Aminu

Wanted some opinions on what is going to happen to this guy in the offseason. We know he is an elite rebounder and above average defender for his position. Still young and athletically gifted. He messes up proper floor spacing because no one respects his shot and he has not shown much improvement in this area. What is a guy like that worth monetarily and what do you think he ultimately gets from either the Pelicans or another team?

I think we offer what Dell thinks he deserves but I see some team out there offering him more than he's worth and him taking it, i dont think he will be with us next year. He is only 22 though and will get better, im curious to see what happends.

IMO worth about 2.5 mil as a high energy defender and rebounder off the bench. If Miller finds a groove though, he could be sending Aminu right out of NOLA.

I say 3 mil/year avg...would be 5 or so but he cant shoot....we might overspend & give him 5 though because i dont see Monty wanting to just watch him leave after investing so much time into him....depends on if Monty thinks he will improve that jumper....i for 1 would be disappointed to see him go i would hate to see him leave and break out even further elsewhere

I think we will try and bring him back but some other more desperate team will offer more per year.

The #1 problem is we have TOO much money to spend. I hope we don't overspend on him but I do want him back.

3.5 mil would be my limit and let him test out the waters.

So did Dell mess up when he didn't extend the qualifying offer to Aminu this past offseason? I think his qualifying was something like 3.2 million if I am not mistaken?

Naa in Dell I trust.

No, I don't think Dell messed up on that one. Aminu was a top-ten pick which made his qualifying offer pretty high. He's still a developing player and shows some NBA-starter tools as a rebounder at his position. But he still seems to me to be a PF player trapped in a SF body. Unless he can significantly upgrade his handle and jumper, he's not going to be a starting caliber SF. In a way he reminds me of a (very) poor man's James Worthy, another super athletic ACC power forward converted to SF in the NBA. Worthy thrived in the Lakers up-tempo, fast break offense, orchestrated of course by the greatest point guard in NBA history. Aminu is best suited to a similar system, which obviously is light years away from what the Hornets do and what the Pelicans are likely to do. I like him at the right price, but barring a pretty great leap forward on his skills, we aren't going to get the most of out of him. With an up tempo team like the Nuggets, he could be a valuable player if not a starter.

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Originally Posted by new city champ

No, I don't think Dell messed up on that one. Aminu was a top-ten pick which made his qualifying offer pretty high. He's still a developing player and shows some NBA-starter tools as a rebounder at his position. But he still seems to me to be a PF player trapped in a SF body. Unless he can significantly upgrade his handle and jumper, he's not going to be a starting caliber SF. In a way he reminds me of a (very) poor man's James Worthy, another super athletic ACC power forward converted to SF in the NBA. Worthy thrived in the Lakers up-tempo, fast break offense, orchestrated of course by the greatest point guard in NBA history. Aminu is best suited to a similar system, which obviously is light years away from what the Hornets do and what the Pelicans are likely to do. I like him at the right price, but barring a pretty great leap forward on his skills, we aren't going to get the most of out of him. With an up tempo team like the Nuggets, he could be a valuable player if not a starter.

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Great post and I agree about him being a PF in a SF's body, he would thrive on a fast break team like miami, denver, atlanta etc, running the floor most PF's wouldnt be able to keep up with him, he could use it as an advantage rather than a disadvantage

Aminu will be a beast one day in this league.

And what happen to his post moves he was showing off beginning of the season? He ws looking pretty decent in the post.

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Originally Posted by Silverfoxx

And what happen to his post moves he was showing off beginning of the season? He ws looking pretty decent in the post.

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Ya he was showing nice touch around the basket

Aminu has been very predictable. Every tiem he catches it, he runs into the lane no matter what. A couple times last night, he halted ball movement to run into the lane with 3 nuggets players. He was lucky on his kick outs last night, but it's something we should watch.

