2024 Offseason Thread

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RaisingTheBar

Bold, maybe not so bold take here, even if BI is moved I think CJ should come off the bench. His 3PA would not dip, maybe wouldn’t avg 20ppg+ anymore but he would be efficient as hell and in 6th man of the year convo. Would be better for the team. It needs to happen. He can start when we inevitably have people miss games here and there.

---

Yep. You can get just as many minutes as a sixth man. It doesn’t make CJ any less important. It just spreads the points and usage around and allows him to maximize his minutes when he is on the floor. We would probably have gone on less scoring droughts if CJ was helping our bench. ESPECIALLY if he was going against second units.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JJackisangry

Yep. You can get just as many minutes as a sixth man. It doesn’t make CJ any less important. It just spreads the points and usage around and allows him to maximize his minutes when he is on the floor. We would probably have gone on less scoring droughts if CJ was helping our bench. ESPECIALLY if he was going against second units.

---

Exactly this.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by donato

I don't hate the idea of trading Hawkins for Kessler.

---

I have heard that Ainge's asking price for Kessler was way too high for Griffin to even continue discussions.

So Ingram never was going to be traded? I heard Griff. Saying the other day he can’t get a bag of chips for him so why bother. Looks like CJ is here to stay. This should not be issues if they can stay healthy. Anyone else surprised some teams questioned Ingram’s character?

Willie needs to become a better coach. He should be coaching the Summer League team .

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 13 - 3

So Ingram never was going to be traded? I heard Griff. Saying the other day he can’t get a bag of chips for him so why bother. Looks like CJ is here to stay. This should not be issues if they can stay healthy. Anyone else surprised some teams questioned Ingram’s character?

Willie needs to become a better coach. He should be coaching the Summer League team .

---

I thought the coaching for the summer league was ok given what the roster was. They hung around in the games. I know that is not the point you are making with Willie. If his coaching is not up to par and the team struggles out of the gate he might be in some trouble.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 13 - 3

Anyone else surprised some teams questioned Ingram’s character?

---

Link? Have not seen any questions about his character. It has been mainly about his contract demands.

It was stated openly that the team's intention was to keep him.

The Pelicans have ZERO Insiders reporting but a ton of amateur beat writers jockeying for position on various mediums. They tend to all regurgitate the same information and a once they get on a hill, they stay on that hill. Long ago the general consensus of the group was that Zion can only win on a team with 14 3pt shooters. Just him and a team of people who can shoot the three. Despite this past season showing that Zion fit incredibly well with BI, they are obsessed with the idea that BI does not shoot enough threes and therefore must be cast off the team. This narrative is easily thwarted with stats....since they all show Zion and BI fit better together than Zion and CJ (who shoots the threes they want)....it's also easily defeated with the common sense notion that if the answer is simple BI shooting more 3s, the coaches would have asked him to shoot more 3s.

BUT THE NARRATIVE MUST FIT!!!

So we now must both ignore stats (you'll never see people saying BI and Zion don't fit provide data to back this claim) and create a fantasy where the team DID ask BI to take more 3s but he refused to do it. Nevermind all the claims in the past showing him to be a team player with a great attitude.....no...if we just attack his character and ignore the stats....maybe we can finally force this team to trade him and finally surround Zion with 14 3pt shooters like God and Israel always intended.

I started off kind of mocking this mindset but my research made a believer. Just let BI walk for nothing next season! What a lousy attitude on that guy!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by PELICANSFAN

Link? Have not seen any questions about his character. It has been mainly about his contract demands.

---

I'm glad you corrected this.. It seems that on occasion there's a false narrative being attached to Ingram in here.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by msusousaphone

It was stated openly that the team's intention was to keep him.

The Pelicans have ZERO Insiders reporting but a ton of amateur beat writers jockeying for position on various mediums. They tend to all regurgitate the same information and a once they get on a hill, they stay on that hill. Long ago the general consensus of the group was that Zion can only win on a team with 14 3pt shooters. Just him and a team of people who can shoot the three. Despite this past season showing that Zion fit incredibly well with BI, they are obsessed with the idea that BI does not shoot enough threes and therefore must be cast off the team. This narrative is easily thwarted with stats....since they all show Zion and BI fit better together than Zion and CJ (who shoots the threes they want)....it's also easily defeated with the common sense notion that if the answer is simple BI shooting more 3s, the coaches would have asked him to shoot more 3s.

BUT THE NARRATIVE MUST FIT!!!

