My realistic offseason plan

Option A

Trade:
SG Eric Gordon to the Chicago Bulls for SF Luol Deng

Why Chicago does the trade?
Deng is a steady, solid all-around SF, but Jimmy Butler has emerged late in the season to show some explosive talent at that position. The Gordon/Butler starting combo has a lot more upside than Hamilton/Deng when healthy. Rip Hamilton is a great veteran insurance option at SG if Gordon misses any time during the season. The Bulls could then sign someone like Corey Brewer to backup/share time at SF.

Bulls Lineup (when healthy):
Rose/Hinrich
Gordon/Hamilton
Butler/Brewer are another veteran SF backup
Boozer/Gibson
Noah

Why New Orleans does the trade?
The Pelicans need a steady, productive veteran presence as a wing player. Deng is a great all-around SF as mentioned before. He has had a lot of use throughout his 9 year career, but he is still only 28. He has had a great track record of relatively good health. Also, there is plenty of talent at SG in both free agency and the draft to replace Gordon, more so than SF.

Draft:
PG Trey Burke if available. Great player with excellent floor vision and a true leader on the court at Michigan. If Burke is gone, then they draft the best SG available in McLemore or Oladipo.

Free Agency:
Sign SG Tyreke Evans to a contract similar to Ryan Anderson's at 8-10 million per year for 4 years.
Sign a backup to Deng at SF like Aminu (more defense) or Chase Budinger (more offense) at roughly 3-3.5 million per year.
Re-sign Roger Mason for around the veteran minimum. He was a great veteran presence this past season off the bench.

Projected Pelicans Lineup:

PG: Vasquez/Burke/Roberts (Burke would eventually start over Vasquez when Monty believes he is ready.)
SG: Evans/Rivers/Mason
SF: Deng/(Aminu/Budinger)/Miller
PF: Davis/Anderson/Thomas
C: Lopez/Smith

I truly belieive this team could compete for a playoff spot.

Option B

Ok here is my new and vastly improved realistic offseason plan as I posted in another thread....

Trade 1:
Magic get Eric Gordon and 6th pick (Trey Burke)

Pelicans get 2nd pick (Ben McLemore) and Maurice Harkless

Trade 2:
Bucks get Greivis Vasquez and Robin Lopez

Pelicans get Brandon Jennings (11 million-max)

Sign:
1. Either Al Jefferson or Nikola Pekovic (11 million-max)

2. Either Chase Budinger, Corey Brewer, or Aminu (3-4 million a year)

3. Re-sign Roger Mason for around the vet minimum for his veteran bench presence.


Projected Pelicans lineup:
PG: Jennings/Rivers
SG: McLemore/Roberts/Mason
SF: (Brewer or Budinger)/Harkless/Miller
PF: Davis/Anderson/Thomas
C: (Jefferson or Pekovic)/Smith


Pipe dream I know, but that would be a lineup that could eventually be better than OKC.

No Deng, ew

I wouldn't mind Deng. Just don't like spending 8-10 a year on Evans. And IMO Burke is a Day 1 starter.

Porter is a day one starter as well and brings much more defense than Burke.

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Originally Posted by Vinny6420

No Deng, ew

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This, Deng is overrated on here plus he going in to the back in of his career

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Originally Posted by Pelicans78

Porter is a day one starter as well and brings much more defense than Burke.

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But if we traded for Deng as I outlined, why would we draft Porter over Burke?

With that line up, you might be better off with Reke at the 1 and Vasquez at two. Vasquez is pretty good off the ball and will have an easier time guarding two's than the quick pg's. Reke has the quickness and the length to guard the Point. But either way, the line up is waaay too PG heavy. I would much rather sign Reke and draft Oladipo. That way you can shop Vasquez and or Lopez around for a good deal. Dipo and Deng on the wings would be great defensively. The perfect addition to that roster would be Pekovic. Bringing out the final line up of:

Reke/ Rivers/ Roberts
Oladipo/ Rivers/ Mason
Deng/ Aminu or Budinger/ Miller
Davis/ Anderson
Pekovic/ Smith

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Originally Posted by Pelicans_fan_504

This, Deng is overrated on here plus he going in to the back in of his career

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Deng has put up solid, consistent numbers throughout his career and has been very dependable for the most part. Gordon obviously does not want to play here and is not the stable vet at wing that we need. Gordon is gone in 2 years anyway. What other realistic Gordon trade would you suggest?

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Originally Posted by Darkhorse985

But if we traded for Deng as I outlined, why would we draft Porter over Burke?

