Dream Finish to the Pelicans 2022 Offseason

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Originally Posted by JR SMITH

I believe in him.

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Get rid of Jonas to start and pay Jaxson?
We are watching different games!!
What has Hayes ever done to inspire such belief?

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Originally Posted by redrum

Get rid of Jonas to start and pay Jaxson?
We are watching different games!!
What has Hayes ever done to inspire such belief?

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I wouldn't trade Valanciunas until the 2024 trade deadline, unless a really good trade came up before then. I'd keep Hayes and have him replace Valanciunas at the 5 in February 2024.

Couple different options starting to get further down the line. Some things already set in stone. Those of you who wanna be Jax believers, nobody is stopping you but I wouldn’t get too attached. He is not in the long term plans at all. Priorities this summer are Zion deal, then CJ and Nance. Small chance Jax will be on the roster come season opener but it would only because they think better deal could be had in season. No need to worry about the EJ thing, it is already settled and all parties are happy. We all know the 3 roster spots most likely to turn over. In order, I would say Jax, then Temple, then Graham with regard to who is most likely to go. Graham could rise in the rankings depending on how the PG shuffle works out. But if nobody wants to give up neutral or positive value for him, he will be a Pel.

One more note on Daniels is the rookie learning curve may not be as harsh for him because he played a full season in the G-League last season. He could be ready sooner than we think

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Originally Posted by MichaelMcNamara

Couple different options starting to get further down the line. Some things already set in stone. Those of you who wanna be Jax believers, nobody is stopping you but I wouldn’t get too attached. He is not in the long term plans at all. Priorities this summer are Zion deal, then CJ and Nance. Small chance Jax will be on the roster come season opener but it would only because they think better deal could be had in season. No need to worry about the EJ thing, it is already settled and all parties are happy. We all know the 3 roster spots most likely to turn over. In order, I would say Jax, then Temple, then Graham with regard to who is most likely to go. Graham could rise in the rankings depending on how the PG shuffle works out. But if nobody wants to give up neutral or positive value for him, he will be a Pel.

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With EJ, will it start out as a 2-way or is it dependent on potential moves that are they are trying to do?

I would much rather see Graham gone than Jax. We have enough guards that need minutes. Jose Alvarado and TM3 need to see the floor more often, not to mention Kira and Daniels. Rather see them getting minutes than Graham. Jaxson has all the tools to be a good player he just hasnt mentally put it all together. But he was a late transition to basketball and is still young. I think he will be a good player on the NBA, the size, athleticism, and shooting touch are all there.

It has already been decided. My question is: Does Jake Madison already know and he just made a clickbait title or does he not get told things by the org that almost everyone else already knows?

I know he has to get downloads, but the clickbait is getting worse and worse

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Originally Posted by pelafanatic

One more note on Daniels is the rookie learning curve may not be as harsh for him because he played a full season in the G-League last season. He could be ready sooner than we think

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I think EJ is really ready. Like, so much so that I would happily put him in pen as the backup 4 if and when Hayes gets moved. That guy will be a fan favorite if he gets 12-14 high energy mins off the bench

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Originally Posted by MichaelMcNamara

It has already been decided. My question is: Does Jake Madison already know and he just made a clickbait title or does he not get told things by the org that almost everyone else already knows?

I know he has to get downloads, but the clickbait is getting worse and worse

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Yea its a tough listen. I'd love an in depth nerdy analysis pod once a week. The growth of the Pels content has been tremendous, don't get me wrong, but I want a pod where I'm actually learning new things about the game and the ideologies the pels are practicing on the court. Still a lack of content in that regard.

It's always a tough listen.

