What is the solution at SF?

Resign Aminu and wait for him to develop?
Can we find a starting SF with the #6 pick in the draft?
Any trade ideas?
There don't seem to be many quality free agents at the SF position this offseason.

Draft Otto Porter

Eric Gordon for Luol Deng

If Otto Porter isn't there at 6, I'd re-sign Aminu if the price is right. I'm a huge believer in Aminu and I think he can be a solid 3 if he cut down some of the mental gaffs. I'd also sign someone like Korver to come off the bench to give us another outside threat. Let Darius Miller continue to develop in a similar or slightly increased role from this past year.

So my answer is:
Porter/Aminu
Korver
Miller

Sign Korver or someone like him, wait another year.

Iggy, second best perimeter defender in the league and he can be the veteran presence this team will need while it grows.

Should Washington take Porter 3rd (which isn't a sure thing at all, but still) then we should definitely pursue Martell Webster with a decent contract. Plays D and spreads the floor but has injury history so he should try to get a decent longterm offer this offseason.

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Originally Posted by Mr. West

Should Washington take Porter 3rd (which isn't a sure thing at all, but still) then we should definitely pursue Martell Webster with a decent contract. Plays D and spreads the floor but has injury history so he should try to get a decent longterm offer this offseason.

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If we miss on Iggy, or just aren't interested in him, I'd love to land Webster.

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Originally Posted by Gray Biscuits

Resign Aminu and wait for him to develop?
Can we find a starting SF with the #6 pick in the draft?
Any trade ideas?
There don't seem to be many quality free agents at the SF position this offseason.

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I dont know who you are or where u come from, but ur name and avi is awesome..

Its very refreshing for this board to get more "animated posters" or gimmicks. Welcome, im the silver one. Im from parts unknown.

Iguodala is due just south of 16 million dollars if he picks up his option. One would believe that if he declines his option on a playoff team, he's going to want more to play for a team like the Pelicans and his production doesn't warrant the type of contract he's possibly going to get.

Holla at AFA.... also see if Delfino and Francisco Garcia are interested.

If Porter isn’t available at 6…..there will still be better small forwards just as good in the 10-14 range next draft.

I think we need to find our PG, SG or C in this draft.

However I still say we should go BPA.

There are too many unknown’s for this team:

Do Dell and Monty still see Rivers being our PG for the future (I think he was drafted because he could create his own shot, not for his PG skills)?
Is Gordon here for the long haul at SG or will he be traded (If so we need to use our pick on a SG or move Rivers to SG and draft a PG)?
Does Davis eventually become a centre or stay at Power forward?

Until these questions are addressed I don’t think we have to be too picky on what position we draft.

However I still think we sign Webster or Budinger to start with Aminu off the bench (if he wants to return) otherwise Miller is the back up.

Hopefully we also buy another pick from Dallas or OKC.

My hope would be:

Vasquez/Burke/Roberts
Gordon/Rivers/Miller
Budinger or Webster/Aminu/Miller
Davis/Anderson/Smith
Lopez/Smith/Gobert (Purchased Pick)

I know this team would still be in the Lottery, but as long as there is improvement and the team has good chemistry I’ll be happy.
This is going into season two as per the plan, so I can’t see there being too many changes or any big time signings for season 2013/14.
Next year’s draft is too good to just make the playoffs and miss out on a lottery pick.
Not that I condone ‘tanking’ but there would be no point in bringing in too many high profile players like Iggy to a team who just isn’t ready yet.

In my world:

Pelicans trade Gordon for Granger and pick 23.

Clippers fall n love with someone in lottery and Pelicans trade 6 and Lopez for Bledsoe and Jordan.

Pelicans draft one of: Saric, Rice Jr., Franklin, Hardaway Jr., or Bullock at 23.

And we hope Granger is healthy and can be resigned at a reasonable rate for a hometown discount in 2014. If not we have a load of cap space and guys like Bledsoe and Davis who are no longer rookies, but experienced young vets.

Not reaching for Otto Porter, find someone in FA, wait for next year's crazy SF class.

Assuming Porter and Bennett are gone by the sixth pick, there are a few other SF in the draft I like (Muhammad, Tony Snell of New Mexico, Tony Mitchell of North Texas) but not at 6.


