Pels Off season thread

I still think there’s more. I can’t imagine there’s not.

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Originally Posted by donato

I still think there’s more. I can’t imagine there’s not.

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I would hope so.

I wish we had the ear of a reporter who could ask a breakdown of MM’s comment - phrased politely enough that they do not go defensive yet direct enough to get an answer.

If nothing is done and we literally traded 2 first round picks for Davonte Graham, this will be the worst offseason in Pelicans history.

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Originally Posted by Rampart

I wish we had the ear of a reporter who could ask a breakdown of MM’s comment - phrased politely enough that they do not go defensive yet direct enough to get an answer.

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You wont get an answer. No matter how you approach them. Let me give you an example of how they think. They knew the Adams deal was questionable, but their logic was something like: "If we lose, we'd rather lose with guys we want than guys we dont" -- like, that kind of thinking blows my mind in this phase of their build. Down the line, sure. But to give up assets because you like the person and you might win more with him, might not - but if you dont, at least you went down swinging with your guys....I just cant fathom that at this phase

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Originally Posted by donato

I'm hoping there’s more. It wouldn't shock me if there’s not.

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fixed/how I feel

Ill Waiting GIF from Ill GIFs

The Charlotte Hornets have emerged with strong interest in a potential offer sheet for Chicago restricted free agent Lauri Markkanen, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. RFAs can begin signing sheets Friday.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 5, 2021

Bulls-Pels-Hornets 3 way

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Originally Posted by pelafanatic

The Charlotte Hornets have emerged with strong interest in a potential offer sheet for Chicago restricted free agent Lauri Markkanen, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. RFAs can begin signing sheets Friday.

? Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 5, 2021

Bulls-Pels-Hornets 3 way

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Who else would we want from Hornets?


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Originally Posted by MichaelMcNamara

You wont get an answer. No matter how you approach them. Let me give you an example of how they think. They knew the Adams deal was questionable, but their logic was something like: "If we lose, we'd rather lose with guys we want than guys we dont" -- like, that kind of thinking blows my mind in this phase of their build. Down the line, sure. But to give up assets because you like the person and you might win more with him, might not - but if you dont, at least you went down swinging with your guys....I just cant fathom that at this phase

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Does Trajan have the same mindset or is that mostly Griff?

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Originally Posted by Sleeper

Who else would we want from Hornets?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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A 2023 protected 1st

Wasn't the original deal going to be Graham to the Pels, Lonzo to the Bulls, and Lauri to the Hornets? What the hell happened? Is it possible that these things have been fluid and Woj's original reports were not yet set in stone?

I may be desperate enough at this time to accept Kevin Love and his big expiring next year for a sign and trade of Hart. Love, when healthy, could be our sixth man in the mold of Ryan Anderson.

Lineup

PG: Graham/Kira/Alvarado(2-way)
SG: NAW/Satoransky/Didi
SF: Ingram/Temple/Marshall/Jones
PF: Zion/Love/Murphy III
C: Valanciunas/Hayes

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Originally Posted by pelafanatic

Wasn't the original deal going to be Graham to the Pels, Lonzo to the Bulls, and Lauri to the Hornets? What the hell happened? Is it possible that these things have been fluid and Woj's original reports were not yet set in stone?

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Nothing is set in stone. Especially when you have 3 RFA's. Now, not only do you have to have 3 teams agree, but you need 3 players to agree on new contracts with specific teams while numerous other teams are probably calling their agent.

That trade was out pretty early, but there was about to be a Hart for Graham trade and then something changed that out of nowhere. I had always assumed another deal for Hart, but maybe Hart decided he didnt want to go to Charlotte. No clue as of this moment. But something weird happened with all that

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Originally Posted by Sovereign

Does Trajan have the same mindset or is that mostly Griff?

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Trajan almost left for Sacramento. So, I don't know if we are that bad or he just enjoys suffering.