Positive side of this thought: He should some pretty good pump fakes to create more of a lane for himself to drive the basket. I had no clue why those pump fakes were even getting attention from Denver, but it worked! lol

With Chief you can see the skill set developing, energetic rebounder, long defender, explosive on the break. Add a turn around jumper from the block and you've got a guy with an NBA game--with the right team. And that is with a team that pushes the ball. That's his highest and best use. Don't get me wrong, I'd like to have him and I'd love to see the Pels fast break much more than the current squad does (just thinking about Aminu and Davis running the wings makes me drool), but I don't think that's what Monty is about. And so I'm not sure Aminu reaches his potential with us.

He makes his free throws; hence, a decent sign for his future jumper. His lengthy extremities don't help in rapid development of coordination.....but we are talking about a 7'3" reach. 3.5 million was about right. I believe he would extend the offer if he could do it today.
He didn't know if Aminu would be burried on the bench or starting at this point of the year. I like the fact that we still have length on the court when Davis is out of the game. If not starting Aminu could back-up SF and PF.

he is a keeper. with a true PG I think he will become one of the more efficient players in the league.

Thats what messes with my head, he is a good FT shooter but his jumper sucks? If only it didn't... dude is 6"9 with a 7"3 wingspan and athletic, if only he could shoot...

I really want to see Aminu back with the Pelicans...

BUT

Aminu is the ultimate tease player. He has shown that he has the ability and athletisism to be a great SF, unfortunately consistance has been his achilles heal. And having said that, I see no hope of that changing. I agree with GURU, some team will bite on his athletic ability and over pay but I hope Dell sets Aminus value at about what he's making now and sticks to his guns. With as much monsy as the Pelicans have to play with this offseason it will be dangerously tempting to over pay for Aminu, but he just isn't starter material. If Miller can keep doing what he did last night Aminu's chances of returning are getting smaller.

3.2 million for next season would have fair for Aminu. Demps should have taken the option. He'll probably get around 4 million next season.

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Originally Posted by Pelicans78

3.2 million for next season would have fair for Aminu. Demps should have taken the option. He'll probably get around 4 million next season.

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But does Aminu play like this knowing he is making money next year? I think the fact that we declined his option was some motivation to get better.

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Originally Posted by Inner_GI

But does Aminu play like this knowing he is making money next year? I think the fact that we declined his option was some motivation to get better.

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That is a great point and one that I have contemplated myself.

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Originally Posted by Davisistheman

I really want to see Aminu back with the Pelicans...

BUT

Aminu is the ultimate tease player. He has shown that he has the ability and athletisism to be a great SF, unfortunately consistance has been his achilles heal. And having said that, I see no hope of that changing. I agree with GURU, some team will bite on his athletic ability and over pay but I hope Dell sets Aminus value at about what he's making now and sticks to his guns. With as much monsy as the Pelicans have to play with this offseason it will be dangerously tempting to over pay for Aminu, but he just isn't starter material. If Miller can keep doing what he did last night Aminu's chances of returning are getting smaller.

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We have a salary floor to meet next year as does every team. Who is going to be available worth spending some money on? Not saying I disagree with your assessment but I don't see much available that gets me excited free agency wise.

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Originally Posted by Pelicans78

3.2 million for next season would have fair for Aminu. Demps should have taken the option. He'll probably get around 4 million next season.

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If Aminu becomes as good as people believe he can become then locking him up on a long term deal this offseason will be much cheaper than paying him his tender and then let him develop another year before locking him up long term.

On the other hand if Aminu flames out then the deal you get him to sign this off season will likely have multiple team options and you can bail without too much commitment.

Whether he booms or busts, this was the year to make a contract year. Demps made the right call.

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Originally Posted by SaintBrock

So did Dell mess up when he didn't extend the qualifying offer to Aminu this past offseason? I think his qualifying was something like 3.2 million if I am not mistaken?

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Yes, I thought then and still do think it was a mistake not to extend the QO. For that cost, he was worth the risk.

Here's the thing. Hind sight is 20-20. Most everyone was cheering for the move when it happened because Aminu had just come off a horrible season, and he still hasn't proven he has the basketball I.Q. to be trusted. Sometimes he flashes, but a lot of times he makes really stupid mistakes. He has elite tools, and he is only 23, so I am guessing that Dell is planning on locking him up for 4 years, $12-15 million or something along those lines. I think he'll take a little less to stay here because he respects Monty and knows that Monty has put in a lot of time (and will continue to do so) to develop his game. Monty has mad respect from his players, and I think that is going to go a long way when it's time to re-sign Aminu this off season.

