Pelicans finalizing trade for Asik

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Originally Posted by MichaelMcNamara

Its a good debate. I am starting to lean towards trading Ryno. Makes more sense for big picture. I just would ideally like for him to go East. I don't want him draining 8 threes on me 3-4 times a year and/or in the playoffs

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He may also just need a change of scenery.

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Originally Posted by PELICANSFAN

I have to disagree. Ryno is a valuable asset under a reasonable contract. He adds so much to the team that I would hate to lose him.

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Everybody would, but again if you have 6 guys under contract (AD, Jrue, Reke, AD, Asik, Ajinca), what is the better way to fill out the other spots:

1. Ryno, the room exception, and 4-6 min. salary guys

2. Rivers, Smith, Morrow,Babbitt, Withey, Player X, the 1st round pick, and a MLE guy

That is the real question

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Originally Posted by Spaniard

Calling it now, Jason Smith returns on one year deal after Ryno traded.

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If we shed some more salary could we not still get Blatche to backup AD?


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Originally Posted by PELICANSFAN

I have to disagree. Ryno is a valuable asset under a reasonable contract. He adds so much to the team that I would hate to lose him.

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Look, we all would take to trade Ryno. Dude is awesome. And I hate that Gordon's contract is handcuffing the team to have to make this choice, that's why I'd rather dump or stretch Gordon. But if we are unable to do that then you kind of have to move Ryno instead of gut the bench.

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Originally Posted by Heavy

It's amazing what kids retain. When my 6yr old son came down the stairs (dazed from just having woken up) this morning, i told him the Pels just landed Omar Asik. Without hesitation he said, "Is that #3 that does that awkward face expression before all his free throws?"

why, yes... yes he is that guy

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Your son is obviously brilliant. My son would probably give me Asik's XBox game rating. :D

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Originally Posted by MichaelMcNamara

Everybody would, but again if you have 6 guys under contract (AD, Jrue, Reke, AD, Asik, Ajinca), what is the better way to fill out the other spots:

1. Ryno, the room exception, and 4-6 min. salary guys

2. Rivers, Smith, Morrow,Babbitt, Withey, Player X, the 1st round pick, and a MLE guy

That is the real question

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Some of those in 2 could exist in 1 as well (Withey, and Babbit) and possibly Morrow if he took the room exception (not highly likely). So, if I had the choice of -

1. Ryno, the room exception, Babbitt, Withey, and 2-4 min. salary guys

2. Rivers, Smith, Morrow, Player X, the 1st round pick, and a MLE guy

I would choose #1.

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Originally Posted by Sleeper

If we shed some more salary could we not still get Blatche to backup AD?


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Blatche ain't coming here.

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Originally Posted by PELICANSFAN

Some of those in 2 could exist in 1 as well (Withey, and Babbit) and possibly Morrow if he took the room exception (not highly likely). So, if I had the choice of -

1. Ryno, the room exception, Babbitt, Withey, and 2-4 min. salary guys

2. Rivers, Smith, Morrow, Player X, the 1st round pick, and a MLE guy

I would choose #1.

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They actually can't. You could only choose one of the three (Ajinca, Withey, and Babbitt)

So, fine, choose 1 of those three - you would really choose route #1? I tend to disagree. Plus, option 2 could make you more flexible for Summer of 15

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Originally Posted by Mythrol

Look, we all would take to trade Ryno. Dude is awesome. And I hate that Gordon's contract is handcuffing the team to have to make this choice, that's why I'd rather dump or stretch Gordon. But if we are unable to do that then you kind of have to move Ryno instead of gut the bench.

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Why would we gut the bench? Having to trade Rivers? That would not be a huge loss. Trading Ryno guts the bench IMO.

When ESPN hates your trade you know that you are on to something great.

It will be Ryno, and while it will stink losing him, I believe that player X (if he has his head on strait) will be equally as effective as Ryno.

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Originally Posted by MichaelMcNamara

Everybody would, but again if you have 6 guys under contract (AD, Jrue, Reke, AD, Asik, Ajinca), what is the better way to fill out the other spots:

1. Ryno, the room exception, and 4-6 min. salary guys

2. Rivers, Smith, Morrow,Babbitt, Withey, Player X, the 1st round pick, and a MLE guy

That is the real question

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Why isn't the question Ryno vs. Rivers/Ely/Miller/Babbit Ryno will obviously return better assets in a trade than Rivers, but both packages let you keep your MLE and Bird Rights.