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Why trade for Deng?

I appreciate the thought and effort, but I'm in the don't trade Gordon camp, at least not unless a fantastic offer comes across, and Luol Deng certainly isn't it.

I think Jimmy Butler could play SG. What Chicago needs is someone to replace God-awful Boozer.

They're not gonna trade for Gordon's contact. Plus he and Rose would be a bad fit together.

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Originally Posted by Pelicans78

Porter is a day one starter as well and brings much more defense than Burke.

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There's questions about Porter's lateral quickness. Not sure how well of a defender he'll end up being.

http://nkrastev.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/oyvey.jpg

gordon for deng? No... by the time we are competing he'll be 30+ plus I think otto porter will be like deng but better. I say if we can get porter, keep gordon, give rivers another go and if not make a move for a PG next season

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Originally Posted by da ThRONe

There's questions about Porter's lateral quickness. Not sure how well of a defender he'll end up being.

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His height, length, basketball IQ and instincts will more than make up for it. He is gonna be a stud.

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Originally Posted by HornetGuru

His height, length, basketball IQ and instincts will more than make up for it. He is gonna be a stud.

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I don't agree I think he's a solid starter. And I'm not convinced he'll be a defensive stopper.

I'll take it!!!
Although I would prefer drafting mclemore over Burke.

I don't understand how Deng isn't satisfying though?
I mean he's not quite Gordon's level but with Gordon s injuries and
His doubts about being here it kind of makes it a fair trade.
Deng carried the bulls to the playoffs this year, the dude can ball.

I love the addition of tyreke as well. This would make a solid team.

Biggest problem I see is I highly doubt bulls would give up Deng after just a great playoffs out of butler.
I think this would be more of a trade during the season thing if butler proves to the bulls that he can ball consistently.

Chicago would have to throw in pick #20 for me to do this deal. And I want Gordon gone like yesterday! No pick, and I hold my nose and hang on to Gordon.

If we worked it out though, I'd be willing to trade our pick for a young SG or PG and possibly a later pick.

I believe the value in this draft is better 13-25. None of the player in the top half are really worth the spots they'll be drafted, but if someone offers you top end of lottery compensation, you take it and trade.

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Originally Posted by NMThreeMVP

Chicago would have to throw in pick #20 for me to do this deal. And I want Gordon gone like yesterday! No pick, and I hold my nose and hang on to Gordon.

If we worked it out though, I'd be willing to trade our pick for a young SG or PG and possibly a later pick.

I believe the value in this draft is better 13-25. None of the player in the top half are really worth the spots they'll be drafted, but if someone offers you top end of lottery compensation, you take it and trade.

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I don't see that happening at all. You are way overvaluing Gordon. I don't see any other legitimate trade option other than us getting Deng. I doubt Golden State has any real interest. I would stick with Thompson and/or Barnes any day over Gordon and his inconsistency.

I cannot imagine any team taking on Gordon's contract right now. We would not get any value for him in a trade. I am in the Burke camp for the draft as I think we need a true PG who can make things happen.

I like this trade. Deng would bring stability to SF and we could draft a SF in next years draft. This would allow the rookie sf time to learn behind a good veteran. You could even go small with burke, rivers, tyreke or rivers, vasquez, tyreke. I agree people are over valuing gordon. We paid him a max contract to not lose him for nothing. Deng is a nice player if its the best option out there.

I like Deng as a player I'm just convinced it's better to build a core around guys that will mature at/around the same time. Adding guys in their late 20's early 30's as core members just seems like you give the team a tighter window for success.

Deng is very injury prone too, he'll be old when we start competing..... risking a better future to be a maybe 8th seed isnt worth it

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Originally Posted by Darkhorse985

I don't see that happening at all. You are way overvaluing Gordon. I don't see any other legitimate trade option other than us getting Deng. I doubt Golden State has any real interest. I would stick with Thompson and/or Barnes any day over Gordon and his inconsistency.

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Deng is a rental, with one year left on his contract. I've never been accused of overvaluing Gordon. Check every post I've made...I think he's a broad! But maybe I'm undervaluing or you're overvaluing Deng. Deng for one year is no different than Danny Granger for one year, and we'd definitely ask the Pacers to throw in pick 23. This is supposedly a "bad draft" so why wouldn't they give up the pick?

When the Heat are in your way in the East, you swing for the fences. Not getting Gordon because you don't want to include a pick in the 20s is like bunting.

