2024 Offseason Thread

Are you typing from a keyboard that doesn't have periods and commas?

Nah I’m just don’t use em I thought this was a place where we just place our thoughts on the team not my high school literature class I apologize y’all

I saw someone propose and Ingram for KAT based trade... idk if the Wolves would go for that but if they would, we should jump on that. KAT would be a perfect fit at the 5.

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Originally Posted by Algiersraised

Nah I’m just don’t use em I thought this was a place where we just place our thoughts on the team not my high school literature class I apologize y’all

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You do you, man. We're used to the same ten guys up in here. Success will bring in all flavors and people will adjust.

Yeah Ian tripping bro I just don’t like that since some of us want Ingram to stay we gotta be old laker fans or stans when I was born in New Orleans and most of my family is still there and I been repping home out here in Atlanta since Katrina
I seen the hornets live before I seen the saints
I was there for baron davis Jr smith when all he did was dunk Chris and co to now

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Originally Posted by Algiersraised

Yeah Ian tripping bro I just don?t like that since some of us want Ingram to stay we gotta be old laker fans or stans

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Yeah I don't want to imply that anyone who likes BI is a Lakers fan, just gotta be clear. I just recall that Nichols in particular was/is a Lakers fan - I could be wrong on that and he can correct me if that's the case, but I'm pretty sure he came to the board in the wake of the LA trade for specifically that reason.

The comment about him being a Lakers fan is specifically talking about him. Again, he can correct me if I'm thinking of the wrong person (in which case, I apologise to him for saying it).

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Originally Posted by hornetsrebirth

I saw someone propose and Ingram for KAT based trade... idk if the Wolves would go for that but if they would, we should jump on that. KAT would be a perfect fit at the 5.

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I don't think the Wolves would even return the phone call to be honest. They were this close to being a Finals team this year and if Ant-man didn't completely collapse, they would have been, probably. Given how dominant they were with the 2 centres this year, I feel like they've got to at least give it one more shot with that core.

He would be a perfect fit though and if there's any smoke at all, Griff should be on that phone.

Trying to think through all the different trade proposals and ideas I've seen for BI thus far over the last few days, and it's actually pretty tricky to decide which ones seem most appealing. One that I keep seeing again and again is Sacramento in a deal involving Barnes, Huerter, and picks, but I can't buy it.

Am I missing something in that deal? Can someone tell me the upside of it? It just looks bad to me.

NBA contracts that are set to become fully guaranteed today:

Jaden Hardy - DAL
Caleb Houstan - ORL
Chris Paul - GSW

— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) June 30, 2024

Hope everyone is having a healthy offseason in here. The Murray addition has me very optimistic. He was extremely good down the stretch last year. Can’t believe we still have BI. I see no reason to trade him if they can keep him and acquire a big.

One thing I’m curious about is Dyson in the trade. I wonder if Griff is attempting what Dae said and removing one of his toys to force Green to accommodate more shooters? We recently brought in Reeves, Hawkins will likely replace Dice’s minutes and Naji could be going anywhere- so more minutes for Hawk. Who else will Griff bring in to fill out the roster? It will be interesting.

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Originally Posted by Fedupfan

Hope everyone is having a healthy offseason in here. The Murray addition has me very optimistic. He was extremely good down the stretch last year. Can’t believe we still have BI. I see no reason to trade him if they can keep him and acquire a big.

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This team can't afford the guys on the roster is one major reason why.

We have no money. We need at least 3 more people on contract to meet the minimum roster requirements of the NBA and we have less than $4m left before we hit the luxury tax (remember: the Pelicans are one of only two teams to have NEVER paid the luxury tax). The only way we can regain flexibility and add a C to the roster is in a trade, and given that BI is the one with the incoming gargantuan extension due, he's the primary candidate for a move.

Remember we have to extend Trey at some point soon too, and Griff stated in his post-draft presser that we ''can't'' be an apron team. This franchise is not going massively over the cap, ever.

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

This team can't afford the guys on the roster is one major reason why.

We have no money. We need at least 3 more people on contract to meet the minimum roster requirements of the NBA and we have less than $4m left before we hit the luxury tax (remember: the Pelicans are one of only two teams to have NEVER paid the luxury tax). The only way we can regain flexibility and add a C to the roster is in a trade, and given that BI is the one with the incoming gargantuan extension due, he's the primary candidate for a move.

Remember we have to extend Trey at some point soon too, and Griff stated in his post-draft presser that we ''can't'' be an apron team. This franchise is not going massively over the cap, ever.

