Which of our current players will be on the opening game roster next season?

Of the players currently under contract, which of those guys (FA or not) do you expect to remain with the team?

My answer would be:
Greivis Vasquez
Austin Rivers
Eric Gordon
Darius Miller
Anthony Davis
Ryan Anderson
Lance Thomas
Robin Lopez
Jason Smith

Everyone under contract is staying, I think. I don't expect any offseason trades or big moves in FA.

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Originally Posted by Inner_GI

Everyone under contract is staying, I think. I don't expect any offseason trades or big moves in FA.

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no offense, but I really hope you are wrong....

here is who I WANT to be on our roster:
Davis
Davis
Davis
Davis
Davis
A. Davis
Davis

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Originally Posted by ramsters60

no offense, but I really hope you are wrong....

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Me too. :hihi: I just think Dell and Monty are looking to build culture here, and I think they will be stubborn/selective in who they bring in, and I don't see very many "ideal" fits out in FA.

I think there are two groups, the one that I am almost certain will be there next year, and the ones where some of them will be there bit not others.

Almost certain
Austin Rivers
Anthony Davis
Ryan Anderson
Lance Thomas

Could be there
Greivis Vasquez
Eric Gordon
Robin Lopez
Jason smith

Perhaps more interesting is who would be in the starting five next year, and to be honest, other than Anthony Davis I am not sure if any of them will be in the team and starting next year.

Don't worry Dell will use that cap space

Only people i want on this team next year is Anthony Davis, Austin Rivers and Ryan anderson, the rest can be traded :)

assuming Gordon isn't cleared to play back to backs the rest of the season, he can still end up playing in more than half our games this season with no other setbacks. If he can manage to stay healthy the rest of the year and continue to get that explosiveness back i'd love to see him back here.

interesting that nobody thinks Aminu will be back. obviously the draft will play a key role in his return or not (if we go PG or SF)

Rivers
Davis
Anderson
Gordon
Miller
Smith
Aminu

These guys are who I'm rolling with and for some crazy reason I think we might just might see Roberts here next year again. Idk but I think Monty has a thing for him. I think Vasquez and Lopez get traded for 1 key piece and we draft sf to go with aminu. I don't think aminu has a problem splitting starter min with another guy or even taking bench minutes. He seems pretty humble .

My guess is

Davis
Rivers
Anderson
Miller
Thomas
Smith
Lopez
Gordon

Need to be there:
Davis
Anderson
Lopez
Gordon
Miller
Vasquez
Smith

Should be there:
Aminu
Rivers (Expendable)
Amundson

I don't see any reason for Thomas, Henry, Roberts to be there. And Rivers, Vasquez, Miller, and Gordon could all be trade material if the right offers come along.

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Originally Posted by TBlaze

Need to be there:
Davis
Anderson
Lopez
Gordon
Miller
Vasquez
Smith

Should be there:
Aminu
Rivers (Expendable)
Amundson

I don't see any reason for Thomas, Henry, Roberts to be there. And Rivers, Vasquez, Miller, and Gordon could all be trade material if the right offers come along.

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Youre joking about Amundson righT?

Opening day roster

Vasquez -may not be on team after trade deadline
Gordon -may not be on team after trade deadline
Davis
Anderson
Lopez -may not be on team after trade deadline
Rivers
Smith
Roberts -may not be on team after trade deadline

Id rather save the cap for next year, tank one more year for either andrew wiggins or Jabari Parker and we'd have a bright future for the next decade

The only free agents that I am interested in next season are PG’s, as the two quality guy’s in this year’s draft (Smart & Burke) will be taken and after that PG is pretty thin IMO.
I can’t imagine landing CP3, Jennings or Teague so I’m sticking with Vasquez and Rivers for now.

I also don’t think we target a Center as this will be where Davis will play in 2-3 years, plus we would have to overpay Jefferson or Pek to get them, not to mention they would be looking for a 3-4 year deal.
Lopez and Smith will suffice for now.

