Pelicans' Omer Asik: Appears likely to start at center this season

Asik started at center and produced nine points (4-7 FG, 1-2 FT), seven rebounds, one assist and one block across 24 minutes in Thursday's 114-111 preseason loss to the Magic.

Analysis:

Coach Alvin Gentry hasn't announced a starting center, but with Asik receiving the nod over Alexis Ajinca in the final four preseason contests, it seems likely the Turkish big man will claim those duties. Asik is coming off a miserable season in which he averaged just 4.0 points and 6.1 rebounds over 17.3 minutes per game, and would likely be off the roster if he wasn't under contract on an exorbitant five-year, $58 million deal. While he performed marginally better during the Pelicans' six-game exhibition schedule, it's unlikely that he'll notice a huge surge in minutes, as Gentry frequently likes to deploy starting power forward Anthony Davis at center over the course of the game. That's beneficial for Terrence Jones, the Pelicans' top big man off the bench, but works to the detriment of Asik and Ajinca.