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It would be fitting for the team that inspired the #FreePierreJackson movement to put an end to the impending #FreeK.J.McDaniels movement.
The New Orleans Pelicans have shown interest in the restricted free agent, according to a report from SB Nation, and McDaniels is said to be eager to sign now that the free-agent moratorium has ended.
The Houston Rockets have reportedly maintained that they'll match any offer sheet that McDaniels signs, but they're also open to exploring trade options.
McDaniels was off to a terrific start in his rookie season with the Philadelphia 76ers before being dealt to Houston at the trade deadline. The superior Rockets didn't have much room for him in their rotation, instead surrendering Isaiah Canaan and a second-round pick primarily for McDaniels' potential to help them down the line, perhaps as soon as 2015-16.
A player coming off of his rookie season being a restricted free agent is unusual, but the No. 32 overall pick opted to bet big on himself coming out of the 2014 draft. Second-round picks are not bound to the rookie wage scale, and rather than sign the team-friendly four-year deal the Sixers reportedly offered, McDaniels opted to sign the requisite one-year minimum offer the Sixers had to submit to retain his rights.
The bet from McDaniels was that his free-agent market would prove more robust than the league minimum with limited guarantees, and it seemed a smart gamble after he started his season hot. An explosive leaper, dunker, and shot-blocker, McDaniels averaged 9.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in 25.4 minutes with Philly, but played sparingly in Houston.
If the 6-foot-6 McDaniels can ever start knocking down threes - he hit 28.7 percent this year - he'd be an obvious rotation piece. His perimeter defense is strong, his help defense can be emphatic, and he's a great open-court player and finisher.
The Pelicans don't have a great deal of salary cap flexibility, but McDaniels is as good a target as any remaining.