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I see a lot of people wanting to keep BI over CJ, but I probably keep CJ if I have to. He shoots the three and gives his all every game.

Reading Mike Scotto's latest article (https://hoopshype.com/lists/nba-rumo...tenstein-more/) and seeing the following about the Pels:

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Amid the expected Hartenstein courtship, rival teams have expressed trade interest in Magic center Wendell Carter Jr., including the New Orleans Pelicans, league sources told HoopsHype. The Pelicans are searching to add a center, with Jonas Valanciunas expected to depart in free agency, as previously reported on HoopsHype.

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Magic are in a tricky spot; apparently they really want Hartenstein and are willing to offer him $20m+ per year, but in doing so WCJ might be on the outs.

Last season at only 24 years of age he averaged 37.4% from 3 on 6 attempts per 100. Obviously not a crazy volume, but if there's optimism that he could take more, his career 25.0% DREB makes for an enticing possibility.

He only makes about $11m a year though, so likely we'd need to take more back from Orlando to make the salaries work, since they're need to keep their space for the Hartenstein acquisition.

Looking at their roster they don't have many ways to make up the additional salary. Banchero would work but obviously they wouldn't move him. Wagner is probably untouchable too, and frankly doesn't make enough money.

The most logical option would probably be Jonathan Isaac, due about $17.4m this upcoming season which would mean that they were within touching distance of salary matching (BI is $36m in, that would be $28m out, roughly) but I'm not sure if they would be interested in doing that. Isaac is a hellacious defender and another promising low-volume shooter but he's had massive injury struggles thus far in his career - maybe they're ready to move on from him because of that?

Interesting stuff in the air right now.

Free agency starts at 6pm ET, which is in about 2 hours if I'm remember time zones right.

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Originally Posted by Fedupfan

I see a lot of people wanting to keep BI over CJ, but I probably keep CJ if I have to. He shoots the three and gives his all every game.

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CJ's getting paid $33m a year and that's not a long term deal. BI's new deal is likely to be in the region of $50m a year, and probably add another 4 years on to his contract. It's a much more difficult thing to accommodate.

Combine that with the fit arguments that people have made (including me, I think the fit of DJM/BI/Zion is appalling) it's fairly difficult to justify keeping BI in my opinion.

B/R Sources: There’s growing optimism the Philadelphia 76ers will land Paul George in free agency.

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) June 30, 2024

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

B/R Sources: There?s growing optimism the Philadelphia 76ers will land Paul George in free agency.

? Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) June 30, 2024

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PG13 can probably get his full max from Philly.... he has said (per the media) that he wants to stay in Cali, but if he can make 52 mil in Philly, as opposed to 42 in Golden St... he might be willing to make that cross-country move.

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

Reading Mike Scotto's latest article (https://hoopshype.com/lists/nba-rumo...tenstein-more/) and seeing the following about the Pels:



Magic are in a tricky spot; apparently they really want Hartenstein and are willing to offer him $20m+ per year, but in doing so WCJ might be on the outs.

Last season at only 24 years of age he averaged 37.4% from 3 on 6 attempts per 100. Obviously not a crazy volume, but if there's optimism that he could take more, his career 25.0% DREB makes for an enticing possibility.

He only makes about $11m a year though, so likely we'd need to take more back from Orlando to make the salaries work, since they're need to keep their space for the Hartenstein acquisition.

Looking at their roster they don't have many ways to make up the additional salary. Banchero would work but obviously they wouldn't move him. Wagner is probably untouchable too, and frankly doesn't make enough money.

The most logical option would probably be Jonathan Isaac, due about $17.4m this upcoming season which would mean that they were within touching distance of salary matching (BI is $36m in, that would be $28m out, roughly) but I'm not sure if they would be interested in doing that. Isaac is a hellacious defender and another promising low-volume shooter but he's had massive injury struggles thus far in his career - maybe they're ready to move on from him because of that?

Interesting stuff in the air right now.

Free agency starts at 6pm ET, which is in about 2 hours if I'm remember time zones right.

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Love Wendell Carter Jr's game. He's only 6'10 but has an insane 7'5" wingspan. Is very mobile and has a ton of muscle. Perfect fit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fheoA938M9M

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

CJ's getting paid $33m a year and that's not a long term deal. BI's new deal is likely to be in the region of $50m a year, and probably add another 4 years on to his contract. It's a much more difficult thing to accommodate.

Combine that with the fit arguments that people have made (including me, I think the fit of DJM/BI/Zion is appalling) it's fairly difficult to justify keeping BI in my opinion.

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You keep saying BI is getting 50 mil a year... and I keep telling you nobody's giving him that. One of us is wrong and we're about to find out who.