So we now must both ignore stats (you'll never see people saying BI and Zion don't fit provide data to back this claim) and create a fantasy where the team DID ask BI to take more 3s but he refused to do it. Nevermind all the claims in the past showing him to be a team player with a great attitude.....no...if we just attack his character and ignore the stats....maybe we can finally force this team to trade him and finally surround Zion with 14 3pt shooters like God and Israel always intended.

I started off kind of mocking this mindset but my research made a believer. Just let BI walk for nothing next season! What a lousy attitude on that guy!

---

I?m telling you they mad that Brandon doesn?t do interviews and his father isn?t all in the news feeding them what they want to hear

I like these guys podcast cause they talk about my team but

Look at the Trey praise his game is so simple launch 3s and dunk no handle no defense no rebounding but guess what he loves doing interviews and his father eagerly talk to these guys
Imagine tryna be a team reporter and the best two players don?t really wanna talk to y?all

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by PELICANSFAN

Link? Have not seen any questions about his character. It has been mainly about his contract demands.

---

Marc Stien . Good news . Lakers are not out of the hunt. His camp may have put this out.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/...mid-nba-rumors

Quote:

---

Granted, the Lakers could feel the financial squeeze of a trade at some point, but the actual transaction cost to get Ingram out of New Orleans shouldn't be absurd.
An offer built around Rui Hachimura and D'Angelo Russell would get L.A. close enough where only a minimum contract (like Christian Wood or Cam Reddish) would be needed to make the deal work financially. The Lakers could also craft something around Hachimura, Gabe Vincent and Jarred Vanderbilt if Russell held up the deal for either side.
They'd still need a sweetener to get across the finish line, but they shouldn't have to use both of the future firsts they're able to trade (2029 and 2031). If they could get that down to one first with at least a tiny bit of protection on it, that might be something that works for both sides.

---

I would bet if we made that trade the lakers would be better than us no question lol

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Algiersraised

I would bet if we made that trade the lakers would be better than us no question lol

---

Or he could just walk to the Lakers the following year. At least get something for him. It would be nice if we could get Wood back. Rue is a great pick up too.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 13 - 3

Marc Stien . Good news . Lakers are not out of the hunt. His camp may have put this out.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/...mid-nba-rumors

---

How would the Lakers pay him? Unless they are also willing to let him walk after next season.

Not to mention he won't even get any playing time behind Bronny!

I doubt he wants to go back to la Brandon seems like the type to hold a grudge don’t think he’s that found of Lebron

Could see him going to the clippers tho

Brandon is a lowkey guy which is why he likes New Orleans. I think he would rather stay away from the circus so Lakers are probably a longshot. I doubt we would want to make them stronger either.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by P_B_&_G

How would the Lakers pay him? Unless they are also willing to let him walk after next season.

Not to mention he won't even get any playing time behind Bronny!

---

It’s been posted. Read the article. Don’t question how the Lakers do business.

Quote:

---

Paying Ingram long-term could be tricky down the line, but the Lakers are following the lead of a 39-year-old James. This isn't the time to worry about down-the-line dollars.

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 13 - 3

It’s been posted. Read the article. Don’t question how the Lakers do business.

---

Ok, the other question is why on earth would the Pels trade for D'Angelo Russell? I guess we could just play 5 guards all the time.

Its obviously a piece written for clicks by Lakers fans because it makes no sense at all for the pelicans to make that trade. Rui is a nice player but if he can't play center I don't think he has a place here either let alone Russell.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by P_B_&_G

Ok, the other question is why on earth would the Pels trade for D'Angelo Russell? I guess we could just play 5 guards all the time.

Its obviously a piece written for clicks by Lakers fans because it makes no sense at all for the pelicans to make that trade. Rui is a nice player but if he can't play center I don't think he has a place here either let alone Russell.

---

https://heavy.com/sports/nba/los-ang...ngelo-russell/

Another source possibly waiting for a 3rd and 4th team to get involved if this happens

https://lakeshowlife.com/posts/brand...rdable-pursuit

Quote:

---

New Orleans will obviously play hardball, especially considering the fact that they traded Davis to Los Angeles just five years ago. In saying that, the Pelicans are beginning to lose leverage in potential trade discussions as Ingram inches closer to playing the 2024-25 season on an expiring deal.
If the Lakers remain patient, they could potentially construct a favorable deal that lands Ingram back in the purple and gold for a reasonable cost.

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JJackisangry

Brandon is a lowkey guy which is why he likes New Orleans. I think he would rather stay away from the circus so Lakers are probably a longshot. I doubt we would want to make them stronger either.

---

How does the Warriors sound?

