Despite looming free agency, Cunningham wants to stay in New Orleans
The Pelicans signed Dante Cunningham with the hope he'd bring veteran leadership into a young locker room, along with gritty board play and a reliable jump shot. For the most part, they got all those things, and Cunningham was a solid contributor off the bench in the team's four playoff games.
Now, the 27-year-old is a free agent, and believes he's done enough to earn a new contract. Here's what Cunningham said about his immediate future, according to The Times-Picayune's John Reid.
''It was a great opportunity for me, a great spot. 'You know to get back and get going again. I definitely think the organization Coach Monty (Williams) and Dell (Demps) for this opportunity. I would love to stay here for years and years to come, but we'll have to see what happens in the summer.''
If New Orleans can bring Cunningham back on a veteran's minimum contract, they should do it in a heartbeat. He's a hard-nosed, versatile player who performed admirably in Williams' system.
But if his market winds up being larger than expected, the last thing the Pelicans need to do is overpay someone on a long-term deal.
(h/t: The Times-Picayune)
Photo Credit: AP Photo/John Beale
