What’s the point ? :hihi:
Printable View
Point Zion is fine, but for it to work properly he will either need more to his game (baseline jumper he showed and a floater will help), or he will need a deadeye shooter or two (serviceable ones at least). Officials also need to quit making excuses as he is getting hacked nightly. The reality is Zion is a matchup nightmare with playmaking ability, so we improve the balance on the floor then we will be able to take advantage. One person hacking at Zion won?t be much of a problem. We allow them to collapse the floor on him and that is the problem.
The offseason I would want to see:
Sign and trade Lonzo, Bledsoe, a Laker, and a Bucks 1st rounder for Kyle Lowry & OG Onunoby if the price is right & if you are able to do that. Can u sign & trade multiple players & have multiple included in the trade?? I know Lowry is up in age, so hopefully you can get him on a cheap 3 year deal with that last year a team option. But the main guy is OG. Dude has a ton of potential and will help on defense for sure. Toronto will likely do a rebuild to an extent as well.
Sign Justice Winslow if he?s cheap. I like his versatility to play all positions except center. I would like to resign Hart, but don?t think that will happen. We need to get rid of SVG ASAP cause it sounds like guys don?t want to play for him. Hopefully he gets us to the playoffs and we go in a different direction the following year. He shouldn?t be too expensive due to his injuries. But he?s a low risk, high reward if you get him on a great deal.
Resign James Johnson & Willy Hernangomez for the bench if cheap enough
Draft Corey Kispert. I really liked him all year, but then he disappeared in the tournament. But it really didn?t seem
They ran plays for him to get open shots. A lot of his 3s in the tournament were shots he had to create. He?s likely the best shooter in the draft. Just watching the Heat game earlier when Robinson drills 3 3s to start the game and ends up hitting 7 total, I was like we need that. You need shooters in this league and we currently don?t have much there. I wish we could in the top 5, but don?t see that happening. But if someone like Moody is there I jump on him. We need a shooting guard with our pick if we keep it.
C: Adams, Jaxson, Willy
PF: Zion, James Johnson
SF: OG, Winslow
SG: BI, Kispert
PG: Lowry, NAW, Lewis
Love the lineup combinations with this team.
I too would like to acquire 2 all-star value players for scraps on cheap deals.
I vacillate back and forth about this move, but I think in the end, I would love to take on DeMarcus Cousins on the cheap. If Aaron Nelson could keep him healthy, and he would not disrupt the locker room, he could be a perfect conduit to a 'seasoned' JAXSON in a couple of years. First and foremost, he plays with an edge. I think this team is way too docile and needs a little bit of an 'attitude' adjustment if it want to compete for championships. Second, he can stretch the floor much better than any other big man on the roster right now. Third, he can rebound with the best of them. Fourth, he is somewhat local (Mobile. AL).
Now, I do realize he's only been in 71 games since he blew out his Achilles in New Orleans in 2018. But then again, he'll only be 31 years old next fall and we do have Nelson.
(Of course, if Adams stays on the roster, this post is moot)
Maybe Bledsoe and our Number One for Ricky Rubio and Jarrett Culver?
We knew this... right?
Quote:
Report: Pelicans Players Aren't 'Vibing' with Stan Van Gundy; 'There's Issues There'
The relationship between New Orleans Pelicans head coach Stan Van Gundy and the rest of the team reportedly isn't ideal after a disappointing 31-41 season.
Sam Amick of The Athletic reported on KHTK radio (via Scott Kushner of NOLA.com) there was tension between Gundy and his players during the season.
"In New Orleans, the players are not vibing with the coach," Amick said. "There's issues there."
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/...s-issues-there
With that crazy Jazz game 1, if he demands a trade what would you give up for Donovan Mitchell??
Yeah he is a FA coming up , perhaps we give him a look
https://www.spotrac.com/nba/phoenix-...n-payne-17842/
Isn't Collin Sexton's contract up next year when he will be a RFA? Has he voiced an affinity to "re-up" with Cleveland? If not, would he consider signing an extension this summer for a sign and trade with Pelicans for Lonzo? If he would, I'd make that trade yesterday. That would give Sexton the ability part of a "Big Three" (Zion, Ingram, and Sexton) and some very promising secondary players (JAXSON, NAW, Marshall, and maybe Kira).
