2024 Offseason Thread

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bustah

What’s the SKC situation?

---

Whether to invest further in it or build a new place? I can give the front office a mulligan on that because that is a hard decision.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lee2000

I don't think I have seen so much skepticism and gloom around a roster for the Pelicans in a while. It is like the season is lost before it starts. Griffin has opened Pandora's Box by talking about his sense of urgency, but something will give eventually on the center position. At the moment there are a lot of frustrating things about this organization. The Smoothie King Arena situation, the injuries, the turnovers/lack of basketball IQ at pivotal times, and the damn lack of accessibility for regional fans to watch the Pelicans, etc. al., but the roster will be fixed. Play smart, reduce the turnovers, and find on-court chemistry and you have something.

---

That is all self-inflicted emotional damage from negative NOLA beat writers.

Our best Big 3 in NOLA history was CP3-DX-Chandler, right? When healthy, Zion-BI-Murray can top that. Throw in CJ, Herb, Trey, and Jose and this might be the best roster on paper that we've ever had. Even the people really wanting BI traded aren't doubting his game but are negative about the salary.

That's why I want an equal player for BI if traded. Swap him out for Ayton and this is the best roster we've ever gone into camp with but trade him for Allen and we take a step back. Zion-Murray-Allen is near CP3-DC-Chandler but not above, IMO.

I'll amend my stance to say that AD-Cousins-Jrue was our best Big 3 in franchise history and I don't think Zion-BI-Murray are at that level but will maintain we were finals bound if Boogie doesn't get injured and our surrounding roster is better than that team.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by msusousaphone

I'll amend my stance to say that AD-Cousins-Jrue was our best Big 3 in franchise history and I don't think Zion-BI-Murray are at that level but will maintain we were finals bound if Boogie doesn't get injured and our surrounding roster is better than that team.

---

I agree with that but there is much room for growth still. Unfortunately for that combo, I don?t think we had the right coach and for this group our coach is still learning. We need Willie to take a big step this year as well as the 3 you mentioned. I think Griff taking away some of Willie?s toys was a step in the right direction. Hopefully we can get Hawk and Reeves to be somewhat serviceable as backups on defense and get Murray back to his defensive best. That is what Willie can bring.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by msusousaphone

I'll amend my stance to say that AD-Cousins-Jrue was our best Big 3 in franchise history and I don't think Zion-BI-Murray are at that level but will maintain we were finals bound if Boogie doesn't get injured and our surrounding roster is better than that team.

---

i was going to mention this but you corrected yourself lol....

cp3-west-tyson was good but i also believe jrue-cousins-AD was our best big 3...rondo unlock all of their scoring...

i do want to see murray-ingram-herb- zion- center, for a half of season because i think murray will make ingram better....even ingram admitted that the team needed a PG...

cj-hawkins-trey 2nd unit just letting 3s fly like crazy....

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by msusousaphone

I'll amend my stance to say that AD-Cousins-Jrue was our best Big 3 in franchise history and I don't think Zion-BI-Murray are at that level but will maintain we were finals bound if Boogie doesn't get injured and our surrounding roster is better than that team.

---

I would lean towards CP3-DX-Chandler being the best. However, I do not see BI staying. Could be wrong as it has been trending that way.

clevland get- ingram and cole anthony

orlando get- darius garland

pelicans get- wendell carter jr- jett howard- caris levert

is this a good trade?....im reading the article on it...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 6warddude

clevland get- ingram and cole anthony

orlando get- darius garland

pelicans get- wendell carter jr- jett howard- caris levert

is this a good trade?....im reading the article on it...

---

Not really. We have the worst players in that trade.

Brandon Ingram continues to seek a contract extension reaching $200+ million, per @WindhorstESPN on @ESPNCleveland.

The Pelicans have been unwilling to go that number in negotiations, and there doesn’t appear to be much interest elsewhere for Ingram at that figure. pic.twitter.com/Y4uP9qcZBn

— Evan Sidery (@esidery) July 9, 2024

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lee2000

Whether to invest further in it or build a new place? I can give the front office a mulligan on that because that is a hard decision.

---

Well if they replace it, I’m glad I got to watch a game there then.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

Brandon Ingram continues to seek a contract extension reaching $200+ million, per @WindhorstESPN on @ESPNCleveland.

The Pelicans have been unwilling to go that number in negotiations, and there doesn’t appear to be much interest elsewhere for Ingram at that figure. pic.twitter.com/Y4uP9qcZBn

— Evan Sidery (@esidery) July 9, 2024

---

Oh boy, don’t cave Griff

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

Brandon Ingram continues to seek a contract extension reaching $200+ million, per @WindhorstESPN on @ESPNCleveland.