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

I don't think the Wolves would even return the phone call to be honest. They were this close to being a Finals team this year and if Ant-man didn't completely collapse, they would have been, probably. Given how dominant they were with the 2 centres this year, I feel like they've got to at least give it one more shot with that core.

He would be a perfect fit though and if there's any smoke at all, Griff should be on that phone.

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I'm going purely off of memory here so I might be off and it was around the time I was still avoiding the NBA because I was too sad about our exit but I think the KAT trade rumors started because they kept pulling him during crucial moments of their playoff games.

I don't want KAT. I think the issue of getting Ingram to shoot more 3s is much easier and realistic fix than getting KAT to play defense.

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Originally Posted by hornetsrebirth

You keep saying BI is getting 50 mil a year... and I keep telling you nobody's giving him that. One of us is wrong and we're about to find out who.

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4yr $200m is lower than his max, still works out to $50m, and is very much in line with the market right now.

I get what you're saying, but I just do not believe for a second that BI and his agent are watching OG Anunoby get $42m a year, Immanuel Quickley get $35m a year, Jamal Murray getting his $50m a year, and they're sat there thinking ''yeah we should be the ones taking a pay cut''. I just don't think it's likely. Far more likely to me that the ex-all star who's good for 20/5/5 every year pushes for something a lot closer to his max.

Edit: it's worth noting that since it's an extension and he still has a year left on his deal, if BI feels like he's not getting the offer he deserves he can always just wait. Refuse the offer he gets, bet on himself to up his worth in the next year and extend (either here, or with whatever team, or even hit FA) for a bigger contract next season.

That would put us in a horrible situation, as any team trading for him mid-season would be doing so for less than even one full season in what could be a potential rental, knowing they'd have to either be the ones to pay him or lose him for nothing without even getting enough time to evaluate him in their system properly, and on the off-chance that BI does perform over expectation next year, he then puts us over a barrel to max max him, and if we do that then we're in enormous financial difficulty going forward. As in, Trey Murphy has gotta go kind of difficulty.

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Originally Posted by ragincaucasian

Love Wendell Carter Jr's game. He's only 6'10 but has an insane 7'5" wingspan. Is very mobile and has a ton of muscle. Perfect fit.

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Carter and Isaac would do a good job of shoring up the positions at the 4 and 5, adding defense, size, and shooting at those spots.

Both of them have injury concerns, but that's kind of why they're in buy-low positions and you may be able to get both. Isaac alone was considered a high end chip just a few years ago, but more injuries and his contract nearing its end have reduced his value.

If you're Griff and you believe in the medical staff that got Zion to play 70 games this year to help WCJ and Isaac, it seems like a pretty good value deal. It is a bit of a gamble though, so I can see why some people might be reticent.

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Originally Posted by msusousaphone

I don't want KAT. I think the issue of getting Ingram to shoot more 3s is much easier and realistic fix than getting KAT to play defense.

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Didn't it seem like in their series against the nuggets KAT was their best defender against Jokic?

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Originally Posted by hornetsrebirth

Didn't it seem like in their series against the nuggets KAT was their best defender against Jokic?

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Can't remember the numbers but I remember him being pretty solid too.

Plus, I trust WG to get buy-in on defense from someone more than I trust him to convince them to shoot more 3s.

The NBA informed teams that it has set the 2024-25 salary cap: $140,588,000 million; Luxury tax: $170,814,000. Slightly less than $141M prior salary cap estimation.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2024

Pelicans currently stand at about $167m in salary (counting Missi's $3.2m rookie scale, but not yet counting whatever Reeves may get), according to Spotrac.

ESPN Sources: Restricted free agent G Max Christie intends to sign a four-year, $32 million deal to stay with the Los Angeles Lakers. Deal includes player option. Christie — 35th pick in the 2022 draft — has shown promise as a future LA rotation player. pic.twitter.com/75Y86oszJa

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2024

Max Christie 4pts and 2rbds per game on 54% TS last year, aged 20.

.@BobbyMarks42: By moving it to July 1st, New Orleans will not have to pay the luxury tax... However keep an eye that the Pelicans may have to add another player, possibly Matt Ryan... That deal will not get done until July 6th pic.twitter.com/teNHclVGWy

— Pelicans Film Room (@PelsFilmRoom) June 30, 2024

I find it very hard to believe as well that BI will take less. It could happen, it?s not impossible that he changes his game (other players have done it), but it?s all unlikely. It?s one of those ?Do you really want to take that chance?? situations. Talk to BI, find out his situation and where he stands and keep the phone on for the best deal possible. If he wants to extend for a lesser contract- great. That would show a helluva lot of desire to stay. It needs to be sorted sooner rather than later.

