The New Orleans Pelicans are setting their sights on the offseason after a thoroughly disastrous season. Failing to meet high expectations, the Pelicans are now left wondering how to improve the team around superstar forward Anthony Davis in order to once again make the postseason. That means a very important free agency period is coming up.
As free agency nears, it appears the Pelicans are eyeing free agent small forward Kent Bazemore, according to Michael Scotto of Sheridan Hoops. Having just added former Hawks GM Danny Ferry to their front office, it makes sense that the Pelicans may pursue Bazemore who played for the Hawks the last two seasons.
Bazemore may not be a household name, but he will be a highly sought after player this summer. After Kevin Durant and Nicolas Batum, one could argue that Bazemore is the best available wing player, especially considering he will likely get less that a max deal (though he will certainly still get paid quite a bit).
In four seasons in the league, Bazemore has played for three different teams, already, but it appears he has found a role he can excel in. The Old Dominion product has become a good defender and shooter, with just enough of an off-the-dribble game to keep himself from being one-dimensional. At 26 years old, he is young enough to continue developing and becoming a real force on the wings.
So, of course the Pelicans are interested in adding Kent Bazemore to a team that struggled nearly everywhere but could really use shooting around Davis in an Alvin Gentry offense. They now have Ferry as a connection, possibly giving them an edge to signing the small forward who has proclaimed he would like to stay in Atlanta, but there will plenty more teams interested in his services come July.