Gonna be a GREAT Pels pod up tonight with an awesome guest… (no, not me lol)

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Originally Posted by MichaelMcNamara

I think EJ is really ready. Like, so much so that I would happily put him in pen as the backup 4 if and when Hayes gets moved. That guy will be a fan favorite if he gets 12-14 high energy mins off the bench

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Oh agreed, but I think it's very possible that Willie can't keep Dyson off the court because his passing and defense are so advanced. Can't wait to see the passes Dyson makes to Trey in summer league if Trey plays a couple of games ;)

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Originally Posted by MichaelMcNamara

I think EJ is really ready. Like, so much so that I would happily put him in pen as the backup 4 if and when Hayes gets moved. That guy will be a fan favorite if he gets 12-14 high energy mins off the bench

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Honestly agree. He plays a style that's very grounded and should translate fairly quickly to the NBA and I trust his size/strength well enough to slot into a kind of Grant Williams/PJ Tucker-ish role. Not to say he'll be as impactful as Tucker straight away, Tucker was uniquely good at the small-ball-big thing, but against backups and in spot minutes? I think it's workable.

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

Honestly agree. He plays a style that's very grounded and should translate fairly quickly to the NBA and I trust his size/strength well enough to slot into a kind of Grant Williams/PJ Tucker-ish role. Not to say he'll be as impactful as Tucker straight away, Tucker was uniquely good at the small-ball-big thing, but against backups and in spot minutes? I think it's workable.

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The things I'd do to be a fly on the wall for those Zion v Liddell matchups in practice

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Originally Posted by MichaelMcNamara

It has already been decided.

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Well, what's the decision, specifically?

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Originally Posted by AtlPelsFan

I like Jaxson Hayes. He brings the intensity we need. Like Draymond does for GS.

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Jose and Naji are more solid energy guys like Dray. Jaxson is chaotic energy that is not a net positive all the time.

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Originally Posted by MichaelMcNamara

It has already been decided. My question is: Does Jake Madison already know and he just made a clickbait title or does he not get told things by the org that almost everyone else already knows?

I know he has to get downloads, but the clickbait is getting worse and worse

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And all the damn ads. I can't listen to it much anymore. All just quick rehashing and ad blasting.

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Originally Posted by ColoradoCajun

And all the damn ads. I can't listen to it much anymore. All just quick rehashing and ad blasting.

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You know what would help you endure that? Built bar!!! :hihi:

1-3 absolutely. 4 hell naw

Great in the no pod today with Kevin O’Conner. KOC seems to believe Daniels is already ready to step in and fill a role. We know Willie has no problems playing rookies if they’re ready to defend

I’d also like to end the weird thing where we say Larry Nance is 6’7. He measured at the combine as 6’7.5 w/o shoes. If we’re going to talk about everyone else with shoes, then that’s what we should do with Nance as well. He’s 6’9 on the court

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Originally Posted by Smirk

Well, what's the decision, specifically?

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Hard to keep your followers by giving them any actual, specific information when you're consistently wrong. Best to keep things vague. Of course when said insider is repeatedly proven wrong as much as any one poster off the street guessing, they just say, "you know, things change". So I don't know why he doesn't at least swing for the fences and try to guess on things more specifically. In this case, everyone can see there's a good chance Jax just doesn't fit on the team long-term, so it's not really a risky swing. But yeah, make up some dialogue at least to keep the game going instead of acting like a tarot card reader. Kinda lazy if I'm honest.

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Originally Posted by donato

Hard to keep your followers by giving them any actual, specific information when you're consistently wrong. Best to keep things vague. Of course when said insider is repeatedly proven wrong as much as any one poster off the street guessing, they just say, "you know, things change". So I don't know why he doesn't at least swing for the fences and try to guess on things more specifically. In this case, everyone can see there's a good chance Jax just doesn't fit on the team long-term, so it's not really a risky swing. But yeah, make up some dialogue at least to keep the game going instead of acting like a tarot card reader. Kinda lazy if I'm honest.

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Lol you’re wrong guy

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Originally Posted by MichaelMcNamara

You know what would help you endure that? Built bar!!! :hihi:

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I actually bought some Built Bars because of his ads. Never doing it again lmao.

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Originally Posted by MichaelMcNamara

Couple different options starting to get further down the line. Some things already set in stone. Those of you who wanna be Jax believers, nobody is stopping you but I wouldn’t get too attached. He is not in the long term plans at all. Priorities this summer are Zion deal, then CJ and Nance. Small chance Jax will be on the roster come season opener but it would only because they think better deal could be had in season. No need to worry about the EJ thing, it is already settled and all parties are happy. We all know the 3 roster spots most likely to turn over. In order, I would say Jax, then Temple, then Graham with regard to who is most likely to go. Graham could rise in the rankings depending on how the PG shuffle works out. But if nobody wants to give up neutral or positive value for him, he will be a Pel.