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Originally Posted by JJackisangry

I find it very hard to believe as well that BI will take less. It could happen, it?s not impossible that he changes his game (other players have done it), but it?s all unlikely. It?s one of those ?Do you really want to take that chance?? situations. Talk to BI, find out his situation and where he stands and keep the phone on for the best deal possible. If he wants to extend for a lesser contract- great. That would show a helluva lot of desire to stay. It needs to be sorted sooner rather than later.

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I still stand on the belief that whatever happens won't happen until Paul George is off the board. Seems like so many teams are at least tangentially tied to him that BI is a clear second option in those discussions, and we won't know what the best offer is until PG is gone and we know who the real suitors are.

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Originally Posted by RobertM320

.@BobbyMarks42: By moving it to July 1st, New Orleans will not have to pay the luxury tax... However keep an eye that the Pelicans may have to add another player, possibly Matt Ryan... That deal will not get done until July 6th pic.twitter.com/teNHclVGWy

— Pelicans Film Room (@PelsFilmRoom) June 30, 2024

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Clarification on what this means as I understand it:

If the Pels trade for Dejounte was official now, it would have technically still taken place under the 2023-24 season and therefore would take us into the luxury tax for this year.

By waiting until the 6th, when free agents can official sign new contracts and such, it gets shunted into the 2024-25 season, meaning JV and Naji are no longer on the books and we're not in luxury tax territory anymore. But this also means that, because the trade isn't official yet, it could technically be expanded and any other move we made could be folded into it until it's officialised on the 6th.

The non-Saints fans don't understand the MO of the people running this franchise. The salary caps don't work the same but it's only a matter of time until this team begins to manipulate it. Loomis isn't technically there but it will still eventually be Loomised.

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

Clarification on what this means as I understand it:

If the Pels trade for Dejounte was official now, it would have technically still taken place under the 2023-24 season and therefore would take us into the luxury tax for this year.

By waiting until the 6th, when free agents can official sign new contracts and such, it gets shunted into the 2024-25 season, meaning JV and Naji are no longer on the books and we're not in luxury tax territory anymore. But this also means that, because the trade isn't official yet, it could technically be expanded and any other move we made could be folded into it until it's officialised on the 6th.

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I think the reason they're saying we may have to add another player to it is because DJM's salary increases in the new year, or the value of the picks increases in the new year?

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Originally Posted by RobertM320

I think the reason they're saying we may have to add another player to it is because DJM's salary increases in the new year, or the value of the picks increases in the new year?

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I'm not entirely sure but that sounds plausible to me.

I don't think details on Murray's trade bonus have been ironed out yet either, so there's some money coming from that and we don't yet know how much.

Golden State Warriors are waiving Chris Paul and he’ll become an unrestricted free agent, league sources tell @NBAonTNT, @BleacherReport. pic.twitter.com/IO00e82xYx

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) June 30, 2024

Bring him in on the minimum, folks.

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

I still stand on the belief that whatever happens won't happen until Paul George is off the board. Seems like so many teams are at least tangentially tied to him that BI is a clear second option in those discussions, and we won't know what the best offer is until PG is gone and we know who the real suitors are.

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I think somebody will overpay. I do not think it will be a star but assets/picks. Our first step should be to build a team that can win without Zion on the court and one that can play with him when he is on it. Get a fully functional roster and then look towards that next step. If we get the right deal for a star (isn’t off the table) then pull the trigger.

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Originally Posted by JJackisangry

I think somebody will overpay. I do not think it will be a star but assets/picks. Our first step should be to build a team that can win without Zion on the court and one that can play with him when he is on it. Get a fully functional roster and then look towards that next step. If we get the right deal for a star (isn’t off the table) then pull the trigger.

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I think there are attractive trade partners out there in Utah, Orlando, Houston, and Cleveland - and I'm not ruling out the idea of Philadelphia in a 3 teamer if PG doesn't sign there (though I think he will). There are options out there, and with Zach LaVine's market apparently dried up, PG off the table, and Klay apparently angling to LA, there isn't really much choice out there for a team if they want a wing. BI's the best shot, which should mean Griff can demand a slightly higher price.

I agree that there won't be a single mega-star return, but actual players plus picks seems fair. Kessler + Collins + Picks from Utah or WCJ + Isaac + Picks from Orlando, as examples.