Free agent wise, guys like Josh Smith and Andre Igoudala would be nice but are out of price range. My outside the box option is a Dorrell Wright/Al-Aminu platoon.

Really depends on the draft. If we miss out on Porter I say we sign a FA SF and build from there. I really believe in Miller so Brewer/Wright/etc. is fine with me, honestly. They are all still so young.

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Originally Posted by Psalm 102.6

Assuming Porter and Bennett are gone by the sixth pick, there are a few other SF in the draft I like (Muhammad, Tony Snell of New Mexico, Tony Mitchell of North Texas) but not at 6.


Free agent wise, guys like Josh Smith and Andre Igoudala would be nice but are out of price range. My outside the box option is a Dorrell Wright/Al-Aminu platoon.

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Bennett is not and WILL NOT be a SF in the NBA. He plays no defense in college at the 4, how in the world is that dude gonna guard the athletic 3's in the league now? He's a stretch 4, period imo.

And your Wright thought is not outside the box, it's just smart and has been discussed here in depth. I love that kid and hope we can get him on the cheap.

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Originally Posted by NMThreeMVP

In my world:

Pelicans trade Gordon for Granger and pick 23.

Clippers fall n love with someone in lottery and Pelicans trade 6 and Lopez for Bledsoe and Jordan.

Pelicans draft one of: Saric, Rice Jr., Franklin, Hardaway Jr., or Bullock at 23.

And we hope Granger is healthy and can be resigned at a reasonable rate for a hometown discount in 2014. If not we have a load of cap space and guys like Bledsoe and Davis who are no longer rookies, but experienced young vets.

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Changing my mind a little:

After watching the Pacers struggle to find offense to keep up with Miami, I have no doubt that Pacers would give up 23 and Granger for Gordon. That definitely sets the market.

Would Chicago, who also could use a SG, throw in pick 20 along with Deng? I think they would. They would potentially have a pretty explosive backcourt, and the kind of experience and coaching to get them through any injury absences, so long as everyone is healthy during the playoffs.

Deng is healthier and younger. And pick 20 is obviously better than pick 23.

If the Heat win another championship, I think we could see a bidding war between to the 2 teams that got knocked out by the Heat.

Would Pacers throw in Stevenson to top Chicago? Would Chicago throw in Teague?

Giving up expiring former All Stars, that have already been replaced in the lineup by Jimmy Butler and Paul George, for the only player available who if healthy could get you past the Heat... Makes a lot of sense for both teams.

Let the bidding war begin!

This board really hates Shabazz. Not one mention. Don't be shocked if he's the pick at 6.

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Originally Posted by PelsFan2313

This board really hates Shabazz. Not one mention. Don't be shocked if he's the pick at 6.

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Shabazzhumbug

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Originally Posted by PelsFan2313

This board really hates Shabazz. Not one mention. Don't be shocked if he's the pick at 6.

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I agree. I would re-sign AFA and draft 'Bazz. Aminu to start for defense and rebounding, while 'Bazz is our 2nd unit scorer.

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Originally Posted by Silverfoxx

I dont know who you are or where u come from, but ur name and avi is awesome..

Its very refreshing for this board to get more "animated posters" or gimmicks. Welcome, im the silver one. Im from parts unknown.

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-_-
Laffy does not count as unknown... Lol

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Originally Posted by PelsFan2313

This board really hates Shabazz. Not oneIt mentioIt's n. Don't be shocked if he's the pick at 6.

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It's a hard sell.

Wait till next years draft.

Dario Saric

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Originally Posted by Pelican589

Iguodala is due just south of 16 million dollars if he picks up his option. One would believe that if he declines his option on a playoff team, he's going to want more to play for a team like the Pelicans and his production doesn't warrant the type of contract he's possibly going to get.

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Just because he's making ~16 million this year, and plans to opt out, doesn't mean he expects to make ~16 million next year. Which is better 1 year 16 million, or 3 years/37.5 million? That contract would last u til he's 32, and at 12.5 a year, his defense, getting others involved, rebounding, etc, would all drastically help the Pelicans on both sides of the ball.

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Originally Posted by DroopyDawg

Holla at AFA.... also see if Delfino and Francisco Garcia are interested.

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Forgot about this guy, I even started a thread about him earlier in the off season. He'd be my target is both Iggy and Webster tell us no, or want to much $$$.