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Originally Posted by MichaelMcNamara

Everybody would, but again if you have 6 guys under contract (AD, Jrue, Reke, AD, Asik, Ajinca), what is the better way to fill out the other spots:

1. Ryno, the room exception, and 4-6 min. salary guys

2. Rivers, Smith, Morrow,Babbitt, Withey, Player X, the 1st round pick, and a MLE guy

That is the real question

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How about 3. Ryno, MLE, Bird rights guys, and minimum guys?

I really think we can have our cake and eat it too. A second unit of Roberts, Gordon, Aminu, Ryno, and Smith is not lacking depth.


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Let's assign players to the MLE, the room exception, and the draft pick.

I will say:

Room exception - Richard Jefferson
MLE - Jordan Hill
1st round pick - James Young

In option 1, you fill out roster with Ryno, Jefferson, Withey, and 3-5 minimum guys

In option 2, you fill out roster with Rivers, Player X, James Young, Withey, Morrow, Jordan Hill, and Babbitt

And yes, there are thousands of permutations of this, but it is an example.

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Originally Posted by greewe

How about 3. Ryno, MLE, Bird rights guys, and minimum guys?

I really think we can have our cake and eat it too. A second unit of Roberts, Gordon, Aminu, Ryno, and Smith is not lacking depth.


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That would be ideal, but very, very hard to pull off. If Dell can, awesome. But if it is down to option 1 vs. option 2, I choose 2 even though I am obviously a HUGE Ryno fan

what is to stop the Pelicans from adding some players now with non-guaranteed contracts and sending those guys in the trade? the issue isn't that we are over the cap its just that the numbers have to balance out correct?

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Originally Posted by BP225

Why isn't the question Ryno vs. Rivers/Ely/Miller/Babbit Ryno will obviously return better assets in a trade than Rivers, but both packages let you keep your MLE and Bird Rights.

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If that is on the table, it would be the better route. No evidence that it is. I though we were just discussing the rumored trade here verse a Rivers dump. But if we can find a way to move Rivers and somehow keep our MLE, then yes, I go that route

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Originally Posted by MichaelMcNamara

That would be ideal, but very, very hard to pull off. If Dell can, awesome. But if it is down to option 1 vs. option 2, I choose 2 even though I am obviously a HUGE Ryno fan

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% chance Boston accepts Rivers, Ajinca, and rights to Pierre (plus waivable guys) for top 55 protected pick if we offer?


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Ok, one thing we need to be honest about is, are we really going to lose Babbitt if we release him? I doubt it. If we want him he will still be available.

1 v 2 looks to me like Ryno vs Morrow + replacement level or worse poo poo platter of guys. Would rather Ryno. We've seen Dell find minimum salary guys before so I'd rather keep the better player

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Originally Posted by hornetsrebirth

what is to stop the Pelicans from adding some players now with non-guaranteed contracts and sending those guys in the trade? the issue isn't that we are over the cap its just that the numbers have to balance out correct?

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You would need 5.8 mil in NG contracts. We have less than 3 mil in NG contracts, so that route can't be done. Now, add Rivers to that and send him to another team and maybe Ajinca too and it starts getting possible. Would be a great route to go if possible.

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Originally Posted by MichaelMcNamara

Everybody would, but again if you have 6 guys under contract (AD, Jrue, Reke, AD, Asik, Ajinca), what is the better way to fill out the other spots:

1. Ryno, the room exception, and 4-6 min. salary guys

2. Rivers, Smith, Morrow,Babbitt, Withey, Player X, the 1st round pick, and a MLE guy

That is the real question

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Of course, the second option assumes Morrow could be retained. I think everyone would likely prefer the second one, but losing Ryno would be tough. I was hoping, if he had to be traded, that it would be for a pick in the top 10 to a team from the East (read: Boston in my fantasy world).

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Originally Posted by greewe

% chance Boston accepts Rivers, Ajinca, and rights to Pierre (plus waivable guys) for top 55 protected pick if we offer?


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I would say they would/should but can't know.

We can speculate on this for hours. I think it is a safer bet to just wait until tonight and hope we get an answer, THEN analyze everything.

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Originally Posted by MichaelMcNamara

Everybody would, but again if you have 6 guys under contract (AD, Jrue, Reke, AD, Asik, Ajinca), what is the better way to fill out the other spots:

1. Ryno, the room exception, and 4-6 min. salary guys

2. Rivers, Smith, Morrow,Babbitt, Withey, Player X, the 1st round pick, and a MLE guy

That is the real question

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In that case, I'd take #2. But why can't we wait until mid-season when Ryan's going off? Why does everything need to be done now?