James Harden plans to sign a two-year, $70 million contract to return to the Los Angeles Clippers, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Harden’s agents – Mike Silverman, Troy Payne and Brandon Grier of Equity Sports – have been working with Clippers officials to finalize new deal. pic.twitter.com/dRYRS9roL9

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2024

There will be no shortage of Chris Paul suitors once he becomes a free agent, but league sources continue to say -- as @TheSteinLine has been reporting for weeks -- that San Antonio has strong interest in Paul to join forces with Victor Wembanyama.

More NBA free agency coverage… https://t.co/YDa6FdM0d6

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 30, 2024

San Antonio current favourites for Chris Paul

Shams adds that Harden's deal has a player option in the second year, so he's basically taking a one year deal to rehab his recent reputation issues before he can try to go again for bigger money.

Sources confirm Sacramento Kings are pursuing a trade for Brandon Ingram. I?m told Kings have had discussions with the Pelicans and it?s worth noting, Ingram was an emerging star under coach Alvin Gentry, who works in Kings front office.

— Sean Cunningham (@SeanCunningham) June 30, 2024

What do they have that they would trade? They're not letting Sabonis go. We wouldn't take Fox after just trading for Murray, would we? Keegan Murray? Who else?

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

Yeah I don't want to imply that anyone who likes BI is a Lakers fan, just gotta be clear. I just recall that Nichols in particular was/is a Lakers fan - I could be wrong on that and he can correct me if that's the case, but I'm pretty sure he came to the board in the wake of the LA trade for specifically that reason.

The comment about him being a Lakers fan is specifically talking about him. Again, he can correct me if I'm thinking of the wrong person (in which case, I apologise to him for saying it).

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I was, and somewhat still am a Lakers fan. I came here primarily because I wanted to see the young pups, Ball, Ingram, and Josh do well in a new environment. I don't too much care for the Lakers as they currently stand because of how the team is essentially gutted to accommodate Bron. It doesn't feel like a Laker team. It feels like a LeBron team with hired guns. I always cheer for the Pel's over the Lakers when they play, and would prefer seeing them with a chip over the Lakers. Nothing beats rooting for homegrown talent.

So yes, you are partially correct, but the implication that my perspectives should be invalid because of where I come from is wrong. All comments should be assessed based on substance alone.

In addition my family is from NO.. I'm very much rooted in the culture. Though I'm a California native.

Sources confirm Sacramento Kings are pursuing a trade for Brandon Ingram. I’m told Kings have had discussions with the Pelicans and it’s worth noting, Ingram was an emerging star under coach Alvin Gentry, who works in Kings front office.

— Sean Cunningham (@SeanCunningham) June 30, 2024

One of my least favourite destinations for Ingram.

Keeps him in the West, doesn't solve the C problem, and they have no super promising players that they'd be willing to part with to send back. Combine that with the fact that a team of Fox, BI, and Sabonis would be competitive going forward, their picks wouldn't be super high value for at least a few years either.

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Originally Posted by RobertM320

Sources confirm Sacramento Kings are pursuing a trade for Brandon Ingram. I?m told Kings have had discussions with the Pelicans and it?s worth noting, Ingram was an emerging star under coach Alvin Gentry, who works in Kings front office.

— Sean Cunningham (@SeanCunningham) June 30, 2024

What do they have that they would trade? They're not letting Sabonis go. We wouldn't take Fox after just trading for Murray, would we? Keegan Murray? Who else?

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Yeah that's my assessment too. Every time it gets brought up someone mentions Barnes and Huerter as the core elements but that's just really uninspiring. Fixes none of our problems.

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Originally Posted by Nichols

In addition my family is from NO.. I'm very much rooted in the culture. Though I'm a California native.

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So when BI is traded, what will you do?

Free agent F/C Kevin Love is finalizing a two-year, $8 million-plus deal to return to the Miami Heat, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. pic.twitter.com/uUFBaErvb8

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2024

Center Luke Kornet has agreed on a one-year deal to return to the Boston Celtics, sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2024

After 13 iconic seasons together, sources say Klay Thompson is departing the Warriors and the sides will begin to work through sign-and-trade options — discussing now on @Stadium Free Agency Special: https://t.co/UzzmWYSvJk

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2024

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

Yeah that's my assessment too. Every time it gets brought up someone mentions Barnes and Huerter as the core elements but that's just really uninspiring. Fixes none of our problems.

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3rd team?

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Originally Posted by AUSSIE_PELICAN

3rd team?

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Would absolutely have to be. Any straight up deal with Sacramento seems like a loss. They're not giving up Sabonis or Fox, obviously, so nothing else they have blows me out of the water.