A couple of weeks ago it was down to a two team race for the services of Norris Cole. The Philadelphia 76ers were reportedly showing interest in him and the New Orleans Pelicans were also interested in retaining him. Nothing has reportedly changed in terms of Philadelphia's interest but it is being reported that Cole is now more likely to stay with the Pelicans according to Michael Scotto of Sheridan Hoops.
Cole is a restricted free agent so if the 76ers signed him to an offer sheet New Orleans would have the right to match that contract. There was talk that the 76ers might offer Cole more money than the Pelicans were willing to pay him so that the can pry him away. The 76ers have the most cap room left in the NBA and could potentially offer him a lot more money than he's worth but they don't want to hurt their future cap space either.
The most reasonable and likely option at this point is for Cole to sign his one year qualifying offer with the Pelicans so that he can play a year under Alvin Gentry. Gentry likes to run a fast paced offense and with Cole likely being the backup point guard he will get an opportunity to boost his numbers and increase his value as a free agent next offseason.
Another factor in the Pelicans really wanting to keep Cole is the fact that Anthony Davis reportedly wants him back according to John Reid of NOLA.com. Davis just signed the biggest contract extension in NBA history at five years and $145 million so the Pelicans have to do everything they can to try to keep their star player happy. So far so good as Davis has reportedly said he loves the Gentry hire but bringing Cole back would seem like the next move for them.
As for Philadelphia they will be just fine at point guard should they decide to kick the tires on Cole. Tony Wroten is expected back from knee surgery either at the beginning of the year or very early on and they also have Isaiah Canaan and newly signed Pierre Jackson as backups. Cole would have been a nice addition to that group but the 76ers aren't expected to win this year anyway so they will now be able to get those young guys another year of experience.