I believe SG will be the position which will be addressed in the draft and there are a number of quality kids we will have a chance at, especially if we go with the BPA – McLemore, Muhammad & Oladipo.
Any of these guy’s will be serviceable back up players to EG for their first year.

SF could also be addressed in the draft but I think we need an impact player NOW but feel we won’t get this from a rookie if we miss out on Porter.
We need someone who will start from game one.
Unless we get lucky and land a top 5 pick I can’t see the Pelicans getting a starting SF from a rookie.
This is why I think we will re-sign Aminu as back up SF and sign a player like Budinger who can shoot lights out.
He will spread the floor with the first unit, something that Aminu lacks.

So here is my very conservative team to start the season:

Vasquez/Rivers
Gordon/Muhammad or Oladipo
Budinger/Aminu/Miller
Davis/Anderson/Thomas
Lopez/Smith

I still think both Lopez and Vasquez could be traded on draft night or definitely by the trade deadline next season.
I also think this could be the case for Gordon depending on how the 2013 Rookie pans out.

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Originally Posted by MMEmbreno

Id rather save the cap for next year, tank one more year for either andrew wiggins or Jabari Parker and we'd have a bright future for the next decade

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IT's already started. THe perpetual lets tank for talent, but forget about everything else that it takes to become successful like, WINNING. Geez people here have a hard on for draft picks. I like Ws...

WHO I SEE:
Greivis Vasquez
Austin Rivers
Eric Gordon
Darius Miller
Anthony Davis
Ryan Anderson
*Lance Thomas
Robin Lopez
Jason Smith
*Louis Amundson
Al Foruoq Aminu
*Brian Roberts
* indicates players 13, 14, 15 or reserves that do not dress unless of injury

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Originally Posted by MMEmbreno

Id rather save the cap for next year, tank one more year for either andrew wiggins or Jabari Parker and we'd have a bright future for the next decade

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I don't think I can watch or follow another season of tanking, especially with the new re-brand to the Pels next season.

I'd like to take a look at Austin Daye. He's developed nicely and could be ready for a break out.

Davis
Rivers
Anderson
Miller
Thomas (should not be on this year team)
Smith
Lopez (Hell to the no)
Gordon (Hope we Trade him for a Better Big man.)
Amundson (maybe)

Thomas will stick around I think. He's the type of guy a coach wants on his team, and he's the type of guy you want to surround your team with. Not that he'll get minutes, but he's a 11th or 12th man.

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Originally Posted by AD23forMVP

Thomas will stick around I think. He's the type of guy a coach wants on his team, and he's the type of guy you want to surround your team with. Not that he'll get minutes, but he's a 11th or 12th man.

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exactly. took the words right out of my mouth

Our big men situation is interesting, because next year you have to assume both Anderson & Davis will demand 30+ minutes a game so Robin fits a mold of a guy who's serviceable but isn't going to play late in games. We want an upgrade there and Robin could be a valuable trade chip but not many guys will be satisfied with a limited role if you look for a talent upgrade.

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Originally Posted by AD23forMVP

Thomas will stick around I think. He's the type of guy a coach wants on his team, and he's the type of guy you want to surround your team with. Not that he'll get minutes, but he's a 11th or 12th man.

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Yeah I've been impressed when he comes in to play the 5. Not an easy position to play when you're undersized like that but he's held his own.

Most of Demps' moves have seemingly come out of nowhere in the past, so I'm not even going to venture a guess other than I think a lot of you are mistaken to not expect Brian Roberts back, he's this year's Lance Thomas. I also think Lopez is the most likely player under contract to go. In Demps' latest chalk talk when talking about how Lopez has exceeded expectations, the role he saw Lopez filling was really the role previously filled by Gray/Mbenga. I think Demps cashes in Lopez and picks up a cheaper guy with talent more appropriate to the role he originally envisioned. Part of Lopez' minutes have come at the expense of Davis and Anderson playing together, but hopefully Monty will feel less of a need to protect AD next year.