More importantly, Demps made the move because it gives us cap flexibility moving into the off season. You look at $3.2 million and think, "that's nothing, we could have afforded that." But in reality, that is the difference between us being able to offer a max contract and not being able to do so. If Aminu was locked into the books at $3.2, we don't have the space to offer the max. Demps is playing chess. Let him work gentlemen.

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Originally Posted by nolaslim213

Here's the thing. Hind sight is 20-20. Most everyone was cheering for the move when it happened because Aminu had just come off a horrible season, and he still hasn't proven he has the basketball I.Q. to be trusted. Sometimes he flashes, but a lot of times he makes really stupid mistakes. He has elite tools, and he is only 23, so I am guessing that Dell is planning on locking him up for 4 years, $12-15 million or something along those lines. I think he'll take a little less to stay here because he respects Monty and knows that Monty has put in a lot of time (and will continue to do so) to develop his game. Monty has mad respect from his players, and I think that is going to go a long way when it's time to re-sign Aminu this off season.

More importantly, Demps made the move because it gives us cap flexibility moving into the off season. You look at $3.2 million and think, "that's nothing, we could have afforded that." But in reality, that is the difference between us being able to offer a max contract and not being able to do so. If Aminu was locked into the books at $3.2, we don't have the space to offer the max. Demps is playing chess. Let him work gentlemen.

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Good post.
This is the exact reason Aminu didn't have his QO accepted....to leave room for a max player.

I just don't know who that max player is going to be.
Cant think of any FA's that are worth the max though.
It has to be to have enough money for a few players.

Aminu will be in a Pelicans uniform next season and so will Smith who gets an extension.

Aminu is a painful decision. You gotta think his jumper will start falling. If he'd take it, id give him 4 years 16mil and trust he rounds out his game. I dont see him as a legit starter, but I can see him sliding between 3 and 4 off the bench and help us manage small ball teams nicely. As others have noted his free throw shooting is suite nice. Shooting a jumper with that much ark takes time to get comfortable with though, I seem to remember his Clipper highlights showing a much lower arc on his jumper, hes only really just changed it (correct me if im wrong)

Keep both Miller and Aminu, but still try to upgrade at starting SF. As Roberts' great play as starting PG has shown, we have a very PG friendly system and having a star there would take us to the next level IMO

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Originally Posted by SaintBrock

We have a salary floor to meet next year as does every team. Who is going to be available worth spending some money on? Not saying I disagree with your assessment but I don't see much available that gets me excited free agency wise.

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Personally, I'd be looking at drafting one of the top SF. Shabazz seems like a logical target.

In free agency I'd be taking long looks at:

Dorell Wright
Corey Brewer
Chase Budinger

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Originally Posted by AUSSIE_PELICAN

Good post.
This is the exact reason Aminu didn't have his QO accepted....to leave room for a max player.

I just don't know who that max player is going to be.
Cant think of any FA's that are worth the max though

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That's the thing. It is a nice theory, but not realistic. Unless we feel we can get CP to come back, there are no FAs worthy of a max contract. I doubt we would sign another max player anyway unless we got rid of Gordon.

Put Aminu in the gym and make him shoot a couple thousand jumpers a day until they fall atleast semi consistantly and you've almost got Gerald Wallace. That drives me nuts. It would open up so much for his and our offense to have him be a threat from deep.

But will it ever happen? It hasn't yet.

Pretty sure that since we didn't extend the QO, we are prohibited from paying him more than the QO amount.

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Originally Posted by Davisistheman

I really want to see Aminu back with the Pelicans...

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The Pelican Chief.

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Originally Posted by ml wave

Pretty sure that since we didn't extend the QO, we are prohibited from paying him more than the QO amount.

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I don't think that's true at all. It just means he won't be restricted.

i just dont see any players in free agency that are worthy of a max contract other than dwight... Hope a trade is involved or something.

