Pelicans Interior Defense Still Needs Improvement

New Orleans, LA - The start of the Pelicans regular season is less than two months away. New Orleans tweaked its roster for the upcoming season, hoping to be a contending team in the West. Pelicans Executive Vice President David Griffin said in a press conference this offseason the team was 'looking for rim protection and shooting.'

New Orleans addressed one of those needs in the NBA Draft by selecting sharpshooter Jordan Hawkins from the University of Connecticut. Hawkins was considered the best shooter in the draft by many and led the Huskies to a National Title while shooting 38% from beyond the arc.

That leaves the need for rim protection. New Orleans regressed in size over the summer, losing Jaxson Hayes and Willy Hernangomez in free agency. The Pelicans did sign free agent center Cody Zeller in July. New Orleans will need more for their interior defense to improve.

Last season the Pelicans were dead last in opponent field goal percentage within five feet (68.5%). They ranked 14th in opponents' points in the paint (49.6) and 23rd in blocks per game (4.1). In the past, New Orleans has tried a defensive-minded approach at the center position.

Over the past four seasons, the Pelicans have used centers such as Derrick Favors and Steven Adams to anchor the middle. Jonas Valanciunas has been the man in the middle the past two seasons, but he is on an expiring contract this year. New Orleans was recently linked in rumors to Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen.

Recent history shows interior defense is a major key to winning a title. Over the last five seasons, only the Denver Nuggets won a championship without a top-seven defense in opponents' points in the paint. There are still a few free-agent centers available such as Bismack Biyombo or Serge Ibaka, who specialize in defense.

According to Sportrac, the Pelicans are $2.9 million over the tax line. They have never paid the luxury tax in their franchise history. With Jonas on an expiring contract, the team could use his expiring deal as an enticement for another team to part with a defensive stopper. The Pelicans would lose some offensive power in the process, but the team must find a way to be more stout in the middle.