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Brooklyn Nets: Pelicans lottery win helps Brooklyn

By Arjun Balaraman

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - MARCH 26: Julius Randle #30 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts during a game against the Atlanta Hawks at the Smoothie King Center on March 26, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - MARCH 26: Julius Randle #30 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts during a game against the Atlanta Hawks at the Smoothie King Center on March 26, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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Julius Randle could be a great signing for the Brooklyn Nets in free agency. The Pelicans lottery win helped the Nets’ chances at landing the former Laker.

The New Orleans Pelicans won the all-important race for Zion Williamson last Tuesday when they were awarded the first overall pick in the 2019 draft. That ping-pong ball victory by the Pelicans may benefit the Brooklyn Nets indirectly.

The Pelicans, who had just a 6 percent chance of winning the lottery, now have a centerpiece who will become the new face of this franchise.

While Executive VP of Basketball Operations David Griffin has mentioned repeatedly that he will try to keep disgruntled superstar Anthony Davis in Louisiana, sources told Shams Charania of Stadium/The Athletic that Davis’ stance hadn’t changed despite the franchise potentially drafting Zion.

But what does this mean for the Nets? Anthony Puccio and Net Income of NetsDaily wrote about how the draft went well from a Nets perspective by virtue of their crosstown rivals dropping down to the third pick.

"“In the end, the Nets did well in the Draft Lottery … without being in it. With the Knicks falling to No. 3 and the Pelicans winning the rights to Zion Williamson, the worst case scenario for Brooklyn got a lot less likely.“The Knicks won’t have Williamson to vault them into another New York basketball stratosphere and the remote possibility of New York trading for Anthony Davis became even more remote.”"

The Knicks are obviously one of the Nets’ biggest rivals in this upcoming free agency.

With the same New York market, two max slots and Madison Square Garden to boot, the Knicks will be competing with the Nets for the likes of Kawhi Leonard, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving this offseason.

And, while the Nets have their sights set on those blue-chip free agents, actually acquiring one of those top players is much harder said than done. They will face competition not only from the Knicks, but also the Clippers, Lakers and others for those superstars.

Signing one, or potentially even two, of Durant, Leonard, and Irving would obviously be the first choice for Brooklyn this offseason as it would instantly transform the franchise into contenders.

But as coach Kenny Atkinson said on the Full 48 podcast with Howard Beck:

"“We’re going to have options. A, I think we all know what A is. There’s some great players out there. But we also feel comfortable with B, C and D that if it doesn’t go our way in free agency.”"

The lottery going to the Pelicans made some of those backup plans more exciting.

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Griffin and general manager Trajan Langdon, hired after three years as the Nets’ assistant GM, are all but guaranteed to draft Zion Williamson this June with the first overall pick and will look to build around the former Duke superstar.

As the most hyped player coming into the NBA since LeBron James, Zion will almost assuredly be ushered straight into the starting lineup for New Orleans.

At 6-7 and 285 pounds, Williamson’s natural position in today’s NBA is the power forward spot, although he could also play small-ball center thanks to his great rebounding skills. This means he’ll presumably take Julius Randle’s spot in the Pelicans’ rotation.

Amid all of the Anthony Davis drama and the mess surrounding the Pelicans franchise, Randle managed to have a career year under coach Alvin Gentry.

He grossly outperformed his sub-$9 million salary by averaging 21.4 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists a night on 52.4 percent shooting, including 34.4 percent from downtown on 2.7 attempts per game.

The only other players to match those numbers for points, rebounds, assists and 3s made were Joel Embiid, Russell Westbrook, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Anthony Davis. Decent company for a 24-year-old former Lakers outcast.

While he was expected to opt out of his $9 million player option for this year before the lottery, Randle will surely now become an unrestricted free agent and look for a new home next season.

If the Nets don’t manage to land Irving, Leonard, or Durant, Randle seems like a great match at the power forward position. The 4 spot has been an area of trouble all season, with the Nets often turning to rookie Rodions Kurucs or veterans Jared Dudley and DeMarre Carroll to play in that spot.

Randle would be an instant upgrade at the position, and fits well alongside Jarrett Allen in the Nets frontcourt.

At 6-foot-9 and 250 pounds, Randle is a big body and will add some much-needed physicality to a Nets team whose lack of size was apparent during the 4-1 loss to Philadelphia in the first round of the playoffs.

Offensively, he is a strong presence inside and an underrated creator capable of running pick-and-rolls himself who can also stretch the floor.

He also fits perfectly with the Nets timeline. At 24, Randle is entering his fifth season and will be able to develop well with D’Angelo Russell (23), Caris LeVert (24), Allen (21) and Spencer Dinwiddie (26).

He has a strong history with D’Angelo, as the two played together during the guard’s first two seasons in Los Angeles, and a reunion could form a deadly pick-and-roll combo.

With his near All-star level play, Randle has probably earned himself a contract in the $15 million to $20 million range per season.

If the Nets miss out on the marquee free agents and re-sign D’Angelo Russell to a deal in the $20 million to $25 million annual range, they will still have space for Randle and some more additional pieces to help the team take the next step into contenders next season.

Given his fit systematically and culturally with the Nets, it may not be a bad backup option.

Nets' 15 best draft picks. dark. Next

No matter what happens this offseason, the future looks bright in Brooklyn.

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