"I would like to see Brandon Ingram go to the Golden State Warriors... putting him alongside Steph Curry and Draymond Green would actually put the Warriors back in the thick of things, especially in the Western Conference."

- Kendrick Perkins ��pic.twitter.com/6lY6MKt8tE

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) July 17, 2024

Put another team in contention in the west yeah that sounds like a good plan

After looking at all these garbage trade offers I'm fully onboard with keeping BI. With a proper development plan in place Missi could be a contributor for us by the time the playoffs roll around. Entrust the center position to Matkovic and Missi, and enjoy our superior talent and depth at every other position. And either we resign BI to a reasonable contract or he walks at the end of the year and we move forward with Trey taking over.

[QUOTE]

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by msusousaphone

It was stated openly that the team's intention was to keep him.

The Pelicans have ZERO Insiders reporting but a ton of amateur beat writers jockeying for position on various mediums. They tend to all regurgitate the same information and a once they get on a hill, they stay on that hill. Long ago the general consensus of the group was that Zion can only win on a team with 14 3pt shooters. Just him and a team of people who can shoot the three. Despite this past season showing that Zion fit incredibly well with BI, they are obsessed with the idea that BI does not shoot enough threes and therefore must be cast off the team. This narrative is easily thwarted with stats....since they all show Zion and BI fit better together than Zion and CJ (who shoots the threes they want)....it's also easily defeated with the common sense notion that if the answer is simple BI shooting more 3s, the coaches would have asked him to shoot more 3s.

BUT THE NARRATIVE MUST FIT!!!

So we now must both ignore stats (you'll never see people saying BI and Zion don't fit provide data to back this claim) and create a fantasy where the team DID ask BI to take more 3s but he refused to do it. Nevermind all the claims in the past showing him to be a team player with a great attitude..... no...if we just attack his character and ignore the stats....maybe we can finally force this team to trade him and finally surround Zion with 14 3pt shooters like God and Israel always intended.

---

.
I feel ya. BI has actually been my favorite player the last few years because of his attitude. He had a lousy series vs. a better team, and we do need him having the confidence to take more three's. Considering the gym rat he is, and his struggles this past year...... id bet on him coming back playing his best ball to date.

That being said, we still have a wing-heavy, unbalanced roster and I'd like to see us trade a wing for a big man. (ideally CJ)

I have no problem with a BI extension. But at 50 mil per year, he’s not worth that.

What’s Trey worth to y’all

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Algiersraised

What’s Trey worth to y’all

---

Being completely honest……more than BI. Currently I understand BI is more polished offensively and defensively, but I think Trey has higher potential on both ends. CJ/BI is stunting Trey’s growth IMO but that’s what happens when you have a log jam at certain positions. I feel Trey is a starter on 3/4 of NBA teams.

Can’t nobody stop you from being who your supposed to be if he like that he going to out work them and earn it
I see him for what he shows now not the potential of if he did this and did that
But I understand in a way
I think 3/4 of the teams is over selling him

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RaisingTheBar

Being completely honest……more than BI. Currently I understand BI is more polished offensively and defensively, but I think Trey has higher potential on both ends. CJ/BI is stunting Trey’s growth IMO but that’s what happens when you have a log jam at certain positions. I feel Trey is a starter on 3/4 of NBA teams.

---

tough call. considering what they'll be willing to settle for financially, Trey Murphy gets the call. At the same price i gotta give it to Ingram. When Ingram made the all star team he was younger than Trey Murphy is now. Although Trey is only two years younger ,that's an advantage in his favor i guess.

I’m not saying I don’t like BI. I’m perfectly fine with giving him an extension, but more at like 40 per year and not 50. As this second in totality BI is better. But I think he’s very near his peak. I think the upside in Trey is greater. But obviously it is a possibility he never reached that potential.

For me to think Trey deserves good money at 610 I need 8 rebounds a game
Reeves should be a solid player off the bench he plays with a nice pace

Hawk got some real competition I think he better get his dribbling or muscle up

Hawk not coming back in the game.

These guys actively killing their chance of making any roster just feed the hot hand play your role lol

Reeves can score, I’d like to see ford get an invite. Doubt he makes roster but he can play, should be on someone’s g league roster.

He can’t replace Alvarado but he definitely could play somewhere

I don’t think he would replace Alvarado. I’m thinking more of a Naji type role for him. This is assuming he can even crack the rotation, which is a huge question mark the way this team is currently configured.

