With each of New Orleans’ top 11 scorers from last season returning to the roster in 2015-16, opportunities for new players to crack the rotation and log significant minutes don’t appear to be plentiful. Yet when Dell Demps scoured the list of available NBA free agents this summer, he still managed to find two veterans who should be able to make valuable contributions for the Pelicans – whether that means on or off the court.
In July, New Orleans signed 12-year veteran and 2008 NBA champion Kendrick Perkins, as well as 28-year-old wing Alonzo Gee. In varying ways, the seasoned pros have seen just about everything since entering the league: Perkins has appeared in three NBA Finals over the past eight seasons (with Boston, Oklahoma City, Cleveland), while Gee has previously suited up for five different teams.