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First, love to hear that with Jax. Right in line with what I wanted. Second, what is CJ's extension # looking like and why the rush? Nance I understand, 1 year left and he'll probably get in the 11-14 mil range like DFS and RoCo. CJ has 2 years left on his deal which are his age 31 and 32 years, why not wait a year on the extension? Especially if the number is in the 30+ range which I imagine it is. Not trying to over evaluate 6 playoff games but he wasn't great in them. Not able to get by guys as easily and he'll keep slowing down as he gets older. I love CJ and want him on this team but dont want this extension to be a big overpay

Victor Oladipo would be an interesting bench scoring option if Pels can move Graham/temple.

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Originally Posted by kinglio21093

I actually bought some Built Bars because of his ads. Never doing it again lmao.

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I did too. Good if you like dark chocolate. Not for me though.

Some Devonte Graham destinations are starting to slowly creep open. The Mavs make a lot of sense if they lose Brunson. The Celtics are bargain hunting for shooters. The Suns may be interested. The Wizards just need stuff. Could get interesting after the initial FA rush

I wonder who would turn down Graham and Hayes for Hardaway. We obviously had a huge interest just 12 months ago. And yeah, Celtics are poking around everywhere

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Originally Posted by MichaelMcNamara

I wonder who would turn down Graham and Hayes for Hardaway. We obviously had a huge interest just 12 months ago. And yeah, Celtics are poking around everywhere

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I really hope we would given his $54 million due over next 3 years.

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Originally Posted by MichaelMcNamara

I wonder who would turn down Graham and Hayes for Hardaway. We obviously had a huge interest just 12 months ago. And yeah, Celtics are poking around everywhere

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Mentioned that on Twitter a while ago and got clowned by Mavs fans. Not sure if that means anything, but thats a spot Jax could really blossom offensively

I think Wiz are our ideal and Celts dump is next but if options start drying up, I would consider it

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Originally Posted by MichaelMcNamara

You know what would help you endure that? Built bar!!! :hihi:

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I tried one. It was a brick bar.

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Originally Posted by MichaelMcNamara

I think Wiz are our ideal and Celts dump is next but if options start drying up, I would consider it

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Would our target with Wiz be KCP?

Celtics have a $17.1 mil TPE. Could fit Graham and Temple into it. I'd be willing to trade Graham and Temple to the Celtics for a fake second if you knew you had an MLE candidate lined up

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Originally Posted by pelafanatic

Celtics have a $17.1 mil TPE. Could fit Graham and Temple into it. I'd be willing to trade Graham and Temple to the Celtics for a fake second if you knew you had an MLE candidate lined up

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Agree. Would Celtics be interested though (without picks being attached)?

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Originally Posted by pelafanatic

Mentioned that on Twitter a while ago and got clowned by Mavs fans. Not sure if that means anything, but thats a spot Jax could really blossom offensively

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Going through the list of possible interested in Hayes teams, Mavs seemed like a great on court fit. Then I wondered if the intersection between these 3 things would be a significant PR issue: (1) What legal / character issue Kidd has in his past, that resurfaced when they hired him (2) What public investigation the Mavs recently/ are still dealing with (3) What lawsuit/ allegations does Hayes currently have against him.

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Originally Posted by pelafanatic

Celtics have a $17.1 mil TPE. Could fit Graham and Temple into it. I'd be willing to trade Graham and Temple to the Celtics for a fake second if you knew you had an MLE candidate lined up

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I imagine they think they can get someone better than him and they know they can probably get him at the deadline. I'm cool with Graham on this team to start the year as I think he's probably a slight negative asset and dont want to give up anything. Get rid of Jax and lets ride.

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Originally Posted by neitzelbaby12

Can only trade 1 player into a TPE so it would be Graham. I imagine they think they can get someone better than him and they know they can probably get him at the deadline. I'm cool with Graham on this team to start the year as I think he's probably a slight negative asset and dont want to give up anything. Get rid of Jax and lets ride.