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Originally Posted by AD23nEG10

Our big men situation is interesting, because next year you have to assume both Anderson & Davis will demand 30+ minutes a game so Robin fits a mold of a guy who's serviceable but isn't going to play late in games. We want an upgrade there and Robin could be a valuable trade chip but not many guys will be satisfied with a limited role if you look for a talent upgrade.

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I could see Robin sticking around as the starting C, but only getting say 18-20 minutes a night. So my question remains, is that enough for someone getting paid 5M and is a poor rebounder? That will always be my biggest complaint, he's a terrible defensive rebounder.

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Originally Posted by BP225

Most of Demps' moves have seemingly come out of nowhere in the past, so I'm not even going to venture a guess other than I think a lot of you are mistaken to not expect Brian Roberts back, he's this year's Lance Thomas. I also think Lopez is the most likely player under contract to go. In Demps' latest chalk talk when talking about how Lopez has exceeded expectations, the role he saw Lopez filling was really the role previously filled by Gray/Mbenga. I think Demps cashes in Lopez and picks up a cheaper guy with talent more appropriate to the role he originally envisioned. Part of Lopez' minutes have come at the expense of Davis and Anderson playing together, but hopefully Monty will feel less of a need to protect AD next year.

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I agree with the Lopez cash in as well. Sell hot. Cheap contract and a big guy that can offensive rebound is a commodity teams are looking for. I just hope that Dell can find a good trade that will benefit us and Lopez because he's earned it.

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Originally Posted by AD23forMVP

I could see Robin sticking around as the starting C, but only getting say 18-20 minutes a night. So my question remains, is that enough for someone getting paid 5M and is a poor rebounder? That will always be my biggest complaint, he's a terrible defensive rebounder.

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Sounds like fair compensation and expectations to me. A backup playing backup minutes at a backup level for a backup big man salary.

E: backup backup backup! Backup? Backup.

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Davis
Rivers
Anderson

The rest are not certain.

I dont MIND keepin Lace Thomas as a bench player. Not sayin he irreplacable, but givin our situation..... guess im a sucker for players who hustle and try really really hard.

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Originally Posted by DiMaggio dunks

Davis
Rivers
Anderson

The rest are not certain.

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Rivers will be here. The FO has said they are developing rivers for what he might bring in 2 years. It's slow and painful, but they are invested into seeing the outcome. Plus, Doc, would eat Dell and Monty alive if they traded his son after being such good friends.

Austin Rivers
Eric Gordon
Darius Miller
Anthony Davis
Ryan Anderson

I hope these players workout, and if they can upgrade the rest or bring them off the bench.

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Originally Posted by smcgull

Austin Rivers
Eric Gordon
Darius Miller
Anthony Davis
Ryan Anderson

I hope these players workout, and if they can upgrade the rest or bring them off the bench.

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I'll take that list and add Aminu/Lopez. I don't see getting rid of either of those b/c Lopez's contract is amazing for a starting C and Aminu shouldn't be too highly priced on the market and is beginning to fit in nicely with this squad. I don't think we should just let him walk for nothing without any MAJOR upgrades on the FA market. I would love him and Bazz as the SFs next year.

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Originally Posted by DiMaggio dunks

Davis
Rivers
Anderson

The rest are not certain.

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but AMINU is one of the more efficient player in the league at times. A player like that who's shot is improving is valuable. He allows us to go small at other areas some times. Having a 7'4" reach doesn't hurt either. His rebound rate is first for small FW's. And he is making FT's.

We need a play-maker that can beat his man on the perimiter and handle the ball periosd Most importantly, stay infront of them. Gordon isn't quite it! With all the combo pg/sg's coming up. jrue hollidays, monta ellis, brandon beal, kyle Irving, stephan curry's, ty law's out there..... we need a stud with the ball.

