Pelicans hoping John Salmons can make impact at small forward

This summer, veteran small forward John Salmons wasn’t considered one of the top available players in free agency. But he was near the top of the New Orleans Pelicans’ priority list.

He was targeted because of his experience and potential to be a consistent contributor. For the past three seasons, the Pelicans desired consistency from 24-year-old small forward Al-Farouq Aminu.

Aminu, however, could not deliver despite starting the previous two seasons. The Pelicans did not extend Aminu a contract offer this summer as an unrestricted free agent, which led to him signing a two-year deal to join the Dallas Mavericks.

Still, the small forward position appears to be the Pelicans’ weakest spot heading into next Tuesday’s start of training camp. It’s likely that Salmons, a 12-year veteran, will be in a competitive battle with third-year forward Darius Miller and Luke Babbitt for the starting job.

Also, it has not been ruled out that swingman Tyreke Evans could move into the spot as a starter if Pelicans coach Monty Williams decides to stick with Eric Gordon as the starting shooting guard.

Williams has not disclosed his plans yet, but he thinks they have enough talent whichever way he uses his rotation.

''I’m excited about our roster,’’ Williams said last week. ''That doesn’t mean I’m not always trying to figure out ways for us to get better.''

At 34, Salmons is the oldest player on the team’s roster. But the Pelicans are hoping he still has plenty left to emerge. Salmons has been in the league since 2002-03, having played for the Chicago Bulls, Sacramento Kings, Milwaukee Bucks and Toronto Raptors.

Salmons, who signed a one-year, $2 million contract, has not been in a starting role since the 2012-13 season when he started 72 of 76 games for the Sacramento Kings and averaged 8.8 points.

As a backup, Salmons played 60 games with the Toronto Raptors last season and averaged 5.0 points and 2.0 rebounds. In June, the Raptors traded Salmons to the Atlanta Hawks.

Immediately after acquiring him, Atlanta put Salmons on waivers to clear salary cap space that allowed him to become an unrestricted free agent. While the Pelicans are aiming for Salmons to emerge, they also want Miller to excel like he did this past April, when he scored in double figures in three of the final five games of the season.

In July, Miller was not extended a $1.15 million qualifying offer and became an unrestricted free agent. But the Pelicans still wanted to bring him back. He signed for one year at a veterans’ minimum of $915,243, which is non-guaranteed.

Babbitt is also expected to compete for minutes at the spot because of his ability to score from the perimeter. He played in 27 games with the Pelicans last season and averaged 6.3 points.

New Orleans Pelicans small forwards
Jason Salmons 6-6, 207 (2013-14: 60 games, 5.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.2 blocks)
Darius Miller 6-8, 225 (2013-14: 45 games, 4.4 ppg., 1.2 rpg., 1.0 apg,, 0.2 bpg.)
Luke Babbitt 6-9, 225 (2013-14: 27 games, 6.3 ppg., 3.3 rpg., 1.1 apg., 0.4 bpg.)


(nola.com)