NBA Free Agency 2013 News: New Orleans Pelicans Emerge as Powerhouse After Acquiring Two Defensive Standouts

The New Orleans Pelicans have made their frontcourt defense even feistier with the acquisition of former Kansas shot-blocker Jeff Withey and the re-signing of Al-Farouq Aminu this weekend.

The Pelicans suddenly became an emerging defensive power in the Western Conference after pulling off a draft night trade with the Philadelphia 76ers that helped them land All-Star point guard Jrue Holiday in exchange for their no.6 overall pick - Kentucky Wildcats center Nerlens Noel.

They have also turned their backcourt even more formidable by hammering out a three-team trade that gave them Tyreke Evans in exchange for Robin Lopez (Now with Portland Trail Blazers) and Greivis Vasquez (Now with Sacramento Kings).

But the deal became much sweeter with the inclusion of Withey, who was known as a top defensive presence in college basketball for the last couple of years.

Withey averaged 13.7 points and 8.5 rebounds for Kansas last season, but his 3.9 blocks per game made him a valuable NBA prospect heading into the draft. The two-time Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year is expected to give the Pelicans another shot-blocking weapon in the middle alongside second-year forward Anthony Davis.

Moreover, the Pelicans made their defense even more potent with the re-signing of Aminu, who's considered one of the most underrated perimeter defenders in the league.

Aminu averaged 7.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.2 steal per game last season with the Pelicans, and was often given the green light to defend the best perimeter player of the other team.

The length and the athleticism of New Orleans frontcourt will surely give opposing teams different kinds of trouble next season, so fans can expect a lot of steals and shotblocks when these three young players (Withey, Davis, and Aminu) play together on the floor.