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Originally Posted by Darkhorse985

I may be desperate enough at this time to accept Kevin Love and his big expiring next year for a sign and trade of Hart. Love, when healthy, could be our sixth man in the mold of Ryan Anderson.

Lineup

PG: Graham/Kira/Alvarado(2-way)
SG: NAW/Satoransky/Didi
SF: Ingram/Temple/Marshall/Jones
PF: Zion/Love/Murphy III
C: Valanciunas/Hayes

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I wouldn't hate it, but I'm not loving it. Love would fill a "need"... What level of play he fills it with will probably leave a lot to be desired.

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Originally Posted by Taker597

Trajan almost left for Sacramento. So, I don't know if we are that bad or he just enjoys suffering.

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Sources tell @TheAthletic that Pelicans GM Trajan Langdon has informed the Sacramento Kings he will not be involved in their search for a new head of basketball operations.

Langdon, one of the hottest names on the market, is heading into his second season with New Orleans.

— Will Guillory (@WillGuillory) September 9, 2020

Almost left is slightly misleading

Yeah. That would either suggest that he still views NOLA as on the rise......or at the least he feels like it's more of a controlled dumpster fire than Sacramento.

Isn't Love a turnstile on D on his best days? I guess he could be an absolute last resort...

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Originally Posted by MichaelMcNamara

Nothing is set in stone. Especially when you have 3 RFA's. Now, not only do you have to have 3 teams agree, but you need 3 players to agree on new contracts with specific teams while numerous other teams are probably calling their agent.

That trade was out pretty early, but there was about to be a Hart for Graham trade and then something changed that out of nowhere. I had always assumed another deal for Hart, but maybe Hart decided he didnt want to go to Charlotte. No clue as of this moment. But something weird happened with all that

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Well could this be holding up things, if Hart may not want to go to say Sac or Utah if we are trying to trade w/ them?
Also doesn't Josh have to be signed or moved by tomorrow?

If we do not do anything I will lose what little bit of hope I have left. This is ****ing pathetic.

what if we get markkanen too? Chicago gets Hart.

maybe charlotte gets thad young and Temple which would be dumb but they arent very good...

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Originally Posted by iNolaNightmare

If we do not do anything I will lose what little bit of hope I have left. This is ****ing pathetic.

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Will be good to have another in this group. Gets lonely sometimes over here

Temple is 100% staying. I can say that for a fact

https://twitter.com/FearTheBrown/sta...906142720?s=20

Not sure if Shamit is right, but the question was if the moves aren't completed tomorrow would it reduce the cap available

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Originally Posted by Peliwins

https://twitter.com/FearTheBrown/sta...906142720?s=20

Not sure if Shamit is right, but the question was if the moves aren't completed tomorrow would it reduce the cap available

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Sure, we dont have to do the trades tomorrow but you gotta get the other teams to be okay with that because Memphis rookies cant join them until that trade is official and I am sure they want them for Summer League.

Pels shouldnt need extra time to get stuff done. They've had days and not a ton of moving parts happening any more around the league. This isnt like when the Lakers were waiting on Kawhi and we had to wait a few days

NBA Analysis Network
@HoopAnalysisNet
Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine
) on Kelly Oubre:

“I haven’t heard much of anything. The #Pelicans are a team that could make a move but I haven’t heard anything. Oubre was expecting $15 million.” Flushed face #NBA

Both Willie and Collins have coached him. Griff likes him for some reason. So, its possible. I just cant for the life of me see how he helps. That said, if he comes on a 1+1, I will take him as a salary to trade

Everyone left is linked to the Pels.

It just feels like the expanded trade would have happened by now. The only thing I could see holding up is contract negotiations for those being signed and traded. But. They have had since Monday (legally) to figure that out. All in all I am extremely discouraged. If they do not figure this out I may have a fit of rage.

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Originally Posted by MichaelMcNamara

Sure, we dont have to do the trades tomorrow but you gotta get the other teams to be okay with that because Memphis rookies cant join them until that trade is official and I am sure they want them for Summer League.