The Pelicans have been unwilling to go that number in negotiations, and there doesn’t appear to be much interest elsewhere for Ingram at that figure. pic.twitter.com/Y4uP9qcZBn

— Evan Sidery (@esidery) July 9, 2024

---

200 for 5 years! Get er done! J/K

Maybe he would be willing to do something like Zion did with injury and games played clauses that get him closer to 50 per. Maybe some accelerators for games played and postseason accomplishment.

BI continues to seek 200 mil but it continues to be true that no team is going to pay it. What he did in the playoffs this year has buyers spooked. I bet those 4 games cost him 8 figures.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by hornetsrebirth

BI continues to seek 200 mil but it continues to be true that no team is going to pay it. What he did in the playoffs this year has buyers spooked. I bet those 4 games cost him 8 figures.

---

Good for him. Hopefully it's a wake up call, and he realizes there's a problem with the way he plays basketball.

If he is seeking that money, you have to imagine he has a point to prove. I would think he will at the very least attempt to fit into the system to maximize his value. If he can’t make it work with this roster, it will not look good on him. Maybe this is his maturation arc. Good luck BI

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Nichols

Good for him. Hopefully it's a wake up call, and he realizes there's a problem with the way he plays basketball.

---

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with the way he plays basketball. His biggest issues are he’s a frail guy so oft injuried and isn’t reliable when the game is on the line.

From his PoV: he's still under contract for a year. What's the incentive for him to sign low, now?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RaisingTheBar

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with the way he plays basketball. His biggest issues are he’s a frail guy so oft injuried and isn’t reliable when the game is on the line.

---

Everyone knows I joined this thread because you guys acquired Ingram, Ball, and Hart from the Lakers. I'm invested in their success. I'd feel the same way about Herb, and Zion. Hell, I even like Jax Hayes lol.

I say that to say this. There is definitely something wrong with the way he plays basketball. It's not all his fault, but he takes way too many highly contested mid-range shots. Problem is he's good at it. So he keeps doing it. Which isn't optimal in terms of offensive efficiency. That's a bigger problem than his health. Which I will acknowledge is also an issue.

He has to change his shot profile and learn how to play off ball. He should be doing what Reggie Miller, Rip Hamilton, and to an extent what Steph Curry does. Utilize off ball screens, catch and make an immediate move to either shoot, drive, or kick. He's capable.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by msusousaphone

From his PoV: he's still under contract for a year. What's the incentive for him to sign low, now?

---

A new contract would at least pay him more next season than he is scheduled to get and offer protection in case he gets injured next year and/or puts up career lows. Which is possible because it's a more crowded offense and Willie showed he is willing to sit BI in critical game situations. But yeah i can see it being a decent chance he will just play out this contract and take his chances.

Griffin's caution with not shaking up the roster earlier may have cost him with Ingram. Media report he will get dimes on the dollar in trade value and nothing if they retain him for his final season. That perception seems to be coming true. I am not gloom and doom about it, but it will measure the front office's activity in filling out roster needs. If the Pelicans can't replace V with a more capable, athletic veteran it will challenge Green's ability for success from the start.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by hornetsrebirth

BI continues to seek 200 mil but it continues to be true that no team is going to pay it. What he did in the playoffs this year has buyers spooked. I bet those 4 games cost him 8 figures.

---

Remember that next time someone criticizes him for not coming back from injury.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RaisingTheBar

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with the way he plays basketball. His biggest issues are he’s a frail guy so oft injuried and isn’t reliable when the game is on the line.

---

Which, if he took more threes and less shots where he had to fight his way inside the arc to get to his spot, he would be less likely to get injured.

Also, a lot of people seem to have already forgotten that one part of his "injury history" was the whole blood clot thing, which really had nothing to do with being injured.

If Pels really willing to go to $180 million, I am a bit surprised that he has not accepted that IF he truly wants to stay in NOLA. I know it is easy for me to say, but is it that far off when clearly no other team is willing to take on a max deal? Playing out the contract is a huge risk on his part given potential for injury or diluted touches with the players on the roster currently (ask Boogie).

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RobertM320

Which, if he took more threes and less shots where he had to fight his way inside the arc to get to his spot, he would be less likely to get injured.

Also, a lot of people seem to have already forgotten that one part of his "injury history" was the whole blood clot thing, which really had nothing to do with being injured.

---

This is a blanket statement that you can say about any player really. Some players are just more injury prone than others, and that’s BI. It’s not anything in his game that’s the issue.