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Originally Posted by ml wave

Pretty sure that since we didn't extend the QO, we are prohibited from paying him more than the QO amount.

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That's not true.

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Originally Posted by Purple Haze

That's not true.

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Check Larry Coon's twitter feed from 1/23 (I can't link it from work). "NO can't re-sign him for more than he would have made under his rookie contract. No limitation for other teams."

What the heck? When did that become a rule?

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Originally Posted by ml wave

Check Larry Coon's twitter feed from 1/23 (I can't link it from work). "NO can't re-sign him for more than he would have made under his rookie contract. No limitation for other teams."

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Here's his exact tweet:

NO can't re-sign him for more than he RT @nicobaguio: how much can he be signed to? Read in CBA FAQ that his salary can't be > 4th yr salary

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Originally Posted by donato

Here's his exact tweet:

NO can't re-sign him for more than he RT @nicobaguio: how much can he be signed to? Read in CBA FAQ that his salary can't be > 4th yr salary

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WOW!! I guess this whole thread was pointless. Aminu is a gone pecan.

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Originally Posted by Purple Haze

What the heck? When did that become a rule?

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I'm not 100% sure that it's the case...I couldn't find the situation addressed directly in the CBA, since we'll be under the cap and the only provision that I found dealt with teams over the cap. Possible, I suppose, that Coon a) didn't realize we'd be under the cap or 2) didn't realize that restriction was only for teams over the cap.

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Originally Posted by donato

Here's his exact tweet:

NO can't re-sign him for more than he RT @nicobaguio: how much can he be signed to? Read in CBA FAQ that his salary can't be > 4th yr salary

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The next tweet finishes his quote.

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Originally Posted by SaintBrock

WOW!! I guess this whole thread was pointless.

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Just like the rest of them!

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Originally Posted by ml wave

The next tweet finishes his quote.

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Ok, here's the whole thing (read bottom to top):


Larry Coon ‏@LarryCoon 23 Jan
...would have made under his rookie contract. No limitation for other teams. @nicobaguio
Expand
Larry Coon ‏@LarryCoon 23 Jan
NO can't re-sign him for more than he RT @nicobaguio: how much can he be signed to? Read in CBA FAQ that his salary can't be > 4th yr salary
Expand
Larry Coon ‏@LarryCoon 23 Jan
No. RT @nicobaguio: Q: is Aminu a RFA?

I can't find that rule in the CBA agreement, which I'm not saying it's not in there. I'm just not going to read the whole thing.

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Originally Posted by donato

Ok, here's the whole thing (read bottom to top):


Larry Coon ‏@LarryCoon 23 Jan
...would have made under his rookie contract. No limitation for other teams. @nicobaguio
Expand
Larry Coon ‏@LarryCoon 23 Jan
NO can't re-sign him for more than he RT @nicobaguio: how much can he be signed to? Read in CBA FAQ that his salary can't be > 4th yr salary
Expand
Larry Coon ‏@LarryCoon 23 Jan
No. RT @nicobaguio: Q: is Aminu a RFA?

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Makes sense.

Well then this thread is over. :hihi:

And I have an entirely different big board.

Demps gambled on this one and lost. I'm not going to cry over Aminu but this is not too good for a team like ours starving for quality NBA talent.

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Originally Posted by SaintBrock

Demps gambled on this one and lost. I'm not going to cry over Aminu but this is not too good for a team like ours starving for quality NBA talent.

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Bazz/Porter and Miller is just fine with me. Clearly a downgrade in defense and rebounding, but I think it will even out to be an upgrade overall when you see more than 7 points a game from your STARTING SF. ;)

My next question now is, why is Aminu playing for us, when Miller could be getting minutes. Aminu is as good as gone now.

That seems rather silly. Why would that be in the CBA? To encourage teams to take a chance by extending a player rather than letting them see what the player's true value in the FA market would be?

It just doesn't make much sense, at least to me. Why are we just now finding out about this? I'm not saying it's untrue, but it's a seemingly nonsensical rule that apparently none of us were familiar with.