Gee Balance/ The Who Dat Daily.com

New Orleans Pelicans Contributor

New Orleans, LA- The New Orleans Pelicans opened the 2019 free agency period firing on all cylinders by inking one the leagues key three point shooters in JJ Redick. The deal is for two years and valued at $26.5 million. The Pelicans understood that after landing basketball phenom Zion Williamson, that they’ll need to add shooters to compliment him. Redick averaged 18 ppg shot almost 40% from downtown and had his most productive season last year with the Philadelphia 76ers.

Redick whose 35 years old and was a eleventh overall first round pick in 2006 out of Duke. JJ 6-4 200 lbs has increased his point totals over the last several seasons correlating with more playing time. His 41.3% career three point shooting average is one of the tops during that span and solves a major issue for the Pelicans. The question now remains is “Where do they play Redick?” The proposed line up has guards Lonzo Ball & Jrue Holiday paired together. The best use of JJ’s abilities might be just to utilize him off the bench as a six man.

The only knock on Redick is his defensive acumen which has gotten better over the years. This is a major signing that elevates the Pelicans in the Western Conference Race and leaves them with $18 million remaining to spend.

Other New Orleans Pelicans News Items

-The Pelicans according to several media outlets have traded for Utah big Derrick Favors. The deal was essentially Favors for two second round draft picks from New Orleans (2021 and 2023 second-round picks — both via Warriors). Favors 6-10 265 lbs drafted third overall in the 2010 draft out of Georgia Tech, is 27 years old and averaged 11.8 ppg 7.4 rebs in 76 games last year for the Jazz. What Favors brings is size and physicality to New Orleans and is an experienced player who starts at center for you. Favors has one year remaining on a 2 year deal worth $37.6 million, which carries a base salary of $16 million annually.

The Pelicans Starting Lineup is starting to take shape with:

PG- Lonzo Ball

SG- Jrue Holiday

SF- Brandon Ingram

PF- Zion Williamson

C- Derrick Favors

6th Man JJ Redick

-The Pelicans also inked Euro star Nicolo Melli to a 2 year deal worth $8 million. Melli whose 6-9 235 lbs, was the EuroLeague Finals’ top scorer and averaged 7.3 ppg with 4.1 rebs.

The Draft Express had this breakdown on Melli’s game: “Melli is a versatile player, capable of (and very much enjoying apparently) grabbing a rebounding and bringing the ball up-court himself. He is a good ball-handler and a solid passer, also showing a nice stroke from outside, and some very basic ability to play with his back to the basket in the post. He is pretty skilled for his size (6-9) and shows a good frame too. Athletically he is good, but definitely not great, and his touch and all-around feel for the game leave a lot of room for optimism regarding his future development.”

-The Pelicans inked Zion Williamson to his rookie contract and made it official. The deals details weren’t released but the first-year base salary is currently $9,757,400 with two years guaranteed, several one-year options to follow and the ability to become a restricted free agent or sign a rookie extension before his fifth year in the league. Rookies are also subject to five percent increases on their salary per year.

Williamson the Duke star and basketball phenom was selected by New Orleans first overall in the 2019 NBA Draft. The Pel’s have done a masterful job of adding talent around Zion via trade, draft and now free agency. The team’s future is looking very bright in The Big Easy.