Official New Orleans Pelicans Thread

[MookieMonstah]

3 minutes ago, CWood21 said:

No.  What exactly is asset hoarding?  It's collecting assets with the intention of never using them.  The only asset he's used so far is to draft Jayson Tatum and trading the Nets' pick to the Cavs as part of a Kyrie trade.

But he fully intends on using them lol what is going on

[Spartica4Real]

Considering the Pels thread has, unsurprisingly, devolved into Celtics vs Lakers package discussions, I'll say as a Pels fan I think what the Celtics can offer is very easily superior. It's just a manner of what they actually decide to offer considering the risk of Kyrie leaving.

I'm not a big fan of Lonzo or Ingram. I like Ingram a lot more than I like Lonzo, but still not huge fans of either. I'll take Tatum any day of the week. On top of that the Celtics can offer Brown, Smart, the Grizzlies pick, etc. Now, I don't expect them to offer ALL of those, but they can offer some of them. I think the most likely packages each of the suitors will offer is something like:

Celtics: Tatum/Smart/Grizzlies pick/Future picks

Lakers: Ingram/Kuzma/#4 pick/Future picks (but they'd HAVE to offer Lonzo as well to get him, no chance otherwise)

Knicks: #3 pick, DSJ, Robinson, Knox (clearly the worst offer so far, they'd only have a shot if the Pels FO is convinced RJ is a future star)

Then I guess you got a dark horse like the Clippers if they want to pair Kawhi and AD who could offer SGA, Galinari, Shamet, and the unprotected Heat pick which is definitely a decent offer, but no guy that screams future star that really moves the needle on that offer. I could only see them taking that if the Celtics back out and the Lakers don't offer Ingram AND Lonzo, and even then they might not.

So, to give a non Celtics/Lakers fan perspective on this and talking purely from a Pels fan's point of view, I'd take the Celtics offer any day of the week. I only think the Lakers can beat them if the Celtics back down due to Kyrie. 

Pels can walk away with a starting lineup of...

PG: Smart

SG: Jrue

SF: Tatum

PF: Zion

C: Um... Okafor? Lol, this would clearly be the weak spot. Would probably sign someone. 

.... and it'd be nuts. This is a team that is prooooobably not good enough to make the playoffs right away (borderline though) which would give them 2 lotto picks next year between their pick and the Grizz. It sets the Pels up really well for the future. Celtics are definitely the best deal imo.

Edited May 21, 2019 by Spartica4Real

[CWood21]

7 hours ago, Spartica4Real said:

Considering the Pels thread has, unsurprisingly, devolved into Celtics vs Lakers package discussions, I'll say as a Pels fan I think what the Celtics can offer is very easily superior. It's just a manner of what they actually decide to offer considering the risk of Kyrie leaving.

I'm not a big fan of Lonzo or Ingram. I like Ingram a lot more than I like Lonzo, but still not huge fans of either. I'll take Tatum any day of the week. On top of that the Celtics can offer Brown, Smart, the Grizzlies pick, etc. Now, I don't expect them to offer ALL of those, but they can offer some of them. I think the most likely packages each of the suitors will offer is something like:

I'm not sure how much Boston is actually willing to offer.  If it's Tatum plus their scraps, I'm not sure that gets it done from New Orleans' perspective.  And if they're not willing to deal Tatum, I don't see a way that Boston can get a deal done.  I think a LOT depends on Kyrie.

[MookieMonstah]

5 hours ago, CWood21 said:

I'm not sure how much Boston is actually willing to offer.  If it's Tatum plus their scraps, I'm not sure that gets it done from New Orleans' perspective.  And if they're not willing to deal Tatum, I don't see a way that Boston can get a deal done.  I think a LOT depends on Kyrie.

You HOPE Boston isn’t willing to move a lot.

[CWood21]

17 hours ago, MookieMonstah said:

You HOPE Boston isn’t willing to move a lot.

No.  I'd LOVE to see Boston throw the entire house at New Orleans if Kyrie signs elsewhere.  Watching Ainge literally burn down the house for Anthony Davis only to watch Kyrie Irving go elsewhere would be incredibly satisfying.  Especially after hearing you talk about how great the C's assets are.  And I've been on record saying that I think the C's have the best set of assets, my question is Boston willing to do so?  I'm skeptical that Ainge will offer Tatum and Brown in the same deal.  Is a package based around Jayson Tatum (and no Jaylen Brown) good enough?  Depends on how the Pelicans view the other packages.  I just don't see Tatum plus scraps getting it done.  But I also don't think Ainge wants to put Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum in the same deal.

[MookieMonstah]

1 hour ago, CWood21 said:

No.  I'd LOVE to see Boston throw the entire house at New Orleans if Kyrie signs elsewhere.  Watching Ainge literally burn down the house for Anthony Davis only to watch Kyrie Irving go elsewhere would be incredibly satisfying.  Especially after hearing you talk about how great the C's assets are.  And I've been on record saying that I think the C's have the best set of assets, my question is Boston willing to do so?  I'm skeptical that Ainge will offer Tatum and Brown in the same deal.  Is a package based around Jayson Tatum (and no Jaylen Brown) good enough?  Depends on how the Pelicans view the other packages.  I just don't see Tatum plus scraps getting it done.  But I also don't think Ainge wants to put Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum in the same deal.

I love how you keep referring to Marcus Smart and the Grizzlies pick as "scraps" but teams should trip over themselves to acquire Lonzo freaking Ball.

