These were the three best moves that the New Orleans Pelicans made this offseason.
The New Orleans Pelicans front office has not been the most popular around the league since they took over back in April of last year, and having limited resources this offseason (due in part to some of their own doing), they weren't equipped to change many people's minds.
From the moves that they have been able to make, though, there has been a lot to like. Here is a ranking of the top three moves they have made so far, all of which are positive:
1. Saddiq Bey Extension
After suffering a torn ACL at the end of his tenure with the Atlanta Hawks, Bey signed a bit of a "prove-it" deal with the Washington Wizards as he recovered. It was a three-year, $20 million contract. After not appearing in any games for the Wizards in the first season, they traded him to the Pelicans. For the production they got out of him, he was on one of the best contracts in the league, making a little bit over $6 million both last year and this upcoming one. New Orleans did the right thing in awarding him a three-year, $55 million extension ahead of this season. That's a fair price for an important player.
2. Benedict Mathurin's Contract
The wording of Mathurin's contract specifically is not by accident. Having to trade Jordan Hawkins, and thus Micah Peavy plus some assets, to get it done was frustrating, as Hawkins' option shouldn't have been picked up. They did get a great deal on Mathurin, though, as he should provide much more production than a typical player making about $8 million. They got the player they wanted and can now get a look at how he fits without making a major monetary investment in him.
3. Signing Julian Reese to a Two-Way Deal
It feels very rare to see a move made by the Pelicans that everyone seems happy with. Reese was someone highlighted by many fans as someone they should add. He is a fun, young player who fills a need and could play in a spot role. He feels sort of close to what they got in Bryce McGowens last year. Reese is another DMV player who has now been teammates with Derik Queen in high school, college and now the NBA. He is a locker room fit and should provide a solid rebounding option. It will also be fun to see a Reese playing basketball in Louisiana again, as he is the brother of former LSU Tigers superstar Angel Reese.
