Let's start at the draft and discuss what the Pelicans could have done differently. Trading down might have been the best option.
Last summer the salary cap came in quite a bit higher than initially anticipated and I discussed a different path the New Orleans Pelicans could have taken rather than spending big to retain Omer Asik. Instead, with the higher than anticipated cap Dell Demps could have signed Kosta Koufos and retained much of the Pelicans continuity. That approach would have offered greater flexibility this summer and a far younger big man in Koufos on a cheaper contract.