Norris Cole is one of the notable free agents left on the market and teams like the New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers could be interested, while the New Orleans Pelicans are looking to bring the point guard for a return to the Big Easy and that could happen, as he is in restricted free agency and NO can match offers from teams.
Cole was traded last season from Miami to the Pelicans and the team has reportedly been interested in having him return. According to the New Orleans Times-Picayune, the Pelicans want Cole back and the team has already waived Toney Douglas after signing him to a deal last season. Cole helped the team when they dealt with injuries at the position and he could push to start ahead of Jrue Holiday and Tyreke Evans if he comes back.
Cole did not have much interest on the market through July, with reports having the Philadelphia 76ers looking at him, but now other teams could take a look. According to Sam Amico of Fox Sports, the Sixers, New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers all could consider signing Cole, but the Pelicans remain interested in matching offers. Amico writes that the Knicks could consider making a move, but it's unlikely they will be able to sign the guard, as the team only has so much cap space to offer and the Pelicans can match deals.
The Knicks have Jerian Grant coming in as a rookie and they already have Jose Calderon, but Calderon is in the final year of his contract and has dealt with injury issues in the past. Calderon is considered to be a potential trade option this season and the Knicks may want to add some more point guard depth as insurance moving forward. The Lakers have plenty of talent at point guard with D'Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson, but the team reportedly is looking for some veteran depth at the position as well.
According to RealGM, the Lakers showed interest in trading for Ty Lawson before he was traded to the Houston Rockets and that signals that the team wants to bring in another PG. The Lakers are confident in Russell and Clarkson, but they realize that the players are very inexperienced, especially Russell after coming out as a freshman into the NBA. The Lakers may not push hard for Cole since the Pelicans can match, but he could be a nice fit for the team, as Cole has playoffs and championship experience while playing with LeBron James in Miami.
The Sixers don't have much experience at point guard and they could give Cole an offer that the Pelicans can't match since they have cap space. But the team may not want to use that much on Cole and that could open up his return to New Orleans. According to the New Orleans Times-Picayune, Anthony Davis said that he hopes the Pelicans bring back Cole. Last season Cole averaged 7.6 points and 3.4 assists per game in 75 games for Miami and New Orleans.
Check here for more on the interest in Norris Cole in free agency.