I’m not sure what your point is about the blood clot. In his 8 year career he’s played 65 games once in a season, and that was his rookie year. He misses significant time almost every year and is notorious for taking longer to come back than initially estimated.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lee2000

Whether to invest further in it or build a new place? I can give the front office a mulligan on that because that is a hard decision.

---

The rumor going around is that the FO wants a new arena somewhere by the convention center. LSED is hoping to sell them on renovations to SKC which could include a much bigger backstage locker area and suites on the 100 level and doing something to that press box thing on 300 level. Jeff Duncan had hinted this too. Who knows?

Whatever they choose I don't want it to linger in "decision hell". Make the decision and get er done lol.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by PELICANSFAN

If Pels really willing to go to $180 million, I am a bit surprised that he has not accepted that IF he truly wants to stay in NOLA. I know it is easy for me to say, but is it that far off when clearly no other team is willing to take on a max deal? Playing out the contract is a huge risk on his part given potential for injury or diluted touches with the players on the roster currently (ask Boogie).

---

Cousins situation was exactly what came to my mind as well. He turned down significant guaranteed money and called it a "chess" move, but that gamble completely backfired.

With everything going on with Ingram and his contract situation, we still have to sign TM3 to a contact, with the addition of JM5 and the the roster is as of today what if Trey decline the extension because he doesn't want to play a backup role.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by stevemadden504

With everything going on with Ingram and his contract situation, we still have to sign TM3 to a contact, with the addition of JM5 and the the roster is as of today what if Trey decline the extension because he doesn't want to play a backup role.

---

That first contract... the team has all the leverage. He can decline it, but if another team offers him a deal Pels can match, and he'll have to come back anyway.

We have a log jam at the wing, which isn't that bad of a thing, but either or both Herb and TM3 will be coming off the bench if BI doesn't get traded. You have a first team all nba defender that can knock down 3s, and you have an uber-athletic sniper. The bench would be ridiculous tho.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DroopyDawg

That first contract... the team has all the leverage. He can decline it, but if another team offers him a deal Pels can match, and he'll have to come back anyway.

We have a log jam at the wing, which isn't that bad of a thing, but either or both Herb and TM3 will be coming off the bench if BI doesn't get traded. You have a first team all nba defender that can knock down 3s, and you have an uber-athletic sniper. The bench would be ridiculous tho.

---

If BI isn’t traded CJ is going to have to be OK with coming off the bench at 33 years old. I’m sorry but Herb is too important to the team defensively to not start the game vs. other teams’ best players. This is why I feel that a BI trade has to happen. Otherwise we’re risking the development of Herb/Trey IMO. Those guys need starter minutes and should be playing at EOG.

If I had to pick one or the other to trade I would pick CJ, but at his current contract I don’t think he’s moveable so not even entertaining that option. If no trade is made I honestly think the bench will be too good, like almost wasted. We essentially would just have a logjam of guys who can be inserted into the starting lineup when select player(s) eventually get injured and are out for extended periods of time. Having one guy like that is awesome, but potentially 2-3 could be an issue especially if those are younger guys who aren’t done growing (their games not physically).

Here is a better variation of the Cavs/Magic/Pels trade idea

Magic get
PG Darius Garland

Cavs get
SF Brandon Ingram
PG Cole Anthony
C Wendell Carter Jr.

Pels get
C Jarret Allen
PG Anthony Black
PF Georges Niang

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RaisingTheBar

If BI isn’t traded CJ is going to have to be OK with coming off the bench at 33 years old. I’m sorry but Herb is too important to the team defensively to not start the game vs. other teams’ best players. This is why I feel that a BI trade has to happen. Otherwise we’re risking the development of Herb/Trey IMO. Those guys need starter minutes and should be playing at EOG.

If I had to pick one or the other to trade I would pick CJ, but at his current contract I don’t think he’s moveable so not even entertaining that option. If no trade is made I honestly think the bench will be too good, like almost wasted. We essentially would just have a logjam of guys who can be inserted into the starting lineup when select player(s) eventually get injured and are out for extended periods of time. Having one guy like that is awesome, but potentially 2-3 could be an issue especially if those are younger guys who aren’t done growing (their games not physically).

---

I hear ya, its inconceivable to think someone would choose CJ as the starter at that juncture. Even if Ingram is not here, I can't fathom why someone would start him over
T Murphy and Herb jones. On tup of that CJ is an ideal 6th man, he could be our version of "the Microwave" . But from everything i read it sounds like its a foregone conclusion that he will in fact start. this boggles my mind

Kessler is capable of making 3s? Didn't know it

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DroopyDawg

Kessler is capable of making 3s? Didn't know it

---

I'm sold, Ingram for Walker + Collins?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Darkhorse985

Here is a better variation of the Cavs/Magic/Pels trade idea

Magic get
PG Darius Garland

Cavs get
SF Brandon Ingram
PG Cole Anthony
C Wendell Carter Jr.