Pels shouldnt need extra time to get stuff done. They've had days and not a ton of moving parts happening any more around the league. This isnt like when the Lakers were waiting on Kawhi and we had to wait a few days

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What are the sources saying right now? Stagnant? Langdon and Griffin on Airline playing paper football like Tony Stark and Nebula in end game?

Why in the hell aren't WE interested in Markkanen? He would provide awesome spacing. Dude is 7 foot and shot 40 percent from 3 last year. Wtf,...

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Originally Posted by ragincaucasian

Why in the hell aren't WE interested in Markkanen? He would provide awesome spacing. Dude is 7 foot and shot 40 percent from 3 last year. Wtf,...

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And that?s about all he does. Also can?t stay healthy. At least with someone like Buddy Hield that offers offense only you get the benefit of him being an iron man.

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Originally Posted by ragincaucasian

Why in the hell aren't WE interested in Markkanen? He would provide awesome spacing. Dude is 7 foot and shot 40 percent from 3 last year. Wtf,...

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Cause he's bad at basketball as an overall sport. Does one thing, cannot do anything else at a reasonable level. Most disastrous defensive 7 footer since... ever? Maybe? Low feel, can't really pass particularly well, etc.

Just not very good at all. Bulls fans are rejoicing that he might be on the way out.

I wonder what's going on? So quiet.

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

Cause he's bad at basketball as an overall sport. Does one thing, cannot do anything else at a reasonable level. Most disastrous defensive 7 footer since... ever? Maybe? Low feel, can't really pass particularly well, etc.

Just not very good at all. Bulls fans are rejoicing that he might be on the way out.

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I admittedly have not watched any tape on the guy, but it seems like defense is teachable more than offense. Is he not fixable?

Ok, so if nothing is going on and we can’t make anything work, can we create more cap space than the MLE? If we put the trades through and let Hart walk, would we be more than $10 million under the cap in order to trump any Clipper offer to Reggie Jackson? Obviously, we wouldn’t have to do it until we knew he was willing to accept. And no it’s not the best outcome as compared to the trades and picks and full MLE we could have in theory used. But getting Jackson would still make this a pretty interesting team in the end.

Graham and Val may end up being very good pickups, but part of me thinks we could have waited one more year before putting our chips on the table. As someone said earlier, dealing two picks away when we maybe could have bit the bullet for one more year is a gamble. Obviously Griffin is worried about his job, but you have to worry when your management is desperate. I?ll remain optimistic as I do like Val and Graham

I mean.. if they sit pat and have another disaster of a season, they won't be here anymore.

They say Reggie Jackson practicing w/ the Clips as if he's still going to be on the team so he may not be available anymore.
We may want to just offer Kelly Oubre the MLE and he can come off the bench for BI and Naji plays power forward, coming off the bench for Zion.

It’s time we bow our heads and close our eyes.

Brother Mac, will you lead us in prayer for the Pelicans franchise. It has been a long enduring suffering and we desperately need to be ridden of this evil..

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Originally Posted by ragincaucasian

I admittedly have not watched any tape on the guy, but it seems like defense is teachable more than offense. Is he not fixable?

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I actually think generally speaking, the reverse is true. It's fairly easy (relatively speaking, none of this is actually easy) for someone to learn a few pre-set passing reads, or to work on a jump shot. The number of players who go from absolute shambles on defense to being actually good is extremely small.

My biggest concern with someone like Markkanen is the feel aspect. He just looks awkward and lost large portions of the time, and unfortunately feel just isn't particularly teachable. Players who just don't get it don't often figure it out, especially at the age of 24. Like, 24 isn't old by any means and you can learn individual skills still, but how many people go from just flat out clueless to reading the game well at that stage of their life?

It just seems like too much of a long-shot gamble for me to want to invest any time in.