Christian Clark’ s depth chart

https://www.nola.com/sports/pelicans...5c645b3a2.html

Starters

Quote:

---

Starters

Dejounte Murray, Herb Jones, Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson, Daniel Theis

---

Bench

Quote:

---

Bench

Jose Alvarado, CJ McCollum, Trey Murphy, Yves Missi

---

Deep bench

Quote:

---

Deep bench

Jordan Hawkins, Matt Ryan, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Karlo Matkovic

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 13 - 3

Christian Clark’ s depth chart

https://www.nola.com/sports/pelicans...5c645b3a2.html

Starters


Bench


Deep bench

---

Seems plausible and I'd be fine with that. Not sure how the center minutes will go.

I like that Reeves took the last two games to show his 3 pt ability. He answered the summer league questions. Now onto the NBA. If he is as tight as he looks with the ball in summer league, he could be a steal. Can he finish through and over NBA caliber players?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 13 - 3

Christian Clark’ s depth chart

https://www.nola.com/sports/pelicans...5c645b3a2.html

Starters


Bench


Deep bench

---

This would be ideal. What a nice bench rotation that would be.

I don't like that starting lineup much at all. The Pelicans should just commit to not having a set starting rotation for the first 20 games at least. Try different lineups and collect some data on it first, then decide. It's too murky to just make an assumption about what will work the best.

Zion is locked in as a starter (when healthy) and Murray is locked in as the starting point guard, everything else should be up for competition. Try some different combinations for the wings and center, see what works. Clark assumes Ingram is locked in as a starter but I don't understand why given how active the Pelicans were in trying to get BI off the team. My guess is that Clark's lineup would not be good enough from 3 point range, which is just too important.

Dejounte herb Brandon Zion Trey cj as 6th man karlo and hawk Alvarado the next guys
If we are a real deal team we shouldn’t have to go too much further than 9/10 deep into rotation

If Trey deserves his money more than Brandon he should be able to grab 8 rebounds a game and defend anybody who isn’t jokic embiid and wemby as well as Zion when it comes to rebounding
It’s time to hold the team accountable not just one guy

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by hornetsrebirth

I don't like that starting lineup much at all. The Pelicans should just commit to not having a set starting rotation for the first 20 games at least. Try different lineups and collect some data on it first, then decide. It's too murky to just make an assumption about what will work the best.

Zion is locked in as a starter (when healthy) and Murray is locked in as the starting point guard, everything else should be up for competition. Try some different combinations for the wings and center, see what works. Clark assumes Ingram is locked in as a starter but I don't understand why given how active the Pelicans were in trying to get BI off the team. My guess is that Clark's lineup would not be good enough from 3 point range, which is just too important.

---

Because they probably weren't all that active and it was mostly click bait fluff to keep internet traffic over the off-season.

I think every C won't play more than 20 min.

Theis 20, Missi 12-14, Matkovic/JRE/Zion or Trey small-ball 10-14

Something like that, with the depth like now.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by msusousaphone

Because they probably weren't all that active and it was mostly click bait fluff to keep internet traffic over the off-season.

---

Nah they wanted to trade him but he was "mechanically incapable" of being traded despite both the Pelicans and BI's representation trying to find him a team.

Ya know, I understand the logic behind us choosing Missi in the draft considering what we needed, where we were in the draft, and what was left.

But considering our bevy of tradeable draft picks and bench players I couldn't help but wonder why we wouldn't have moved up so we could have selected Kel'el Ware, whom most considered a much better prospect.

whatever that move up to late , late lottery would have cost, it would have been a lot cheaper than what it will eventually cost

Downgrading C to upgrade PG, It's not what I expected from when Griff stated " we are done watching this team".

Antonio Reeves signed a 3 yr deal.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Algiersraised

Dejounte herb Brandon Zion Trey cj as 6th man karlo and hawk Alvarado the next guys
If we are a real deal team we shouldn’t have to go too much further than 9/10 deep into rotation

If Trey deserves his money more than Brandon he should be able to grab 8 rebounds a game and defend anybody who isn’t jokic embiid and wemby as well as Zion when it comes to rebounding
It’s time to hold the team accountable not just one guy

---

Trey should be used primarily as a perimeter player though not camping out in the paint. Increasing his rebounds moderately is a good goal, no reason to suddenly ask him to become a rebounding powerhouse. I watched him on the roommates podcast with Josh Hart recently and he said he doesn't believe that Zion at the 5 works very well. I think the Pelicans will do it a little but not a lot. I'd like to see all 3 of the centers get minutes each game.

Interestingly another thing mentioned on the podcast was that Josh Hart did not want to be in New Orleans and had a bad attitude about it, which made Trey think he didn't like him. Apparently Josh was upset about contract negotiations with the Pelicans and wanted out.