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A TPE can be split.

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Originally Posted by PELICANSFAN

A TPE can be split.

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My mistake. Totally had it mixed up and was thinking about not being able to combine TPEs to reach a certain salary. Im getting rusty

How cool would it be for the team to use this clip in their promos... Shoebill Stork , Pelican, close enough

This shoebill stork in the rain… pic.twitter.com/hnRmZb5H0e

— Creature Arena (@CreatureArena) June 28, 2022

I see Burks and Noel going to pistons. Most unfortunate.

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Originally Posted by coreylaron

I see Burks and Noel going to pistons. Most unfortunate.

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Might make Stewart more available though. Doubt it, but it's possible.

I'm wondering if you could get Stewart and Burk from Pistons now?

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Originally Posted by MichaelMcNamara

I wonder who would turn down Graham and Hayes for Hardaway. We obviously had a huge interest just 12 months ago. And yeah, Celtics are poking around everywhere

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Why would we want Hardaway, when the whole reason we weren't entertaining trades for guys like Dort was because of the contract extension we would have to give? Hardaway makes the same type of money.

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Originally Posted by neitzelbaby12

First, love to hear that with Jax. Right in line with what I wanted. Second, what is CJ's extension # looking like and why the rush? Nance I understand, 1 year left and he'll probably get in the 11-14 mil range like DFS and RoCo. CJ has 2 years left on his deal which are his age 31 and 32 years, why not wait a year on the extension? Especially if the number is in the 30+ range which I imagine it is. Not trying to over evaluate 6 playoff games but he wasn't great in them. Not able to get by guys as easily and he'll keep slowing down as he gets older. I love CJ and want him on this team but dont want this extension to be a big overpay

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My thoughts 100%. Why are we trying to extend CJ now and for how long? Dude is already on the wrong side of 30 and didn't look great in the Phoenix series. I'm in no rush to commit more years to him at $30+ million. That extension seems like one you'd wait a year to do.

With regard to Hardaway vs Dort -- a few things. In this situation, you would be getting off Graham, so you are only really adding 6-8 mil per year in addition to what you already are committed to. In addition, it would effectively be a 2 year/34 mil contract after next season, where Dort would be a 4/70-80-ish (maybe more after seeing what Brunson is getting).

As for CJ, I could go either way on the extension. The benefit of it is to actually limit the total years IMO. You give him 1 or 2 years now and its effectively a 3 or 4 year deal, and thats the last deal in all likelihood. In the situation where you just wait him out, then you either let him go for nothing or you give him another 3 or 4 year contract - as its pretty rare a player of that caliber re-signs for 1 or 2 years. Its about control the years, basically agreeing to overpaying him for a year or two on the back half of this extension as opposed to 3 or 4 years on a new contract. And yes, at some point we will overpay CJ. But you wont just be paying for the player, just like GS is not just paying for the on court performances of Draymond, Klay, and current Iggy. But ideally, you will be underpaying other guys, the way GS is underpaying Steph, and Poole, and Payton

Also, to be clear, Hardaway wouldn’t be my first option. I think my first option now would be Olynyk and Burks for Graham, Temple, and Hayes. Then, KCP. But if nothing else was on the table and it was that trade vs roll into camp as is, it would be 50/50 for me. I would rather have Hardaway and EJ getting those 1400-1800 minutes throughout the season than Graham and Hayes. I’d also prefer Hardaways length for the playoffs. On the other side, I would be more than happy to just see what is available in February

Why do Pistons take on more players with more guaranteed money for longer, when all 3 of our guys have negative value? (Hayes and Temple neutral at best)

What pick sweeteners are you throwing in?

I don’t think Hayes has neutral value. It’s slightly positive. Temple is neutral for a team that wants to have salary to trade in Feb. Graham might work his way back to neutral value after the contract or Brunson and others come in.

But yeah, you probably throw in a second or two. More cash. But remember, not all teams want to win as many games as possible this year. What you have to do is find a team who thinks of good players like Burks as a negative because he helps them win an extra game or two. Those are the teams you have to focus in on and sell them on “you want some guys that will help you lose games, I got some over here that helped us start 3-16!”