Norris Cole is a free agent and the NY Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers have interest in signing the point guard to a deal and this comes as the New Orleans Pelicans would like Cole to return and that could happen for Anthony Davis, as Cole is in restricted free agency and the team can match offers for him on the market.
The Pelicans have been looking to sign back Cole this offseason, but so far the two sides have not agreed on a deal. Cole was acquired in a trade with the Miami Heat last season and Anthony Davis has said publically that he hopes Cole returns. According to Sam Amico at Fox Sports, Cole is generating interest for teams on the market, including the NY Knicks and the Philadelphia 76ers. The Sixers have had interest since early July in Cole, while the Knicks news has come up recently.
The Knicks have Jerian Grant and Jose Calderon and point guard and could look at Cole as depth, while the Sixers don't have a great roster with Tony Wroten, Isaiah Canaan, Pierre Jackson and Scottie Wilbekin as options and they have cap space to make a competitive deal with Cole. Last season Cole averaged 7.6 points and 3.4 assists in 75 games for the Heat and Pelicans and he has experience playing for a championship team in Miami. Cole shot over 40 percent from the field and he helped the Pelicans while the team was dealing with injuries at PG.
The Knicks have been trying to finish off the roster heading into training camp and the team just added Kevin Seraphin on a free agent deal. The Knicks used the exception they had on Seraphin, according to ESPN New York and that means they only have the veterans minimum to use in more free agent deals. According to Ian Begley, if the team brings in all guaranteed roster players along with Langston Galloway, they will have one roster spot open coming out of camp.
All of that makes adding Cole unlikely, but the Knicks have reportedly been interested in adding some depth at point guard, according to ESPN New York. Phil Jackson wanted a backup center for Robin Lopez and now that he has that, Begley writes that a guard or outside shooter could be another target. The Knicks reportedly will consider Thanasis Antetokounmpo for a roster spot along with Darion Atkins and Wesley Saunders in camp, but that is still a bit in the future.
According to the New Orleans Times-Picayune, the Pelicans are looking to sign back Cole this offseason and they have the ability to match offers and that is why his return is likely. The Sixers reportedly have had interest in JR Smith as well, according to Scotto, but that interest has waned. Cole is one of the most notable players on the market and the Pelicans may want to sign him to keep Davis happy, as he just inked a huge extension to stay with the franchise. The Pelicans have waived Toney Douglas after signing him last year following some 10-day contracts and that could open the door for Cole to return now on a new deal.
Check here for more on interest in Cole from the Knicks and Sixers and for more on the Pelicans signing back Cole.