The New Orleans Pelicans have Anthony Davis back on a long extension and they still have moves to make this offseason, as Norris Cole remains a free agent target and could return despite getting interest from the Philadelphia 76ers in free agency and it comes after the team signed Kendrick Perkins to a contract and the team also has to decide on whether to pick up the option on Toney Douglas.
The Pelicans have roster moves to make in the coming weeks, as the Times Picayune reports that New Orleans has 12 players under contract coming into the end of July. According to John Reid at NOLA.com, the team has signed Kendrick Perkins to a one-year deal and the Pelicans are still interested in bringing back Cole on a contract. Cole is a restricted free agent and that means the Pelicans can match any deal he gets on the market.
The Philadelphia 76ers have reportedly been interested in Cole and if they go after the point guard, the Pelicans would have a few days to match. Reid writes that the point guard situation is not settled even if Cole returns, as the team has "to make a decision" on Toney Douglas. Sources reported to Reid that the team has a deadline of August 1 to decide on whether to pick up the option on Douglas' contract. The team has Tyreke Evans and Jrue Holiday along with Douglas and Anthony Davis has said that he hopes the team brings back Cole.
Douglas was previously signed to a two year deal worth over $1 million and the Pelicans are "still holding out hope" that they can bring back Cole. There are teams that need a backup point guard and Cole has not had too much interest on the market since he is a restricted free agent. The Sixers have the cap space to place a large offer on Cole, but they may not feel this situation is worth it. The Pelicans are hoping that is the case, as Cole has been a capable player and the team dealt with injuries to both Holiday and Evans last season.
Reid writes that if the Sixers or another team goes after Cole and gives him a big offer, the team could work out a sign and trade to get some compensation back. Adding Cole would be big for the Pelicans, as the team had interest in keeping Seth Curry from their Summer League team, but he signed with the Sacramento Kings. The site reports that Perkins' deal will be for the minimum and that will leave the Pelicans around $10 million below the salary cap.
With the addition of Perkins and the potential of keeping Douglas and Cole, the Pelicans would be close to the roster limit, as that would give the team 14 players. The Pelicans were fairly active this offseason, signing Davis to a huge extension at $145 million and they also signed back Omer Asik, Dante Cunningham and Luke Babbitt. Cole was acquired from the Heat in a trade last season and he played in 75 games while averaging 7.6 points and 3.4 assists per game.
Check here for more on the New Orleans Pelicans offseason moves.