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Originally Posted by PELICANSFAN

I am in the Burke camp for the draft as I think we need a true PG who can make things happen.

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I think Burke is the most proven player and difference maker in this draft. I think he is the best fit on this team over anyone else in the draft.

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Originally Posted by da ThRONe

I like Deng as a player I'm just convinced it's better to build a core around guys that will mature at/around the same time. Adding guys in their late 20's early 30's as core members just seems like you give the team a tighter window for success.

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I'm in this camp.

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Originally Posted by da ThRONe

I like Deng as a player I'm just convinced it's better to build a core around guys that will mature at/around the same time. Adding guys in their late 20's early 30's as core members just seems like you give the team a tighter window for success.

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Do you believe that Gordon is or will be a core player for us? He will bolt from this team as soon as he can get someone else to pay him good money. And I don't think any team would give us a young player with tremendous upside for Gordon. So, why not get a good veteran player in Deng who can serve as a leader on this team?

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Originally Posted by Darkhorse985

I think Burke is the most proven player and difference maker in this draft. I think he is the best fit on this team over anyone else in the draft.

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I agree 100%

I think his ceiling is far higher than many believe. There aren't too many guys I think have "it" this kid oozes "it".

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Originally Posted by Pelicans78

They're not gonna trade for Gordon's contact. Plus he and Rose would be a bad fit together.

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They played AAU together and are great friends.

Victor Oladipo is the only guy I want to draft. If we can't get him, we need to trade down or trade for a vet or for a pick next year.

I agree about building younger. I almost say draft burke. See how the season goes if gordon still wants out trade him at the allstar break or offseason. I know people hate to tank (I don't either), but if gordon traded then hopefully get a good SF in next years draft. Let all the young guys develope over the 2nd half of the season. I just don't think monty could stand another year w/o playoffs.

My ideal off season:

I trade Gordon/Lopez for Bledsoe/Jordan/Green

That trade saves us $4m and locks in our PG of the future to play with out PF of the future (Ant).

It also gives us a big athletic center who can defend and run. If he's never develops into more than what he is today, we give him 20 minutes a game and walk away in 2 years or sign him to a smaller contract than his current one. He gives us a completely different skill set than Anderson, Smith, and AD. I like the versatility that means we'll have.

In the draft I draft Oladipo or trade back for a veteran SG and a pick. Gordon Hayward and Utah's pick would be enough for me. Same with Wesley Matthews and Portland's pick.

In free agency I throw all my chips at Iguodala or.... Wait for it... Wait for it ...Josh Smith. Either one of those would be the best SF we've had since Mashburn and would be nasty defensively and running lanes when paired with Bledsoe at the point and either Anderson spotting up behind the line, or Jordan going to the rim. Our shooting guard options for various lineups will either be an athletic rookie, Rivers, a young vet acquired via trade, or Willie Green.

I think that team gets in playoff contention next year, especially if we can acquire the right SG.

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Originally Posted by Darkhorse985

Do you believe that Gordon is or will be a core player for us? He will bolt from this team as soon as he can get someone else to pay him good money. And I don't think any team would give us a young player with tremendous upside for Gordon. So, why not get a good veteran player in Deng who can serve as a leader on this team?

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I don't think Gordon wants to be here. Not sure he really ever had any reason to since he got here. So I agree there. However I would be aiming for draft picks.

I have not seen one Gordon trade proposal where we get the better of the deal. SMH. Pleople...Gordon is not going anywhere UNLESS we get a deal we cannot refuse and this trade is not one of them. Move On.

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Originally Posted by aas3452

I have not seen one Gordon trade proposal where we get the better of the deal. SMH. Pleople...Gordon is not going anywhere UNLESS we get a deal we cannot refuse and this trade is not one of them. Move On.

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Who makes a deal where they are aware going in believing that one team is obviously getting the better deal??? If Gordon demonstrated during his young careers that he can stay healthy and be a leader, we'd get better deals. But at the same time, it makes no sense to overvalue and keep a player who has not demonstrated he can stay healthy and be a leader!

What we're looking for are fair deals. Not clear wins for the Pelicans.

Best case scenario is a deal that seems fair today or slightly weighted the other way, and turns into a deal we look back on 3 years from now and declare ourselves the clear winner.

That's the same outlook teams trading for Gordon will have. Best case scenario.

All that being said, that's why this is my least favorite trade. Best case scenario is you get a developmental prospect late in draft and an aging borderline all star that gives you a discount and resigns after this season.