My feeling is the following: this front office is making moves to save it's job, and it's hurting us. At this point, given all the trades, I'd rather keep the draft picks and have a much slower build. I'm excited about the team this year, but I can't help but think that in 2-3 years, we'll look back and say "why did we force it? we weren't championship contenders then"

Which brings me to this: does our front office think it can win a championship in the next 2 years?

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Originally Posted by hornetsrebirth

what is to stop the Pelicans from adding some players now with non-guaranteed contracts and sending those guys in the trade? the issue isn't that we are over the cap its just that the numbers have to balance out correct?

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Nah. Can't do that now. It had to be during the season.

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Originally Posted by MichaelMcNamara

I would say they would/should but can't know.

We can speculate on this for hours. I think it is a safer bet to just wait until tonight and hope we get an answer, THEN analyze everything.

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I know. I lack patience though.


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Ive been a football guy all my life....So I might need some help with this.....Whatever happened to building through the draft? True, I know, 2 picks a year and only a handful of those picks go on to have even decent careers...But look at what the Redskins used to do in Dan Snyder's beginning....Sign people like Deon Sanders...Players that are on the downside of their careers. While Asik is just 28, so reasonably young, and somewhat talented, aren't draft picks more valuable? If you eat all of your salary cap with one player, where else do you go? Sorry...This is just the NFL guy in me coming out...But I believe in player development (which is why Im not a Rivers fan, and while I like Aminu for his hustle and defense, that ship sailed too)...But at some point in time, don't you have to start with young players and develop them into your style of play?

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Originally Posted by Primetime

In that case, I'd take #2. But why can't we wait until mid-season when Ryan's going off? Why does everything need to be done now?

My feeling is the following: this front office is making moves to save it's job, and it's hurting us. At this point, given all the trades, I'd rather keep the draft picks and have a much slower build. I'm excited about the team this year, but I can't help but think that in 2-3 years, we'll look back and say "why did we force it? we weren't championship contenders then"

Which brings me to this: does our front office think it can win a championship in the next 2 years?

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Because we can't absorb Asik without shedding one of the 6 big contracts. Gordon, Ryno, or Rivers HAVE TO go before this trade can happen. Cant wait until February

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Originally Posted by greewe

I know. I lack patience though.


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I am right there with ya. Trying to think of a way to stay busy for next few hours. Don't wanna just sit at the computer all day. Might actually ask the wife for a HoneyDew list

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Originally Posted by MichaelMcNamara

Because we can't absorb Asik without shedding one of the 6 big contracts. Gordon, Ryno, or Rivers HAVE TO go before this trade can happen. Cant wait until February

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Sorry, I meant not making the Asik move and just waiting to see how this group would play out before moving any assets? I'm not sure I prefer a frontcourt of Asik & AD finishing games over AD & Ryno. Especially when I just saw the Spurs win a championship with one big and 4 shooters.

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Originally Posted by MichaelMcNamara

I am right there with ya. Trying to think of a way to stay busy for next few hours. Don't wanna just sit at the computer all day. Might actually ask the wife for a HoneyDew list

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USA Soccer

More dominos will fall in Asik-to-Pelicans deal. N.O. may move Austin Rivers to create cap space. One option: dad Doc owns trade exception

— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) June 26, 2014

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Originally Posted by MichaelMcNamara

They actually can't. You could only choose one of the three (Ajinca, Withey, and Babbitt)

So, fine, choose 1 of those three - you would really choose route #1? I tend to disagree. Plus, option 2 could make you more flexible for Summer of 15

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If we traded Rivers and Ely (non-guaranteed), we could still keep Ajinca, Withey and maybe even Babbit at a projected $63.2 million cap (unless that has changed). Babbit would make it close, although if we had to dump his as well, it would not be a deal killer IMO. The difference between a solid 15-20 point scorer off the bench and the Babbit's and Smith's of the world is enormous. Those guys can be replaced with fringe FAs. Players like Anderson are not as easily replaced IMO.

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Originally Posted by Primetime

In that case, I'd take #2. But why can't we wait until mid-season when Ryan's going off? Why does everything need to be done now?

My feeling is the following: this front office is making moves to save it's job, and it's hurting us. At this point, given all the trades, I'd rather keep the draft picks and have a much slower build. I'm excited about the team this year, but I can't help but think that in 2-3 years, we'll look back and say "why did we force it? we weren't championship contenders then"

Which brings me to this: does our front office think it can win a championship in the next 2 years?

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What about what we've done says we are forcing it? We traded the No. 6 pick in an awful draft and the no. 10 pick for an all-star point guard who is less than 1 month older than Lillard.