Schopenhauer once said that buying books would be a good thing if one could also buy the time in which to read them. It's a similar thing here: acquiring Markkanen might be a good idea if acquiring him also meant acquiring all of the time and resources that he would need to grow, but it doesn't.

I'm all for preserving flexibility. But trading away 2 FRP, being debatably not even improved over last years team, and giving Garrett Temple a bound to be deadweight contract isnt too far from the nightmare scenario.

I'm really getting Demps flashbacks.

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Originally Posted by Fedupfan

It?s time we bow our heads and close our eyes.

Brother Mac, will you lead us in prayer for the Pelicans franchise. It has been a long enduring suffering and we desperately need to be ridden of this evil..

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The poor results will never end. But suffering is tied to expectations - which you have the power to control. Drastically lower them, and watch how quickly the suffering disappears

Garrison Mathews would make me happy at this point.

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Originally Posted by Pelifan

I'm all for preserving flexibility. But trading away 2 FRP, being debatably not even improved over last years team, and giving Garrett Temple a bound to be deadweight contract isnt too far from the nightmare scenario.

I'm really getting Demps flashbacks.

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I want to see more happen too, but to say we aren't improved over last season seems ridiculous to me. NAW clearly looked better than Bled and gets his minutes. Jonas clearly better than Adams. Graham looks at worst a lateral move vs. 2020-21 Lonzo. No washed up Redick to deal with. Young guys a year older, Murphy can shoot, we go into knowing what we have in Naji from the start. Our 3pt defense can't be worse than last year- I just can't imagine it! Health permitting, I have us as a 7 seed without much problem.

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Originally Posted by MichaelMcNamara

The poor results will never end. But suffering is tied to expectations - which you have the power to control. Drastically lower them, and watch how quickly the suffering disappears

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I'm all about low expectations.

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Originally Posted by donato

I want to see more happen too, but to say we aren't improved over last season seems ridiculous to me. NAW clearly looked better than Bled and gets his minutes. Jonas clearly better than Adams. Graham looks at worst a lateral move vs. 2020-21 Lonzo. Young guys a year older, Murphy can shoot, we go into knowing what we have in Naji from the start. Our 3pt defense can't be worse than last year. I just can't imagine it! Health permitting, I have us as a 7 seed without much problem.

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ARE improved and COULD BE improved are two different things.

Jonas is an improvement over Adams. You can say that with confidence because of long track records but you have zero ability to accurately project NAW, Kira, the rookies, Naji, Didi, etc. No idea whether Zion's healthy year will be the norm or his injured year. Will Ingram take a step up or has he hit his ceiling?

You can guess at all these things, and fans will always lean to the positive side. But there is no objective data that says we will know what half our roster will be. Really only one guy on the team who we KNOW what he will be next year. Everyone else has a pretty wide range of outcomes

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Originally Posted by MichaelMcNamara

ARE improved and COULD BE improved are two different things.

Jonas is an improvement over Adams. You can say that with confidence because of long track records but you have zero ability to accurately project NAW, Kira, the rookies, Naji, Didi, etc. No idea whether Zion's healthy year will be the norm or his injured year. Will Ingram take a step up or has he hit his ceiling?

You can guess at all these things, and fans will always lean to the positive side. But there is no objective data that says we will know what half our roster will be. Really only one guy on the team who we KNOW what he will be next year. Everyone else has a pretty wide range of outcomes

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I did say health permitting. And you are right. If I had to word it again, I'd say should be improved. And I say that confidently knowing what we know as opposed to could be improved. I also meant it in the context of knowing what we know today and basically rolling with that. True also re: fan/optimist perspective.

Yeah...I mean are you assuming improvement from the 100 or so other 2nd and 3rd year guys in the league?

Admittedly it is possible they all (or most) improve
But i can also see a very real world where this collection of guys wins 30-32 games. Nobody is really trying to lose any more besides maybe OKC and Houston. Maybe Orlando
Every night you are playing a team with a roster arguably as good or better