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Report: Pelicans finalizing deal with Omer Asik

Golden State Warriors v New Orleans Pelicans

NEW ORLEANS, LA - APRIL 7: Omer Asik #3 of the New Orleans Pelicans shoots against the Golden State Warriors on April 7, 2015 at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images)

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Omer Asik is not a great fit for Alvin Gentry’s offense.

But if the Pelicans let the center walk, they’d probably have under $10 million to replace him – which would likely mean getting a lesser-caliber player.

Apparently, they decided talent trumps fit.

Marc Stein of ESPN:

We’ll surely see more of Anthony Davis at center next season. But Asik will keep Davis from getting pounded in the post too often, a role that will be shared by Alexis Ajinca.

Asik is an excellent defender, and though the league is moving away from cloggers like him, that makes him very useful.

The challenge is now on Gentry to figure out how to maximize Asik offensively.