Then we trade a late 1st for a top defensive center and one of the best total rebounders in the league.

There is nothing forced about our trades. I see Dell being ahead of the curve and getting maximum value for assets that won't match what we got in return.

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Originally Posted by MichaelMcNamara

Gordon is the ideal. Stretching Gordon might be 2nd best scenario. There is no debate there.

The debate comes down to Ryno route vs. Rivers route. Ryno route gives you very little flexibility to add depth to roster and even a starting SF. Rivers route forces you to lose Ryno but gives you ability to make roster super deep and even tackle 2015 FA class super hard.

Its a good debate. I am starting to lean towards trading Ryno. Makes more sense for big picture. I just would ideally like for him to go East. I don't want him draining 8 threes on me 3-4 times a year and/or in the playoffs

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Would Sac be interested in Ryno and PJ for 8? Then we fill that role with Dougie Mcbuckets at a cheaper rate.

Also, MM, answer this real quick. Was Asik's total contract against Houston's cap before trading? its just if he's traded it doesn't count against the whole cap?

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Originally Posted by jhow0036

More dominos will fall in Asik-to-Pelicans deal. N.O. may move Austin Rivers to create cap space. One option: dad Doc owns trade exception

— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) June 26, 2014

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I can't see us just giving away Rivers for nothing.

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Originally Posted by MichaelMcNamara

I am right there with ya. Trying to think of a way to stay busy for next few hours. Don't wanna just sit at the computer all day. Might actually ask the wife for a HoneyDew list

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Um. Find a local watering hole and put on the stars and stripes and take in some World Cup Soccer this morning.

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Originally Posted by NOSportsFan

Ive been a football guy all my life....So I might need some help with this.....Whatever happened to building through the draft? True, I know, 2 picks a year and only a handful of those picks go on to have even decent careers...But look at what the Redskins used to do in Dan Snyder's beginning....Sign people like Deon Sanders...Players that are on the downside of their careers. While Asik is just 28, so reasonably young, and somewhat talented, aren't draft picks more valuable? If you eat all of your salary cap with one player, where else do you go? Sorry...This is just the NFL guy in me coming out...But I believe in player development (which is why Im not a Rivers fan, and while I like Aminu for his hustle and defense, that ship sailed too)...But at some point in time, don't you have to start with young players and develop them into your style of play?

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There's a disconnect in draft value between the NBA and the NFL. In the NFL, even the last 1st rounder has a good chance of being a starter. In the NBA, once you get to pick 5, your chances of hitting a quality starter isn't all that great.

My issue with all this is that this will be 3 years in a row without a 1st rounder. Your chances of hitting one one of those guys is pretty good. I'm not a fan of making moves with 'this year' in mind. At this point, I'm not sure we wouldn't be better off with Vasquez, Lopez, 3 1st round draft picks and whatever $$$ was left over. My personal wish is that we would have just made the Jrue trade and not forced the issue.

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Originally Posted by PELICANSFAN

If we traded Rivers and Ely (non-guaranteed), we could still keep Ajinca, Withey and maybe even Babbit at a projected $63.2 million cap (unless that has changed). Babbit would make it close, although if we had to dump his as well, it would not be a deal killer IMO. The difference between a solid 15-20 point scorer off the bench and the Babbit's and Smith's of the world is enormous. Those guys can be replaced with fringe FAs. Players like Anderson are not as easily replaced IMO.

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If Babbitt can give me 70% of Ryno, then its that remaining 30% vs player X, the pick, Morrow, and the MLE guy the way I see it. Again, if we can make the Rivers trade work as a three way and we can keep the MLE and the BAE, and our Bird Rights to guys, Withey, etc. that is the slam dunk move

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Originally Posted by MichaelMcNamara

If Babbitt can give me 70% of Ryno, then its that remaining 30% vs player X, the pick, Morrow, and the MLE guy the way I see it. Again, if we can make the Rivers trade work as a three way and we can keep the MLE and the BAE, and our Bird Rights to guys, Withey, etc. that is the slam dunk move

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June 26, 2014 Updates

Brian Windhorst: More dominos will fall in Asik-to-Pelicans deal. N.O. may move Austin Rivers to create cap space. One option: dad Doc owns trade exception Twitter @WindhorstESPN
- See more at: http://hoopshype.com/rumors/tag/new_....CMXM9qfJ.dpuf

If we move Rivers, are we saying that Dell/Monty are comfortable with Roberts and Jackson as our options at backup PG?