Next, I would try to sign and trade Hart for a competent PG (maybe Ricky Rubio or Kendrick Dunn).
Then, and only then, I would look to Corey Kispert and hope for "Joe Harris Jr". (Trading the pick might still be the better step forward).
Then, I would look to move Bledsoe and Adams at midyear.
2021 TEAM (to start season)
PG: Rubio, Bledsoe, Kira
SG: Sexton, NAW
SF: BI, Kispert, Marshall
PF: Zion, Gabriel
C: Adams, JAXSON, H'Gomez
I thought we was over this attraction with Journeyman Rubio. He regressed last year anyways. I do not see him as championship caliber player or a reliable 6th man. Incredibly inefficient shooter. He's a bench piece at best.
That team would be worse shooting the three, than our current squad.
You can swap Bledsoe and a few 2nds for Rubio and gain far more than you lose. If thats your ONLY offseason move, there is nothing to be excited about, but it wouldnt be. The key, if you do this, would be to find something of quality to get out of Adams and picks. Also, sign and trade Lonzo for a guy who can shoot, and getting internal improvement from NAW, Naji, and Kira.
They better give us a first (or more) to take on Kennard. He would make some sense. Seth Curry, when Philly loses because of lack of size at the point, could make sense. A swap for Duncan Robinson could make sense if Heat would rather get something than possibly lose him for nothing. Markennen is still an option if Chicago is more willing to add a pick this offseason. Minny likes Lonzo and Malik Beasley can work
Man... This off season looks grim. I can see this team being really bad if players don't make an impactful leap or stay in their inconsistent ways. I really just don't have a good feeling for success.
Offseason hasnt even happened yet and it looks grim??
Adding guys makes fans feel better on paper, but almost all teams make leaps because of internal growth. Mavs didnt grow into a playoff team and then a 5 seed who is up 2-0 because of all these awesome moves and players they added. Luka got better. They got guys who were marginally better as fits. Made moves around the edges, developed continuity with Finney Smith and Kleber and Hardaway, etc. Learned how to play together. Nuggets, same thing, as they early 20s guys got better every year and 2nd round picks and throw ins in trades became welcome surprises.
If this team is going to be better, it will because Zion and Ingram get better, NAW and Hayes live up to potential, and the team gets a better fitting roster around the main guys. Not because we put together the best looking roster 2K style. And then, with those better fits and internal improvement, they simply close out those dozen or so games they blew, instead of fumbling them all away. Its not about adding the best names or even the best possible players. Its about adding better fitting ones while getting better internally and executing at even an average level down the stretch of games.
I’m on board the Campaign for Cam Payne bus.
Make it happen Loomis.
Make it happen
Don't mind me, just day dreaming pic.twitter.com/xGEq7u13Vy
— Shamit Dua (@FearTheBrown) May 28, 2021
I like it. I posted something similar for SGA a couple weeks ago. Maybe not realistic at the moment, but it’s intriguing.
Here's one to chew on courtesy of the Bleacher Report....
New Orleans Pelicans receive: Karl-Anthony Towns and D'Angelo Russell
Minnesota Timberwolves receive: Brandon Ingram, Steven Adams, Jaxson Hayes, 2021 first-round pick (top-three protected) and 2024 or 2025 first-round pick (via LAL)
I'd do it in a heartbeat, but would T'Wolves?
````
My Take....
Depth Chart
PG: D'Angelo; Kira;
SG: NAW; JHart (re-sign); DiDi
SF: Fournier (Sign and Trade for Lonzo); Marshall
PF: Zion; Gabriel
C: KAT; H'Gomez (re-sign)
Off Load Bledsoe for best available offer (preferably size....PF)
So I'll put you down as a no.
The more I think about it, you are probably right. After all BI and JAXSON, as we all know, are defensive juggernauts and KAT and Russell are merely All Stars who have averaged over 20 and just under 20 respectively. And KAT has never averaged less than double digit rebounds. That's not the kind of talent we should surround Zion with. Not at all.
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/...ver-thought-of
My overall thinking on this offseason is that I would surround Zion and Ingram with 14 guys who are hungry, try-hards, overlooked, told they were busts/disappointments, over the hill, etc.
