The New Orleans Pelicans still have one roster spot sitting there, and the way this offseason has unfolded, it’s become a real talking point.
Outside of taking second-round pick Jaron Pierre, Jr., their only other notable move was bringing back 37-year-old center DeAndre Jordan on a guaranteed two-year deal. That return helped stabilize the depth chart a little, but it didn’t erase the bigger issue: New Orleans still looks thin in the middle.
Right now, the Pelicans’ center group is made up of third-year raw player Yves Missi, Jordan, and former second-round pick Karlo Matkovic. On top of that, the team plans to play Zion Williamson and Derik Queen together for extended stretches, even though that pairing was one of the worst on the roster last season in both defensive rating and net rating. That leaves the front office with a pretty clear need - another big body who can provide some insurance at center.
The problem is that the market has dried up. Most, if not all, of the notable centers are already gone, which leaves New Orleans searching for someone to fill the role. If the Pelicans can’t find a serviceable option, the interior defense could be in trouble again.
That’s not exactly a new concern. Over the last two seasons, New Orleans has ranked near the bottom of the league in defensive rebounding, which has only made the need for more size and stability more obvious.
There is another path, though. The Pelicans could simply leave the final spot open for now and keep flexibility for a trade later on. That would give them a chance to absorb another player down the line if they decide to move one of their high-priced guards, Jordan Poole or Dejounte Murray.
Money matters here, too. New Orleans is about $8.2 million below the luxury tax line and has never paid the tax in franchise history.
Holding the spot open would help them avoid hard caps or tax thresholds for the moment and preserve room for a move closer to the trade deadline. They could also dip into their Summer League group and look for a cheaper answer there.
One name that popped in Summer League was Kobe Bufkin. He was the Pelicans’ standout in their opening game, scoring a game-high 30 points.
The former first-round pick is trying to get his career back on track after injuries wrecked his first three seasons. He showed he can score in a variety of ways and even made his presence felt on defense.
Bufkin may have played well enough to earn a standard NBA roster spot somewhere, but the fit in New Orleans is awkward. With Murray, Poole, Jeremiah Fears, and even Herb Jones occasionally handling the ball and starting offense, there just aren’t enough minutes to justify another guard on the main roster. The cleaner move would be to try to get him on an open two-way spot, though he may have done enough to attract interest from another team instead.
For now, the best-case scenario for the Pelicans is simple: keep the spot open and keep working for a starting-caliber center. If nothing comes together before training camp, they’ll be counting on newly hired head coach Jamahl Mosley to help lift the defense. Mosley has a reputation as a defensive motivator, and with a young roster, the hope is that better habits early can pay off all season long.