-December. The veteran center has appeared in just three games for New Orleans since December 21, and hasn’t seen the court at all since February 10. As Verrier notes, Asik contracted a bacterial infection that caused him to lose a significant amount of weight.
As for Pondexter, it has been a long road back for the 29-year-old, who has been sidelined by knee injuries for each of the last two seasons. Pondexter hasn’t appeared in an NBA game since April 2015, when he was a starter for the Pelicans in their first-round loss to the Warriors.
While it’s not particularly surprising that Asik and Pondexter won’t return for the Pelicans this season, it will be interesting to see how they fit into the team’s plans going forward. Asik’s contract continues to be an albatross for New Orleans — it will exceed $10.5MM next season and increase to $11.2MM+ in 2018/19. Pondexter, meanwhile, has one more year left on his deal at just under $4MM next season. Both players could be on the trade block this summer, though they’ll probably have very limited value.
With the Rockets locked into the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference, Calvin Watkins of ESPN.com wonders if it’s time for the team to shut down James Harden for a few games. Houston’s star guard is making a push for the MVP award, but has been battling a jammed left wrist, and could probably use a little rest to prepare for the postseason.
“It’s pretty tough, man, I’m not going to lie,” Harden said, admitting that his wrist issue has been bothersome. “I don’t like to feel sorry for myself at all, but just the shot is short and frustrating when you can’t really follow through and whatnot.”
Harden, who hasn’t missed a game this season, suggested earlier this month that he doesn’t believe in resting when healthy, but if there was ever a time for it, it would be now. The Rockets seem unlikely to shut down Harden for several games, but it’ll be interesting to see if the team plays it safe and dials back his playing time down the stretch.
Here’s more from around the Southwest:
- Ryan Anderson, another key Rockets player who is dealing with an injury, is expected to return from his ankle injury before the end of the regular season, as Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle tweets.
- The fourth quarter of Wednesday’s game against Dallas showed the good, bad, and ugly of the Pelicans‘ new-look roster, writes Justin Verrier of ESPN.com. Still, as Verrier observes in a separate piece, the Pelicans are getting a better sense of what does and doesn’t work with DeMarcus Cousins in the mix, which will serve the team well next season.
- Speaking to David Aldridge of NBA.com, Dirk Nowitzki answered several questions about his lengthy career with the Mavericks, calling it a “crazy ride” and adding that he’s “enjoyed every minute of it.”
- In a chat with readers, Matt Mosley of SportsDayDFW.com discussed potential Mavericks draft targets, reasons for optimism, and the respective futures of Nowitzki and Rick Carlisle.
4:01pm: The Pelicans have signed Cook to a second 10-day contract, the team confirmed today (via Twitter).
10:52am: Quinn Cook‘s first 10-day contract with the Pelicans expired overnight, but the rookie guard will receive a second 10-day deal from the team, according to Chris Haynes of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Assuming the new contract is finalized before tonight’s game against Dallas, it will expire at the end of day on April 7.
Cook, who turned 24 last Thursday, made his NBA debut last month with the Mavericks, but wasn’t retained by Dallas and eventually made his way back to the Pelicans. The former Duke Blue Devil spent training camp and the preseason with New Orleans last fall, though he didn’t initially make the cut for the team’s regular season roster.
In his latest stint with the Pelicans, Cook’s playing time has been limited — he has averaged 1.0 PPG and 0.7 APG in three games (2.7 MPG) for New Orleans. Cook’s numbers in five games with Dallas were a little better (5.4 PPG, 2.4 APG), and he excelled in D-League play earlier this season, averaging 26.0 PPG and 6.7 APG in 39 contests for the Canton Charge.
Once Cook’s second 10-day deal with New Orleans expires, the club will have to decide whether to retain him for the rest of the season. The Pelicans also continue to carry an open spot on their 15-man roster, so they have the flexibility to add another new player at some point down the stretch.
Disappointing seasons could lead to front office changes for at least five teams this summer, writes Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders.
The most obvious team headed for a shakeup is Sacramento, which reportedly wants to position someone above GM Vlade Divac and may have interest in former Sixers GM Sam Hinkie, despite an official statement denying it. There are also ongoing rumors of a rift between Vivek Ranadive and the minority ownership, which has grown frustrated with the way the team has been managed.
Kyler notes that Ken Catanella was hired as an assistant GM last summer, but wasn’t given the power that many expected him to have.
Change may also be coming to these organizations:
- Orlando — The Magic seem ready to replace GM Rob Hennigan, with Pistons executive and former Orlando player Pat Garrity as the leading candidate to be offered the job. The Magic had hoped to be playoff contenders after signing Bismack Biyombo and trading for Serge Ibaka, but the new combination never worked out. Orlando is 14th in the East at 27-47, and Ibaka was shipped to Toronto last month. Kyler cites league sources who say several of the Magic’s lower level executives are expecting changes and have started contacting other organizations.