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Originally Posted by NMThreeMVP

Changing my mind a little:

After watching the Pacers struggle to find offense to keep up with Miami, I have no doubt that Pacers would give up 23 and Granger for Gordon. That definitely sets the market.

Would Chicago, who also could use a SG, throw in pick 20 along with Deng? I think they would. They would potentially have a pretty explosive backcourt, and the kind of experience and coaching to get them through any injury absences, so long as everyone is healthy during the playoffs.

Deng is healthier and younger. And pick 20 is obviously better than pick 23.

If the Heat win another championship, I think we could see a bidding war between to the 2 teams that got knocked out by the Heat.

Would Pacers throw in Stevenson to top Chicago? Would Chicago throw in Teague?

Giving up expiring former All Stars, that have already been replaced in the lineup by Jimmy Butler and Paul George, for the only player available who if healthy could get you past the Heat... Makes a lot of sense for both teams.

Let the bidding war begin!

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If we could get the Bulls to trade us Charlotte's 1st (top 10 protected next year, top 8 protected in '15 and then unprotected in '16) I'd like that trade alot better. Deng is an expiring next year, and I'm not sure if he's be interested in hanging around during a rebuild.

My plans A-D for the SF position.

A. Draft Porter.
B. Sign Martell Webster longterm, something like 3 years 18. Mil. (6 mil. per year)
C. Draft Dario Saric as a longterm project, resign AFA to start next year.
D. Sign Buddinger or Brewer.

If all else fails, bring back the Chief to rebound another year with the starting lineup.

We are not in win now mode so I say go with a stop gap like Buddinger, Brewer, or somebody like that if we don't get Porter. Next year seems like the year for wing players in the draft. Ideally, I would go stop gap this year and draft CJ/Burke then get your future wing in next year's draft.

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Originally Posted by NMThreeMVP

Changing my mind a little:

After watching the Pacers struggle to find offense to keep up with Miami, I have no doubt that Pacers would give up 23 and Granger for Gordon. That definitely sets the market.

Would Chicago, who also could use a SG, throw in pick 20 along with Deng? I think they would. They would potentially have a pretty explosive backcourt, and the kind of experience and coaching to get them through any injury absences, so long as everyone is healthy during the playoffs.

Deng is healthier and younger. And pick 20 is obviously better than pick 23.

If the Heat win another championship, I think we could see a bidding war between to the 2 teams that got knocked out by the Heat.

Would Pacers throw in Stevenson to top Chicago? Would Chicago throw in Teague?

Giving up expiring former All Stars, that have already been replaced in the lineup by Jimmy Butler and Paul George, for the only player available who if healthy could get you past the Heat... Makes a lot of sense for both teams.

Let the bidding war begin!

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I'm assuming u wanna trade Gordon cause of injuries right?? Well taking granger just makes no sense at all. Dude is worse off than Gordon injury wise and it's not even close. Grangers knees r about done for. That 23 pick ain't netting us nothing close to a Player of Gordon's caliber.

I really wanna hold off at the sf position til next years draft. It is absolutely loaded with premiere sf's. Even if we are picking around 7-10 which is the range I see us in. We will be able to grab a very talented guy there. I really like the Julius randle kid. He's gonna be a beast.

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Originally Posted by kclaboy504

I really wanna hold off at the sf position til next years draft. It is absolutely loaded with premiere sf's. Even if we are picking around 7-10 which is the range I see us in. We will be able to grab a very talented guy there. I really like the Julius randle kid. He's gonna be a beast.

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Julius Randle the 6'9 240 PF? He doesn't help our wing position.

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Originally Posted by PelsFan2313

This board really hates Shabazz. Not one mention. Don't be shocked if he's the pick at 6.

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I'm a new poster but long time reader, and I strongly disagree about the hate for Shabazz. I've seen too much love for him over the months.

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Originally Posted by kclaboy504

I'm assuming u wanna trade Gordon cause of injuries right?? Well taking granger just makes no sense at all. Dude is worse off than Gordon injury wise and it's not even close. Grangers knees r about done for. That 23 pick ain't netting us nothing close to a Player of Gordon's caliber.

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Trade him because he's unreliable... and has not one ounce of leadership in his body.

But if I did this trade I'd really be looking to bring in a vet locker room guy and clear salary going into 2014.