[amac]

55 minutes ago, MookieMonstah said:

I love how you keep referring to Marcus Smart and the Grizzlies pick as "scraps" but teams should trip over themselves to acquire Lonzo freaking Ball.

I think Ball has at least a conceivable path to being a capable starting PG for a good team. I don't see that for Smart, he's an energy bench guy/defensive specialist

[MookieMonstah]

1 hour ago, amac said:

I think Ball has at least a conceivable path to being a capable starting PG for a good team. I don't see that for Smart, he's an energy bench guy/defensive specialist

Smart is considerably better than Lonzo Ball. Better defender, better shooter, huge hustle guy.

[CWood21]

9 hours ago, MookieMonstah said:

I love how you keep referring to Marcus Smart and the Grizzlies pick as "scraps" but teams should trip over themselves to acquire Lonzo freaking Ball.

I didn't say that, you're just assuming I was referring to that.  I was referring to the comments about guys like Robert Williams or Semi Ojeleye having any real value.  They're all throw-ins, much like Ivica Zubac was when we were discussing an Anthony Davis trade at the deadline.  But to your point, what about Marcus Smart is overly valuable?  He's essentially Lonzo Ball only he's not on his rookie contract.  He's a bit better defender, but he's a significantly worse rebounder and worse passer.  Honestly, my biggest issue with Smart is his terrible shot selection.  At least Lonzo knows he can't shoot.  As for the Grizz pick, it's a nice lotto ticket to have but it's not something that GMs are going to be willing to pin their career to.  Once we have a better idea of where that Grizz pick lands, we can get true value for it.

[MookieMonstah]

3 minutes ago, CWood21 said:

I didn't say that, you're just assuming I was referring to that.  I was referring to the comments about guys like Robert Williams or Semi Ojeleye having any real value.  They're all throw-ins, much like Ivica Zubac was when we were discussing an Anthony Davis trade at the deadline.  But to your point, what about Marcus Smart is overly valuable?  He's essentially Lonzo Ball only he's not on his rookie contract.  He's a bit better defender, but he's a significantly worse rebounder and worse passer.  Honestly, my biggest issue with Smart is his terrible shot selection.  At least Lonzo knows he can't shoot.  As for the Grizz pick, it's a nice lotto ticket to have but it's not something that GMs are going to be willing to pin their career to.  Once we have a better idea of where that Grizz pick lands, we can get true value for it.

Smart shot 36% this season from deep, and he’s significantly better from the FT line. He’s a better defender than Ball by a good margin. He’s arguably the best perimeter defender in the league. Grizzlies pick has a very good chance of being high in the lotto in two years, and Rob Williams has some nice upside. Much like Zubac who the Lakers stupidly dumped.

[CWood21]

2 minutes ago, MookieMonstah said:

Smart shot 36% this season from deep, and he’s significantly better from the FT line. He’s a better defender than Ball by a good margin. He’s arguably the best perimeter defender in the league. Grizzlies pick has a very good chance of being high in the lotto in two years, and Rob Williams has some nice upside. Much like Zubac who the Lakers stupidly dumped.

He's a career 31% shooter from beyond the arc, and the last 3 seasons he averaged less than 30% from beyond the arc.  You'll have to excuse me if I don't buy into that improved 3PT%.  Again, a career 77% FT% shooter isn't anything to brag about.  And the Grizz pick could easily turn out just like the Kings' pick turned out to be.  Imagine how NO team hinged their draft to what essentially amounts to a lottery pick.  You trying to rationalize Robert Williams as anything more than a throw-in would be like me trying to argue that Mo Wagner is a significant piece.  They're throw-ins.  Nothing more.

[MookieMonstah]

17 minutes ago, CWood21 said:

He's a career 31% shooter from beyond the arc, and the last 3 seasons he averaged less than 30% from beyond the arc.  You'll have to excuse me if I don't buy into that improved 3PT%.  Again, a career 77% FT% shooter isn't anything to brag about.  And the Grizz pick could easily turn out just like the Kings' pick turned out to be.  Imagine how NO team hinged their draft to what essentially amounts to a lottery pick.  You trying to rationalize Robert Williams as anything more than a throw-in would be like me trying to argue that Mo Wagner is a significant piece.  They're throw-ins.  Nothing more.

Robert Williams has a lot of defensive upside, just because the Lakers were stupid with Zubac doesn’t mean Williams won’t amount to anything but he’s obviously not even close to the center piece. Marcus Smart is a more valuable asset than Lonzo Ball. Lonzo Ball is a legitimately bad NBA player. He would’ve been dope 15 years ago though.

[NYRaider]

I'd ask Boston for Tatum | Brown | Smart | #14 | Grizzles pick 

[seminoles1]

49 minutes ago, NYRaider said:

I'd ask Boston for Tatum | Brown | Smart | #14 | Grizzles pick 

Yep. This is my initial real request and work from there. Well, my initial request is Tatum, Brown, Williams, Smart, #14, #20, and Grizzlies pick...but that's just the initial shoot for the moon offer to get things started. I'd expect the same principal from Boston, starting off with Brown, Smart, Yabusele, and #14.

But I hold at what you posted until I hear back from other teams.

[MookieMonstah]

2 hours ago, NYRaider said:

I'd ask Boston for Tatum | Brown | Smart | #14 | Grizzles pick 

I'm assuming they will, Danny will say he isn't including Tatum AND Brown and they'll agree on a deal of

Tatum / Smart / Williams / #14 / Grizzlies pick