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#3 Kyle Lowry
It’s unclear how many more quality years Kyle Lowry has. But the 15-year veteran was one of the most sought-after point guards at the trade deadline and one the New Orleans Pelicans could pursue.
The Toronto Raptors guard is a winner, and his ability to be a difference-maker at point was sorely missed in the postseason by a couple of teams that passed up a trade for him. Two such teams were the LA Lakers and the Philadelphia 76ers.
This season, Lowry has averaged 17.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game. Moreover, he has made 39.6% of his 3-point attempts. If the New Orleans Pelicans sign him in the off-season, he will give Williamson and one-time All-Star Brandon Ingram the space they need in the paint; he could also find the duo for wide-open shots.
#2 Buddy Hield
One shooter whom the New Orleans Pelicans should absolutely pursue is Buddy Hield. The Sacramento Kings guard has the shooting touch the Pelicans covet. He is the kind of player who could create space for Williamson and Ingram, sucking defenses away from the paint.
Hield is a career 40.6% 3-point shooter, and he made 39.1% of his three-pointers during the 2020-21 season. He was third in the league, making four 3-pointers per game and was second only to Stephen Curry in 3-pointers made, with 282.
It would probably take a lot of negotiating sessions with the Kings for the New Orleans Pelicans to acquire Hield, as he still has three years left on a four-year contract extension worth $86 million. But it would be an investment worth their effort.
#1 Reggie Jackson
Playing in the 2021 NBA Playoffs has put Reggie Jackson in the spotlight and possibly in the New Orleans Pelicans' radar. The 10-year veteran is starring for the LA Clippers after Kawhi Leonard injured his knee in the Western Conference semi-finals.
In the postseason, he is averaging 17.6 points while shooting 50.5% from the field and 42% from the 3-point range. In the absence of Leonard, Jackson has stepped up his scoring, putting up 23 points a night on 53.7% shooting from the field and 38.1% from three in five games.
If the New Orleans Pelicans want a point guard with experience but one who isn’t a big-name player who will eat up their cap space, Jackson may just be the perfect fit for the team.
Also Read: 5 big takeaways from the 2021 NBA Draft Lottery results.
