Behind the scenes in the doldrums of the NBA in September, a bidding war was taking place between the T’Wolves and the Pelicans for the services of Dante Cunningham (that is NBA life in September, not the glitz and glam of July for free agents).
Cunningham had a definite role as a reserve for the Pelicans last season playing at the 3 and the 4 and averaging 6.6 points and 4.2 rebounds on 39% shooting from three-point range in 25 minutes per game.
The Pelicans and Wolves are both in dire need of depth at the forward positions and were competing for Cunningham’s services in 2017-18, he ultimately chose to re-sign in New Orleans.
Cunningham has agreed to a one-year, $2.3M deal with New Orleans, league sources tell The Vertical. https://t.co/C9BF6n6hBE
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 19, 2017
This is a good move for the Pelicans as having a good defender who can fill in at the 3 position, something they sorely need with Solomon Hill’s injury, is essential to their chances of making the postseason. Cunningham’s catch-and-shoot ability will help spread the floor for Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins and will be sorely needed with either Rajon Rondo or Tony Allen on the floor.
Cunningham has really grown as an NBA player and carved out a nice role as a combo forward who can knock down threes and defend, teams can never have enough of those kind of players.