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Originally Posted by MichaelMcNamara

I am right there with ya. Trying to think of a way to stay busy for next few hours. Don't wanna just sit at the computer all day. Might actually ask the wife for a HoneyDew list

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ummmm, would you like mine? It can be had for an expiring!

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Originally Posted by MichaelMcNamara

If Babbitt can give me 70% of Ryno, then its that remaining 30% vs player X, the pick, Morrow, and the MLE guy the way I see it. Again, if we can make the Rivers trade work as a three way and we can keep the MLE and the BAE, and our Bird Rights to guys, Withey, etc. that is the slam dunk move

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I cannot see Babbit giving you 50% of what Anderson gives you. Babbit is not a 12-16 point guy with 5-6 rpg. Nor is he anywhere near as clutch as Anderson. I don't see there even being a comparison between the two. We would not lose our bird rights to guys by keeping Anderson (other than maybe Morrow in your example IF we would even decide to keep him). In the scenario presented, I see keeping Anderson as a slam dunk move. If the scenario were changed, maybe it would be different.

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Originally Posted by jhow0036

More dominos will fall in Asik-to-Pelicans deal. N.O. may move Austin Rivers to create cap space. One option: dad Doc owns trade exception

— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) June 26, 2014

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I hope it's Gordon and not Austin. At least Rivers wants to be here!

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Originally Posted by RaisingTheBar

June 26, 2014 Updates

Brian Windhorst: More dominos will fall in Asik-to-Pelicans deal. N.O. may move Austin Rivers to create cap space. One option: dad Doc owns trade exception Twitter @WindhorstESPN
- See more at: http://hoopshype.com/rumors/tag/new_....CMXM9qfJ.dpuf

If we move Rivers, are we saying that Dell/Monty are comfortable with Roberts and Jackson as our options at backup PG?

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That or...maybe another move that acquires a mid-round pick and we take Elfrid Payton...

Trading Rivers would be stupid. It leaves us with no flexibility to add a sf. Gordon has to be the move. I'm sure Demps already has a deal lined up for Gordon.

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Originally Posted by Mythrol

What about what we've done says we are forcing it? We traded the No. 6 pick in an awful draft and the no. 10 pick for an all-star point guard who is less than 1 month older than Lillard.

Then we trade a late 1st for a top defensive center and one of the best total rebounders in the league.

There is nothing forced about our trades. I see Dell being ahead of the curve and getting maximum value for assets that won't match what we got in return.

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I like the Jrue trade. Hate the Tyreke and Asik trades.

And if it was top 10 protected, I'd love the Asik trade. But you're gambling with this move. If something goes haywire, we just let go of a top 10 selection. You can't discount the possiblity of us sucking. We just sucked for the majority of the past year. I'd say there's a 20% we have a top ten pick next season. I just don't think that's worth it. I think waiting is the better option.

These are clearly 'win now' moves -- we've brought on guys with NBA experience, but also NBA experience contracts, as opposed to bringing in rookies. What this all means is that in the event this 'build' doesn't work, we're left with no flexibility, and that's the crux of my issue. Flexibility is vital and now we have no flexibility and no guys on rookie contracts except for our superstar who in a few years may look at this and say "WTF, I have nothing around me." -- yes, we're still young, but none of these young guys have superstar potential. Jrue, Asik, Tyreke and are all good basketball players who will probably never see the All-Star game as Pelicans.

What will have to happen for you guys to say that building a team this way is not worth it? If we don't get to the 2nd round of the playoffs in the next few years, will y'all say this was stupid? Will that make it worth it? Cause the way this team's conceived, it can't contend right now -- and we just moved our pieces for the future to play for the present.

Again, we ALL hope it is Gordon. If that was an option, I think it would be done.

It likely comes down to Rivers vs. Ryno. Lets just see how it plays out and grade everything at that point

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Originally Posted by MichaelMcNamara

Again, if we can make the Rivers trade work as a three way and we can keep the MLE and the BAE, and our Bird Rights to guys, Withey, etc. that is the slam dunk move

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I didn't want to overlook this comment. If that was how this would play out, I would lose my mind. I would almost just ask Boston to absorb them to just make it work. I hate that Gordon's contract makes us have to just give Rivers away but I'd rather give Rivers away and keep Ryno and our MLE and all the other stuff.

Let Gordon be gone off this damn team

The day i have to be away without internet for nearly all morning and afternoon, and it's a pandemonium everywhere. Timing is definitely not my forte.

Thank you to whoever blamed me for spreading the rumor to TigerDroppings. I don't even have an account on that craphole site. Appreciate it a lot fellas.