We have some hungry guys already. Guys dying for minutes to prove themselves - Kira, Jaxson, NAW, Didi, and Marshall. Hart is always hungry, I bring him back. I move Bledsoe and 10, but not to get a great player. Instead, I trade back with New York as they look to jump up to grab a core piece. In return, I get 19, 21, and Mavs 2023 pick. I trade 19 to another team for a far out future first, top 10 protected. And at 21, I grab Chris Duarte. I take Jeremiah Robinson-Earl with the Cavs pick and I trade the other 2nds for future 2nds. Basically, I increased my future assets for a future trade, got off Bledsoe, and got two upperclassmen who can be rotation players on their rookie contract.
I sign and trade Adams (reunites with Donovan, brings defense and culture to a team who needs it) and Iwundu for Aminu and T. Satoransky. I sign and trade Lonzo for Kennard and the Clips 2028 1st. Re-sign Willy, sign G. Dieng, and Trey Lyles
Roster:
Satoransky/Kira/Naji
NAW/Kennard/Didi/Duarte
Ingram/Hart
Zion/Aminu/Lyles/J Rob-Earl
Dieng/Hayes/Willy
Is that exciting? Nope. Full of top tier players? Nope. But go ahead and scan that roster and tell me who wont play hard around Zion and Ingram every night. Find me the guy who wont be dying to get more minutes, competing every day to be in that rotation. Show me a guy who thinks he is too good to do the dirty work and sacrifice. Basically, you do what the Grizz and Knicks did, but with better top two talent on the roster. And I also have added 3 future first rounders in the process, as the Pels would have all their picks, 2 Lakers picks, 2 Bucks, 1 Mavs, 1 Clippers, and 1 other future pick from whoever traded for 19. Plus a ton of swap rights and 2nd rounders too. Now, when the right guy comes up, I have even more ammo to go get him. Or I can go get two really great guys. Or, maybe just marginal upgrades because so many of my young guys are blossoming, that all I have to do is trade Aminu and a first for a good shooter this year. And then maybe Kennard and two firsts for a really good starter a year later.
Point is that I think Griff has failed because he went and got guys who have already tasted success and got big contracts as a result (Favors, JJ, Adams, Bledsoe). What chips did they have on their shoulder? When had they been humbled and benched like Kennard has? When were they just given up on like Aminu has been post injury? When were they called busts like Lyles? Dont go out and get more guys who have been paid and told they are good. Go get guys with chips on their shoulder and/or who have been overlooked like Willy was when we got him for a partially guaranteed minimum and he played as hard as anybody last year.
Go get all those types and lets Zion and Ingram get you buckets while everyone around them is dying to make stops, get lose balls, set screens, crash the boards, etc. And then, have tons of assets to upgrade for more talented versions of those guys. Not divas. Hungry talented guys. Thats the formula IMO
I wouldn’t mind a diva...who antagonizing the other team more than his own teammates and coaches. Or if he does, it’s in that Michael Jordan, Draymond Green, Chris Paul, I will beat on you until become better sort of way.
But they have to actually be good to be worth it. So yeah. Grit and grind would work well in NOLA.
...now I want grits.
Curious, flop Zion and Ingram with Ja and JJJ (who barely played this year)....what do you guys think the Grizz record would have been?
I fully endorse this plan but that?s a huge overpay by the Knicks to move up 9 spots. Especially considering they probably have real plans with that cap space. Okc and Houston come to mind as other teams that could be interested in a trade up while taking on Bledsoe though. I don?t know Atlanta?s cap situation with Collins but I could see them being interested as well.
On the outside looking in. I guarantee that Point Zion wouldn't get the same results as Point Ja. Ja makes everybody better than they are....Point Zion makes everybody (including Ingram) spectators like you and me. Point Zion (individually) is a lethal threat at only one level...Point Ja is an above average threat at all three. Neither Point Zion nor BI are 50% of the defenders that Ja and JJJ are.
Tough to say considering that it's hard to accurately predict how they fit with the rest of the team, but I'd certainly think they would be better especially considering that Jonas Valančiūnas and Dillon Brooks are better than Adams and Bledsoe. They also have other solid veteran role players while most of the role players on the Pelicans this year are inexperienced.
I would guess about 42-30, which is about 4 games better than Memphis was this year.
Most Memphis fans would trade Ja and JJJ for Zion and Ingram I'd say 8/10. They especially have not had an answer for Ingram who kills Dillon Brooks, a very good defender, almost every time.