- New Orleans — A recent report said coach Alvin Gentry and GM Dell Demps could both be fired without significant progress by the end of the season. Demps may have bought himself more timee with the DeMarcus Cousins trade, but the Pelicans have reached the playoffs just twice during his seven years at the helm. Louisiana native Joe Dumars is close to ownership and is reportedly being considered as a replacement.
- Phoenix — The Suns will miss the playoffs for the seventh consecutive year, and many believe that owner Robert Sarver wants to turn things around quickly. Ryan McDonough has amassed an impressive group of young talent in his four years as GM, but that may not be enough to convince Sarver to keep him.
- Atlanta — It’s unlikely that coach/executive Mike Budenholzer or GM Wes Wilcox gets replaced, but several staff additions are expected. The Hawks have been shaken by the loss of free agent Al Horford last season and the possible exit of Paul Millsap this summer, along with a late-season losing streak that may knock them out of the playoffs. More voices may be brought on to help Budenholzer and Wilcox with the decision-making process.
The Pelicans still have a ways to go following their acquisition of DeMarcus Cousins, Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer writes. Anthony Davis won’t become a free agent until 2020, but if Pelicans ownership doesn’t build a better team around him by then, Davis could leave for greener pastures.
“Cousins is a talented, ball-dominant player, but his biggest talent diminishes Davis’s value,” O’Connor writes. “The Brow’s worst offensive skill is his 3-point shooting, yet when Cousins bulldozes defenders, all Davis can do is float around the arc.”
The ‘elephant in the room’ regarding the Cousins deal, O’Connor writes, is Boogie’s agent stating it is “highly unlikely” DeMarcus would sign an extension following a trade. Despite acquiring Cousins for excellent value, his departure would leave the Pelicans back at square one.
“Right now the Pelicans are a team with zero title hopes, clinging to 8-seed dreams,” O’Connor concludes. “Over league history, stars stuck in those spots don’t stick around too often. Maybe things will be different with Davis, but it won’t be unless the Pelicans make drastic changes before time’s up.”
More from around the Southwest…
- Grizzlies vet Zach Randolph shared his memories of playing in the tournament with Michigan State. “When we went to the Final Four. Playing in front of our home crowd and having all the State fans being there in a big arena, it was a great experience,” Z-Bo told Grizzlies.com. Vince Carter also spoke about the experience of participating in March Madness, talking up the Final Four-bound Tar Heels. “I think they’ve established themselves as a one seed,” Carter said. “It’s all about luck and a little opportunity, but I think if they just stay disciplined and be who they are, they should be ok.”
- Donatas Motiejunas spoke about the contract debacle he endured with the Rockets. “I try not to look at it. At the end, everything is going to be cleared up,” D-Mo told Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle. “It was a long time for me not playing basketball of course. There were a lot of options, I thought about playing in Europe, a lot of teams were offering me a contract.” A free agent-to-be, Montiejunas has accumulated four DNPs in New Orleans’ last seven games.
- Mavs coach Rick Carlisle liked the aggression his team showed following J.J. Barea‘s altercation with Blake Griffin. “That was such a blatant flop, I mean how physical did you think it was?” Carlisle told Eddie Sefko of Dallas News. “The nature of that play was aggressive. It got our fans going. I think it got us going. And it was kind of one of those situations where you take a stand. And that’s how it’s got to be from here on out for our team.” While the original ruling on the court was a Flagrant-2 foul on Barea, Carlisle hopes the league can overturn the call.
Donatas Motiejunas passed up on a contract that could have paid him as much as $37MM over four years with the Rockets, deciding instead to sign a one-year minimum salary arrangement with the Pelicans. The power forward hasn’t played much in New Orleans, but he doesn’t regret his decision, Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle writes.
“Life is too short to regret for something,” Motiejunas said. “We’ll move aside and look forward. I try not to look at it. At the end, everything is going to be cleared up. Everyone’s going to forget that situation. I try not to think about it.”
Here’s more from the Southwest Division:
- Motiejunas was “fighting for his rights,” for a fair deal, according to his agent, B.J. Armstrong, as Calvin Watkins of ESPN.com relays (ESPN Now link). At the time, Motiejunas was considering options outside the NBA. “It was a long time for me not playing basketball of course,” Motiejunas said. “There were a lot of options, I thought about playing in Europe, a lot of teams were offering me a contract.”
- Although the Pelicans‘ February acquisition of DeMarcus Cousins was a good step forward in building a competitive roster around Anthony Davis, the team still has a ways to go, and doesn’t have a ton of flexibility, writes Kevin O’ Connor of The Ringer. Anthony Davis can’t become a free agent until 2020, but if New Orleans doesn’t take steps toward contention soon, speculation about an eventual departure will grow louder.
- Ryan Anderson will miss the next two weeks with an ankle injury, Walkins passes along in a full-length piece. The power forward is expected to be back before the end of the season. “The important thing is he can play two or three games before we get into the playoffs,” coach Mike D’Antoni said. “And it looks like he will be on that timetable, we won’t push it, and we’ll deal with whatever and hopefully he’ll be back sooner rather than later.”
Milo Taibi contributed to this post