Having lost starting point guard Rajon Rondo to the Los Angeles Lakers in free agency, it seems apparent that the New Orleans Pelicans are in the market for another ball handler.
The issue here is free agency has dried up some and the Pelicans themselves don’t have a lot of cash to throw around. With free agent signing Elfrid Payton already aboard, the Pelicans are now being linked to Atlanta Hawks star guard Dennis Schroder.
NBA source tells me #Pelicans have “had discussions” about acquiring Atlanta Hawks point guard Dennis Schroder in trade.
Unsure how far talks got.
I’m told NOLA likes his talent, potential fit on court… but has MAJOR concerns about his pending legal issues (felony assault). pic.twitter.com/QkLrzvn30C
— Fletcher Mackel (@FletcherWDSU) July 4, 2018
As the report notes, New Orleans is concerned about Schroder’s current legal situation. The 24-year-old point guard was arrested this past September on battery charges.
On the court, Schroder would be a perfect fit next to Jrue Holiday in the backcourt. He averaged a career best 19.4 points to go with 6.2 assists last season.
It remains to be seen what a potential deal might look like, but Atlanta is in a cost-cutting situation as it continues a lengthy rebuild. New Orleans doesn’t have the ability to pick Schroder up in a straight salary dump. The German is currently playing under a four-year, $70 million deal he inked with Atlanta back in 2016.