However, I think Griff needs to do exactly what he said. Don't overreact, let the young guys to keep improving (and that includes Zion and Ingram), and just add some complimentary pieces. I'm pretty sure you can sign-and-trade Lonzo to the Knicks. Use some of their draft capital to get a good vet, or add more draft capital in future years.
The strategy takes time but it works. I don't think anyone in their right minds would rather have Brandon Clarke over Jaxson Hayes anymore. And you also keep drafting that way.
And thats my point. You dont need to go out and get a bunch of names. Give up assets for guys with great stats. Just go get a bunch or guys who put ego aside and do whatever to win. Put your young guys in position to grow and let Ingram and Zion go nuts with the usage. That team should be able to take the next step to 45 wins. THEN you go get some real talent
Couldn’t agree more with that. Do your due diligence and search for the star player if available, but don’t go overboard and sacrifice your assets just to attempt to appease Zion. We moved picks like candy for several underwhelming pieces in the past. I think it’s time we package them together for something game changing or let the future play out. There is always the possibility we hit on another Naji or find a decent short term fit in FA this summer as well. We can’t afford to keep jumping the gun
And I agree with Mac that having energy guys around Ingram and Zion may be the ticket. We don’t lose to bad teams because they are better. We get horribly outworked on many of those nights. Spacing is a big issue, but the difference in effort is often substantial. We have some players that are quite frankly- not up for it. It’s why we often fare better against the top sides.
My biggest concern is that Griff becomes obsessed with finding a top 40/50-ish player and as he continues to get 'no's' he keeps lowering his bar on what is acceptable. I am fairly confident that Sabonis and Beal are the top targets. But I also dont believe players of that caliber will be offered up this summer. Even a guy like Jerami Grant is unlikely to be moved. So, does Griff just accept that and wait or does he take a guy he can get like a Larry Nance or a Marcus Smart and overpay for them like he did Adams? My bet is that he does that over just drafting BPA at 10 and staying patient and letting the value come to him
2017, Sac trades 10 to portland for 15 and 20 and most pundits considered this an 11 player draft.
You're asking for 19, 21, a future first and for them to take bledsoe, which is probably worth a another first rounder. and as far as I can see most draft analysts dont have a consensus tier after the top 4 or 5
Historically thats too much. of course there are always exceptions, Justise Winslow would have went for this in his draft. But barring for something crazy that's probably an asset too much from the Knicks.
I know what Dallas offered to move up from 19 to 11 last year and its about what I am saying here. And yes, it was because they were in love. I admit, it would require the Knicks to be in love. Or, I can construct a similar deal with Houston. Or OKC falls in love. Admittedly, this trade would seem more fair if it was the 8th pick than the 10th, but thems the breaks
I like the idea of the trade with the Knicks. If I’m using tankathon, at 19 and 21 I’d take Springer and Kai Jones. Keep building through the draft and grab high upside players. I’d sign them to 2-way deals if possible and have them do the G-league like Naji or send them overseas. Worst case they don’t do anything but they could be the cheap bench players we need. Trade all the seconds and sign and trade Lonzo for whatever but I’m drafting 2 players to keep the building going. I’m saying this because I don’t think any players we want will be available.
I just think until we can get to the playoffs, we should keep building though the draft. If we are doing good, then for the trade deadline start using those accumulated assets. Until then follow what the Grizzlies are doing
I don't think we need to do a lot.
1. Trade Bledsoe for (?) a decent guard -he can play but he doesn't seem to be a good fit in NOLA and would be happier somewhere else.
2. Pay Lonzo and Hart (within reason) - Lonzo wants to play in NOLA and has shown ability to work hard and improve his game - and if it doesn't work out he is tradeable down the line (so no need to freak out).
3. Keep J Johnson
4. Draft Kispert (or package pick with Bledsoe)
5. Player development
Lonzo/ NAW / Kira
? / Kispert / Hart
BI / Naji
Zion / JJ
Adams/Hayes/Billy
We probably will start Adams next year but I think it would be a big mistake. To be honest his contract is a mistake and starting and playing him due to it even worsens it. He simply isn't a good fit for a team who's reliant on some big arse 'point-forwards' constantly driving to the rack.