I think Indy would offer 23/Granger -it makes complete sense for their team -and I think Bulls and Celtics for that matter could and would top their offer if Gordon passes a physical.

Last year the Hornets could've (should've) let Gordon walk to Phoenix for nothing. If this year they get a vet SF and a pick out of him, I think that's a win, unless Phoenix offered something better last year to sign and trade Gordon.

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Originally Posted by Pelican589

I'm a new poster but long time reader, and I strongly disagree about the hate for Shabazz. I've seen too much love for him over the months.

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Oh really? Too much love huh? :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by NMThreeMVP

Trade him because he's unreliable... and has not one ounce of leadership in his body.

But if I did this trade I'd really be looking to bring in a vet locker room guy and clear salary going into 2014.

I think Indy would offer 23/Granger -it makes complete sense for their team -and I think Bulls and Celtics for that matter could and would top their offer if Gordon passes a physical.

Last year the Hornets could've (should've) let Gordon walk to Phoenix for nothing. If this year they get a vet SF and a pick out of him, I think that's a win, unless Phoenix offered something better last year to sign and trade Gordon.

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You never let a player of Gordon's caliber (or potential caliber) walk for nothing, if you can control it. Has it been bad so far? Yes, but if he can ever stay healthy again, he's a 20+ points per game scorer and he also plays defense at a high level, and those don't just grow on trees.

Personally I don't like Gordon. I don't think he wants to be here, and I don't think he's very tough. Even after last years disasterous season, I still think matching his contract was the right move. One thing is for sure, his value is at an all time low at the moment and trading a player when his value is lowest isn't what smart GMs do. Let him play the first half of next year, and hopefully he's playin great ball and staying healthy. If so, his value would be considerably higher, then and only then do you trade him. If he continues to have injury problems through next season, then you can dump him for whatever scraps you can get but I don't think trading him right now is the right move unless it brings us a solid core piece which he prob can't.

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Originally Posted by Nola Hornet

Oh really? Too much love huh? :rolleyes:

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:rolleyes: yourself. He has over 40% of the vote in this poll which is twice as much as the second-place vote getter.

http://www.pelicansreport.com/showth...us-5-are-taken

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Originally Posted by donato

:rolleyes: yourself. He has over 40% of the vote in this poll which is twice as much as the second-place vote getter.

http://www.pelicansreport.com/showth...us-5-are-taken

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And that's too much love? Oh Please. That thread was more about settling for the next prospect once the top 5 are gone. You act like people are going around lobbying for Muhammad the way they lobby for Burke. Give me a break. He gets no more love than anyone else outside of the top 5.

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Originally Posted by Nola Hornet

And that's too much love? Oh Please. That thread was more about settling for the next prospect once the top 5 are gone. You act like people are going around lobbying for Muhammad the way they lobby for Burke. Give me a break. He gets no more love than anyone else outside of the top 5.

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Lolz this. Saying he gets too much love is absurd.

He does get too much love. He gets more love than anyone on this board outside of Porter, Burke, McLemore and Oladipo even though he is slated to go much later than those guys.

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Originally Posted by donato

He does get too much love. He gets more love than anyone on this board outside of Porter, Burke, McLemore and Oladipo even though he is slated to go much later than those guys.

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Let me know when people start saying things like we should take Muhammad over any of those guys and your point will be valid.

I would like to get CJ Leslie late and see what comes up next year (of course resign Aminu). I like 3 late picks in Hardaway, Lesli, and Kabongo. All these players just need to mature a little and I think they'll be really good players and if Hardaway is 6'6 then he can play SF in some situations.

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Originally Posted by GeauxPelicans

Iggy, second best perimeter defender in the league and he can be the veteran presence this team will need while it grows.

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yea but whats the price tag? he was due for 16 mil, but i wouldn't want us to pay more than 8

most ideal options at small forward:

. michael kidd gilchrist - don't expect he's attainable, but the familiarity with a.d. would be perfect
. thadeus young - from nola, one of the best young 3's in the game
. khawi leonard - 3 and d with a lot of upside
. jimmy butler - gritty and tough, would fit our mold
. tobias harris - where did this guy come from?
. nicolas batum - too much salary, but id take him over gordon
. al farouq aminu - gets way too bad of a rap from the media. he's the best rebounding 3 in the game and his defense is great
. chandler parsons - more athletic than you'd think
. evan turner - maybe a change of scenery would up his game
. danillo gallinari - great player who can stretch the court
. danny granger - maybe trade gordon for him (although id like more in return)
. josh smith - don't think hell fit our team, but the athleticism and production can't be ignored
. wesley johnson - will be a free agent, never lived up to potential but still young
. jordan hamilton - did well in limited minutes
. khris middleton - 21, showed potential
. iman shumpert - 3 and D type
. martell webster - shooter only
. earl clark - lengthy, matchup guy
. moe harkless - don't think orlando would trade him
. perry jones III - untapped potential, could get him cheap
. jeremy evans - athletic with lots of upside
. paul pierce - still a premiere player, great mentor for one year

People need to stop saying Aminu's defense is great. He's tight in the hips and has trouble rotating to the right spot. Lots of wide open 3s when he's out there. His strengths are rebounding and running the floor and that's it.

There are far more options at SF than PG in free agency, so sign one of those options for now that can be a better team defender and can also help stretch the floor.

Three and D.. is the name of the game at the SF position.

Find me a SF with good size, who's durable, shoots a high % from 3 and the free thow line and who, and this is most important, statisically improves his teams defense. Either that or blackmail Miami and OKC for LeBron or Kevin Durant. There is no in between. You either need a true point forward or a three and D guy. The Rudy Gay, Andre Iguodala, Danny Granger, Loul Deng, 2nd tier SFs aren't gonna get it done in the new NBA.

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Originally Posted by ScoutWithoutClout

most ideal options at small forward:

. michael kidd gilchrist - don't expect he's attainable, but the familiarity with a.d. would be perfect
. thadeus young - from nola, one of the best young 3's in the game
. khawi leonard - 3 and d with a lot of upside
. jimmy butler - gritty and tough, would fit our mold
. tobias harris - where did this guy come from?
. nicolas batum - too much salary, but id take him over gordon
. al farouq aminu - gets way too bad of a rap from the media. he's the best rebounding 3 in the game and his defense is great
. chandler parsons - more athletic than you'd think
. evan turner - maybe a change of scenery would up his game
. danillo gallinari - great player who can stretch the court
. danny granger - maybe trade gordon for him (although id like more in return)
. josh smith - don't think hell fit our team, but the athleticism and production can't be ignored
. wesley johnson - will be a free agent, never lived up to potential but still young
. jordan hamilton - did well in limited minutes
. khris middleton - 21, showed potential
. iman shumpert - 3 and D type
. martell webster - shooter only
. earl clark - lengthy, matchup guy
. moe harkless - don't think orlando would trade him
. perry jones III - untapped potential, could get him cheap
. jeremy evans - athletic with lots of upside
. paul pierce - still a premiere player, great mentor for one year

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I think all in bold you can remove since they're either a tweener or probably unattainable (which you stated in a few of them). The guy that really intrigues me on that list is Tobias Harris. He's one of those guys that the per 36 was right about. I think if he's on another team that has scoring options (Orlando didn't), he's more of a 12-15 PPG guy, but he rebounds well, doesn't turn it over too much.

You can sure as heck take Butler off of that list too, he's the future in Chicago at the 3. Deng is a more realistic option than Butler.

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Originally Posted by Coughka

Not reaching for Otto Porter, find someone in FA, wait for next year's crazy SF class.

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Porter may or may not be a great pick, but he's no "reach." He's a projected top 3 pick.

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Originally Posted by DefensiveMind

Three and D.. is the name of the game at the SF position.

Find me a SF with good size, who's durable, shoots a high % from 3 and the free thow line and who, and this is most important, statisically improves his teams defense. Either that or blackmail Miami and OKC for LeBron or Kevin Durant. There is no in between. You either need a true point forward or a three and D guy. The Rudy Gay, Andre Iguodala, Danny Granger, Loul Deng, 2nd tier SFs aren't gonna get it done in the new NBA.

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I disagree on Iggy and Deng, unless you mean "for the contract they command". Neither is a great shooter but both are passable and both are elite, elite defenders. Agree on Rudy Gay. Not sure on Granger, especially after the injury.

But yeah, on your overall point ... just try and find a Matt Barnes type if all else fails to come in and be a stop gap. Good 3 and D guys are extremely valuable and some of the veteran guys can be had for relatively cheap.

I have a gut feeling we'll resign either aminu or ariza...