New Orleans Pelicans: Time to Pay Rajon Rondo and Sign Carmelo Anthony
The New Orleans Pelicans did what some thought they couldn’t. When DeMarcus Cousins went down with a season-ending injury, most NBA analysts pegged the Pelicans to miss the playoffs. However, Anthony Davis stepped up but he wasn’t alone. Just when the Pelicans needed help, Rajon Rondo regained his Boston Celtics’ championship form and delivered a great run to end the second half and the playoffs. But then, the shortcomings of the team came to light against the Golden Warriors. But with two offseason signings, everything can change. It may be time to bring in Carmelo Anthony.
With the Oklahoma City Thunder rumored to be looking for a way to move on from Anthony, the Pelicans may be a top destination for the former All-Star player. What this decision will come down to is money and years. The Thunder have an option to pick up his contract for the 2018 season and pay him $24 million. However, they also have the option of signing him, then trading Anthony for pieces or exercise the early termination clause.
If Anthony hits the open market, then why not? Why should the Pelicans sit back and watch a team like the Houston Rockets or Philadelphia 76ers make a play when there’s a real good chance Carmelo Anthony will be forced to drop his asking price? If the Pelicans can strike a deal with Anthony for close to $10 million per, then the Pelicans will have the weapons necessary to contend with the Warriors and Rockets in 2018. But they still must sign Rajon Rondo as well.
Rondo proved during the playoffs that he’s an important piece to their championship puzzle.
Should The Pelicans Sign Rajon Rondo and Carmelo Anthony?
During the regular season, Rondo averaged 8.3 points, 8.2 assists, and 4.0 rebounds while shooting close to 47 percent from the floor. But it was what Rondo was able to do in his nine playoff games this season that may have sealed his fate with the Pelicans going forward. With Jrue Holiday able to play off the ball more, Rondo was given the keys to the offense and he produced to the tune of 10.3 points, 12.2 assists, and 7.6 rebounds, but hit only 41 percent of his shots from the field.
Rondo signed a one-year deal for $3.3 million and it’s safe to say that he has earned a pay increase. But for how much? If the Pelicans can find a way to obtain the services of both Rajon Rondo and Carmelo Anthony this offseason, then they should be able to squash any rumors of Anthony Davis leaving to join the Boston Celtics.
But first things first, the New Orleans Pelicans must get Rajon Rondo signed then work on Anthony. If they are forced to move Holiday back to PG, then this will no longer be the team that made a heck of a playoff run this year. The Pelicans had better ball movement with Cousins out and by adding a perimeter player like Anthony, it will provide better spacing for Davis and Rondo to do what they do best. Even with his struggles this year in OKC, Carmelo Anthony still has it in him to average 18+ point per game.
What the New Orleans Pelicans must ask themselves is, how bad they want to win?
[BXReporter]
Mark has been covering Sports and Entertainment for the past six years. His work has been featured on Bleacher Report, ESPN, Fox Sports, Teen Vogue, and many other websites.