QPon is the kind of SF who would be a good fit here with his 3 point shooting, athleticism, and solid defense. He's been a really good bench player for Grizzlies this season. Total shooting of 60%, offensive rating of 121, defensive rating of 104, win shares per 48 minutes of .147. I always hoped he would have been that type of player for us when he was drafted. Bower got that pick right, but it was the Brackins pick he screwed up. Thankfully Demps got Jason Smith for him.

Aminu has improved alot and would love to keep him, but I think some team will overpay him in free agency.

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Originally Posted by Pelicans78

Aminu has improved alot and would love to keep him, but I think some team will overpay him in free agency.

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Aminu is tied for my favorite player on the team, but he really can't be playing big minutes at SF if we want to do things in the playoffs. He hurts our spacing too damn much and forces us to be reliant on our guards to create offense for everyone.

Why doesn't aminu play the 4 more? He's a long athletic dude who isn't skinny really. He reminds me of a homeless mans kirilenko. I dont want a 3 who can't shoot.

^^^^ who behind Davis and Anderson?
I think not.

I hope the Pelicans at least inquire about some of the following in FA:

PG:
Teague, Jennings, Beaubois, Douglas, Augustin, Maynor, T. Evans and Paul

SG:
Mayo, Morrow, N. Young (look to the draft to find a SG as the FA is quite thin)

SF:
Budinger, Webster, Brewer, D.Wright, Babbit and Aminu

PF:
N/A

C:
Hickson, Jefferson, Pekovic, D. Blair and Mozgov

A team like the following would make me very happy:

Jennings/Rivers/Roberts
Gordon/Oladipo/Mason
Budinger or Webster/ Aminu/Miller
Davis/Anderson/Thomas
Hickson/Smith

Rivers, Davis, and Anderson can stay everybody else can kick rocks including Monty and Dell

monta ellis
martell webster
aminu
a davis
jermaine oneal

All of you people saying everyone but 3 people don't need to be on this roster are insane.

Obviously you don't know how a rebuild works. You tinker with things and get these young guys in to see what fits. Throw crap against the wall and see what sticks.

Why do you think we've been making these trades all along the past 3 years? To see and prepare for the future of the team. Life after Paul. We got one hell of a present with Davis, but it's all these other things that have been going on that will shape us. The Smith trade, the Bayless trade, the Henry & Vasquez trades... bringing in all these guys and dumping other assets while using 10 day contracts to get a feel on players.

Davis
Gordon
Anderson
Rivers
Smith
Vasquez
Lopez will all be on this team next year... unless a better option comes about by way of another team overpaying their value w/ a trade. Other than that... they are valuable assets ON this team as supposed to TO it.

Smith, Vaquez, Lopez, and to some extent Aminu are the ones that worked out. Thomas bought some time but will likely be gone. Perhaps Amundson or Roberts will stick around next year. Miller has a chance to as well.

All of these moves served a purpose, and when they didn't work, they were shipped out. Songalia, Jack. Henry won't be reupped, they made Chief prove his worth (and I think he has) and he could be a very key piece for this team in years to come. We are very young... and the important thing is that youth is our core. Even our rotation guys are all very young. We'll likely add a couple vets in the Mason, Green, Mbenga roles... but the focus of this team is its youth. That's why you need and should want guys like Smith, Aminu, and Lopez back on this team next year as important role players who are familiar with the system, have bought into it, and want to be a part of this organization/collection of players.

Davis lack of minutes and Lopez boost in minutes throughout the year gives me the impression that Lopez' stock is being raised to boost his trade value if we do not decide to keep him around I think he is probably playing more minutes than he should be but if we are indeed trying to get his value up i can see why it is being done (not to mention we have no other options to play on the team right now other than guys like Thomas). That and the fact that we havent played that lineup with all 3 on the court since earlier in the season with either Davis or Anderson at the 3 and Lopez at the 5...If i remember right those lineups were pretty successful but with the injuries we havent gone to it since...or maybe its because we dont want to put ot too much film of the Davis/Anderson/Lopez lineups going into next year because we may be using it more...i dunno just speculating