Pelicans’ low-key NBA Draft night includes Tony Carr pick, look ahead to free agency challenges

METAIRIE, La. — It was a very low-key affair at the New Orleans Pelicans’ headquarters on draft night.

The Pels had just one pick, number 51, after sending their first round selection to Chicago in the deal that netted Niko Mirotić.

So, after a couple of hours of waiting and speculating, New Orleans made its move and drafted Penn State guard Tony Carr.

Carr, a 6-5 sophomore, averaged 19.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.9 assists for the Nittany Lions last season and was named an Associated Press Honorable Mention All-American.

“We like his ability to score,” said General Manager Dell Demps. “We didn’t think he was going to drop this far, so we feel lucky to have the opportunity to draft him.”

For his part, Carr was excited to have the opportunity to join the Pelicans, noting that he had watched the team throughout the playoffs and felt like his skill set would mesh well with what the team already has.

“It’s a dream come true,” Carr said via phone call. “It’s still mind-blowing; it hasn’t really hit me yet. I’m just blessed to be coming to a great place like New Orleans and for a great organization like the Pelicans.”

“I feel like I can shoot the three ball (43 pct from deep in 2017-18), I feel like I can excel at getting my teammates involved…hopefully get those guys easy shots, and just continue to play my game.”

Carr is talented, but the 51st pick is still the 51st pick. He’ll be a long shot to make the opening night lineup, and is a more likely candidate for a two-way contract or outright G-League assignment.

He’ll have the opportunity to impress at the Las Vegas Summer League, where he will join Cheick Diallo and Frank Jackson as well as 9-10 other players hoping to make their NBA dreams a reality.

The addition of Carr gives the Pelicans four guards on their current roster, with Jrue Holiday, E’Twaun Moore, and Jackson all currently under contract.

With the drama, what little there was, of the draft behind them, and with only eight days before the start of free agency, attention quickly shifted back to the team’s biggest offseason question marks…DeMarcus Cousins and Rajon Rondo.

“We’ve been in communication with both of their representatives,” Demps said. “It’s free agency. In a perfect world, we’d like to have both of them back. Hopefully we can get those guys back. We want to keep moving forward. Both of those guys were big parts of our success this year, and I’ll tell you now; July 1 is going to be a busy day for us.”

Cousins’ rehabilitation will be a part of all discussions regarding his contract, and Demps was able to give an update on the All-Star’s progress.

“He’s right on schedule,” he added. “We haven’t seen any setbacks. He’s committed to getting back ready to play.”

Demps has seen some notable offseasons. His first playoff team was dismantled by trade. His second was decimated by injury. After reaching the postseason for just the third time in his tenure, Demps knows the stakes for the franchise he’s led since 2010.

“It’s so competitive,” Demps said. “We’re gonna embrace that challenge. We feel good about our core. We feel good about the way we finished. But we’re also not satisfied. We also want to take another step. I think bringing back our core guys, the continuity is going to be very important for us.”

Continuity is something the Pelicans have struggled to find over the years. Starting July 1, we’ll see if it remains elusive for the team or if it is the “new normal” in New Orleans.