Something really funny I observed:

You guys saying you wouldn't do Gordon for Deng straight up don't have to worry. Chicago wouldn't either. :hihi:

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Originally Posted by iNolaNightmare

Something really funny I observed:

You guys saying you wouldn't do Gordon for Deng straight up don't have to worry. Chicago wouldn't either. :hihi:

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I completely disagree. They'd be getting an actual 2-guard (something they don't have). They'd gladly let Jimmy Butler play the 3.

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Originally Posted by jsl05

I completely disagree. They'd be getting an actual 2-guard (something they don't have). They'd gladly let Jimmy Butler play the 3.

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By actual 2 guard, do you mean an actual 2 guard who can't stay on the court?

A healthy Gordon would be the homerun they need in order to get pass the Heat. Butler has shown that he can take Deng's minutes and Deng is an unrestricted free agent in 2014 meaning Chicago could ultimately lose him for nothing. They'd gladly move Butler into the SF spot and roll the dice with Gordon.

The only team I see taking Gordon is one desperate to win now or without a legit scoring threats. The Bulls don't fit either IMO.

Any team in the East fits that desperate label.

Gordon, if healthy, would give teams like Pacers/Bulls the exact player they're missing to get pass Heat.

...and both have former all star SF's on expiring deals that they're not going to resign, so might as well get something for them.

Not a very good idea for the Bulls. They need to worry about depth, not tie all of their money into four players.

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Originally Posted by iNolaNightmare

Something really funny I observed:

You guys saying you wouldn't do Gordon for Deng straight up don't have to worry. Chicago wouldn't either. :hihi:

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Originally Posted by iNolaNightmare

By actual 2 guard, do you mean an actual 2 guard who can't stay on the court?

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What's even funnier is that you are pointing to Gordon's injury issues as the reason why Chicago wouldn't make the trade, yet Deng only played 54 games last year, and he missed more than half their playoff games this post-season, including the entire Heat series.

What's even funnier, is that comparing the two's durability is like comparing apples to oranges. Woopdy doo, Deng missed however many games this past year. Eric Gordon missed 97 the past two years.

I think Eric Gordon has all the potential in the world. I truly do. I'm also not one of the people shouting for him to be traded. However, when there is true evidence that he can't stay healthy for a full season, there should be no denial. And please don't bring up the " all of them were minor injuries" argument. I've heard it all. I never once said anything about him not wanting to be here, rather I provided tangible evidence.

I like Eric Gordon. But I don't think his **** smells like roses.

Eric Gordon's value is extremmmmeeeelllyyy low.

So lets give him a season to get it higher

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Originally Posted by iNolaNightmare

Eric Gordon's value is extremmmmeeeelllyyy low.

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So were Okafor and Ariza. Found a team for both. Never underestimate desperation.

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Originally Posted by iNolaNightmare

What's even funnier, is that comparing the two's durability is like comparing apples to oranges. Woopdy doo, Deng missed however many games this past year. Eric Gordon missed 97 the past two years.

I think Eric Gordon has all the potential in the world. I truly do. I'm also not one of the people shouting for him to be traded. However, when there is true evidence that he can't stay healthy for a full season, there should be no denial. And please don't bring up the " all of them were minor injuries" argument. I've heard it all. I never once said anything about him not wanting to be here, rather I provided tangible evidence.

I like Eric Gordon. But I don't think his **** smells like roses.

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Gordon was misdiagnosed by our training staff, which led to a greatly prolonged absence. Then, when he was finally healed, the muscles in his leg were too atrophied for him to compete. Neither of these were his fault, and they aren't a major concern moving forward. If he had torn an ACL or an Achilles and missed that much time, I'd be worried, but you have to put the missed games in context.

And yes, Gordon certainly has all the potential in the world, and since he is only 24, I don't see why anyone would want to dump him for a far inferior player on a bad contract as well. I'm of the mindset that you keep talent. Gordon has had a string of bad luck over the past few years, but he was injury free in high school, college, and his 1st year in the NBA. There's no way I'm giving up on such a young, promising talent because of a few minor injuries. Yeah, I said MINOR, because they are minor. Fact.

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Originally Posted by iNolaNightmare

Eric Gordon's value is extremmmmeeeelllyyy low.

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Says the guy with absolutely no connections on the GMs of the league :rolleyes:

This is pure speculation on your part, but it's funny how fervently you claim it to be fact.

I actually was seriously considering putting "IMO" after that, I thought you'd get it, considering this is a forum, in which opinions are discussed. Oh well, :hihi: