While many eyes were on the likes of Al Horford and JJ Redick as potential free agent targets, the Pelicans were looking at a far, far different path. An overseas path.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Pelicans are reportedly finalizing a deal for EuroLeague forward Nicolo Melli to a multi-year deal. Melli, who was born in Italy, has spent the last two years in Turkey and the most recent season with Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul.
Melli is a stretch forward with three-point range that fills one of the biggest needs in the Pelicans rotation in both a big and shooting.
Last season in Turkey, Melli averaged 7.3 points per game while hitting 38.5 percent from beyond the arc. After struggling early in his career from three-point territory, Melli has developed into an above average shooter. Over the last four seasons, Melli has been a 42.1 percent shooting, hitting 131 of his 311 attempts from range in that span.
While the details of the deal are not known, it’s not likely to be an expensive one which should leave cap room available for the Pelicans to still be factors in the coming week.
