Best Potential Landing Spots for Norris Cole in 2015 NBA Free Agency

Norris Cole played three-and-a-half seasons with the Miami Heat before getting traded to the New Orleans Pelicans last year.

He gave NOLA 9.9 points on 44.4 percent shooting to go along with 3.2 assists per game while helping to push the team toward its first postseason berth since 2010-11.

The Pelicans extended Cole, a restricted free agent, a qualifying offer of $3 million for next season. New Orleans can match any offer he receives from another team, though Jim Reid of the Times-Picayune wrote on Thursday that at "this point, the Pelicans' qualifying could end up as the most money Cole may be offered on the open market in free agency."

Are there options, though? Of course. A serviceable role player like Cole—who also has big-time playoff experience from his days in Miami alongside LeBron James—will almost certainly generate some kind of interest.

Which of these situations would be best for him?

5. Philadelphia 76ers

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According to Michael Scotto of Sheridan Hoops, the Philadelphia 76ers are interested in Cole’s services:

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Cole continues to receive interest from the 76ers, but it’s unclear whether they will spend enough to pry the restricted free agent from New Orleans. At this point, signing his one-year qualifying offer and playing in Alvin Gentry’s system with the Pelicans remains a viable option, a league source tells SheridanHoops.

"

Cole would certainly receive playing time in Philly, but would it be worthwhile? After his first double-double, the guy might get traded for a pair of second-round picks anyway.

At the very least, the Sixers would give Cole a bigger role than what he would have elsewhere—serving as a spark-plug reserve who could lead the team in scoring one night and not score the next.

Ish Smith, Isaiah Canaan and Pierre Jackson are Philadelphia’s only point guards on the roster, and Cole is arguably better than all three.

But with no chance of the postseason and a trigger-happy general manager in Sam Hinkie, the flat-topped 1-guard could find a better, more stable home elsewhere.

4. Denver Nuggets

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As promising as Emmanuel Mudiay looked in the NBA Summer League, rookie point guards rarely dominate at the pro level right away.

Having traded away Ty Lawson to the Houston Rockets on July 20, the Denver Nuggets are now putting all their eggs in the Mudiay basket.

Adding another basket, so to speak, would be wise.

Jameer Nelson is there as well, but his production has plummeted in recent years. Knowing Mudiay has a legitimate veteran backup will certainly help coach Mike Malone sleep a bit easier.

According to Spotrac, Denver has close to $3 million in cap space, so this would require a bit of moving and shaking in order to offer more than the Pels. According to Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders, there have been Kenneth Faried trade rumblings recently, so maybe that’s one way to open up more money.

However it happens, Cole would be a strong addition for a Denver team that is in limbo.

3. Brooklyn Nets

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Another possibility could be in the borough.

The Brooklyn Nets bought out Deron Williams on July 20, per Mitch Abramson of the New York Daily News, which left the team devoid of a true No. 1 option at the point.

Jarrett Jack is there, but he’s a career backup. Shane Larkin just arrived too, but he’s not ready to be a primary floor general just yet.

Enter Cole, who has started 50 games in the past two seasons. He’s no Mike Conley, but head coach Lionel Hollins would fall in love with the nightly scrappiness displayed by the former Cleveland State standout.

Cole is a dog not just on offense but on defense too. And that’s huge under Hollins.

Brooklyn is a more respectable destination than the 76ers or Nuggets and boasts a strong fanbase. The Nets would also provide Cole a starting opportunity on a team with at least a prayer for the postseason.

According to Nets Daily, though, the Nets only have $2.6 million available to offer, so this move would hard-cap them. Those numbers make this one a stretch, but barring financial restrictions, the situation is ideal for both sides.

2. Cleveland Cavaliers

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You had to know this one was coming.

The Cleveland Cavaliers tried to make a move for Cole at the trade deadline, according to Jason Lloyd of Ohio.com. LBJ’s former running mate was also spotted at the Cavs’ Game 5 win over the Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

In 2013-14, Cole played more minutes with James than anyone besides Ray Allen. Together, Cole and the King really jelled, contributing plus-6.2 points per 100 possessions.

The Cavaliers are already up to their chins in financial obligations, and that doesn’t even include Tristan Thompson and J.R. Smith. Would there really be room for Cole? (Not as a straight signing after Mo Williams took most of the Mid-level Exception money.)

Perhaps a trade is possible. (Joe Harris, anyone?) But if James has a will, the Cavaliers will likely find a way.

Cole would clearly play behind Kyrie Irving and then share the reserve minutes with folk hero Matthew Dellavedova. At first glance, there might appear to be too many cooks in that kitchen, but it’s digestible once we take into account Irving’s lengthy injury history.

The primary benefit for Cole, though, would be reuniting with the best player in the world and competing for a championship for the foreseeable future.

1. New Orleans Pelicans

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In the end, Cole’s best option is right in front of him.

According to John Reid, re-signing the point guard is now the team’s top priority with Anthony Davis locked up for the long term and Dante Cunningham, Alexis Ajinca, Luke Babbitt and Omer Asik back on the roster.

Re-upping with Cole would ensure that last year’s core—which gave the franchise its best season in four years—would remain intact.

Davis is on the record with his desire to bring Cole back. Here are The Brow’s thoughts on the situation, via Reid:

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As far as Norris, I haven't really talked to him. I'm kind of out of that situation, I'll let Dell (Demps) and Coach (Alvin) Gentry do what they do. I know they are going to make the right decision. But we definitely hope he can come back.

We would definitely love to him back with no question. We know that they are doing their best to bring everybody back. He's one of those guys they want to bring back.

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AD really isn’t one of those do-what-I-say type of superstars, but his endorsement holds some serious weight. He seems to want Cole back, and for good reason.

The pit bull of a point guard is the type of cheap role player who is needed on contending teams. He’ll dive on the floor, go right at his man defensively, knock down an open triple (he shot 37.8 percent from deep with the Pels) and do whatever it takes to win.

Cole does nothing at an elite level but everything at a respectable one.

“He did a wonderful job for us in the playoffs,” Davis said, per Reid. “When we brought him along with Quincy (Pondexter) and Dante (Cunningham), we kind of went to a different level, you know, defensively. He brought a lot to the table for us.”

Cole thrived in NOLA last year, and if brought back, he will do so again.

Stats are courtesy of Basketball-Reference.com.