Pels get
C Jarret Allen
PG Anthony Black
PF Georges Niang

---

I wouldn’t hate it, but 3 team trades of this magnitude rarely happen.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DroopyDawg

Kessler is capable of making 3s? Didn't know it

---

He's not really. He has made 5 in his career.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DroopyDawg

That first contract... the team has all the leverage. He can decline it, but if another team offers him a deal Pels can match, and he'll have to come back anyway.

---

And then when another team inevitably offers him the $25m a year he wants, because he's worth that and in the current league context that's practically cheap for a guy of his skill-set, you have to pay him the deal anyway except now he also has a good reason to dislike you. Not only have you spent 4 years with him chained to the bench, but now you won't even let him go get his opportunity elsewhere.

Newest Stein Line continues what we already knew: BI and his agent are still pushing for the max. Pels don't want to give him it but are looking around to league to see if there's anyone else who would, and the answer appears to be no. Nobody wants to pay BI that contract.

It will take a while to sink in. Maybe a long while. He'll blame the team for tanking his value. He'll blame his agent. He'll fume about other "lesser" players getting max extensions. But eventually acceptance will arrive. Perhaps that will allow him to sign a shorter extension for less than the max with the idea that he can "rehabilitate" his value next year. The question then becomes how does he try to do that. Correct answer: Shoot and make a lot more 3-pointers and defend at a high level. Possible answer: Hero ball.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by new city champ

It will take a while to sink in. Maybe a long while. He'll blame the team for tanking his value. He'll blame his agent. He'll fume about other "lesser" players getting max extensions. But eventually acceptance will arrive. Perhaps that will allow him to sign a shorter extension for less than the max with the idea that he can "rehabilitate" his value next year. The question then becomes how does he try to do that. Correct answer: Shoot and make a lot more 3-pointers and defend at a high level. Possible answer: Hero ball.

---

Spot on post..

Shamit on locked on Cavs discussing a possible Pels/Cavs trade for BI.

Update. Perhaps if true we need to give Grif credit

New Orleans Pelicans will only move Brandon Ingram if they like the offer that other teams have offered & all of the offers for Ingram are not good, I’m told.

Per a Pelicans source: “Right now all the offers are crap.”

As of today: Pelicans are genuinely fine with going into… pic.twitter.com/n9Yiq7Rv7H

— �� Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson (@ScoopB) July 11, 2024

So basically all the offers have been crap. Can’t move him keep him. Perhaps better in long run.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 13 - 3

So basically all the offers have been crap. Can’t move him keep him. Perhaps better in long run.

---

if we can end up getting Ingram for around 40 mil a year, that would be a great outcome for the Pelicans.

I’m guessing CJ stays too.

As usual, we get an ultra hard bracket for the IST this coming season.

Presenting West Group C for the #EmiratesNBACup!

Starting November 12, all 30 teams will compete for the NBA Cup with 8 teams advancing out of groups into the knockout rounds, with the semifinals and championship held in Las Vegas, December 14 and 17! pic.twitter.com/gtu9CvMCrr

— NBA (@NBA) July 12, 2024

Ingram’ s camp gonna give it a try now. Marc Stein is as credible as it gets

https://www.nbcsports.com/nba/news/b...ing-to-pay-max

Quote:

---

Ingram’s management team is working with the Pelicans to find Ingram a new home, Marc Stein reported in his latest newsletter at Substack.

---

Quote:

---

The Pelicans want to trade him partly because they don’t want to pay him on his next contract — a max would be four years, $208 million — but other teams feel the same way.

---

Quote:

---

However, teams don’t want to give him $50+ million a year, or 30% of their cap space. In a second apron tax world, teams are going to be more careful about who gets a max contract, and if there are questions about how much a player contributes to winning or if there is an injury history — both things that apply to Ingram — teams are hesitant.

---

Can’t trade Ingram for a bag of chips.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 13 - 3

Ingram’ s camp gonna give it a try now. Marc Stein is as credible as it gets

https://www.nbcsports.com/nba/news/b...ing-to-pay-max

---

Ingram will have to check his ego. Let him play into the season with a PG and show what type of player he is. He still won’t be worth a max, but he can still answer a lot of questions to prove that he is a $40-$45 million a year player.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Darkhorse985

Ingram will have to check his ego. Let him play into the season with a PG and show what type of player he is. He still won’t be worth a max, but he can still answer a lot of questions to prove that he is a $40-$45 million a year player.

---

Agreed..