Why Saddle Next GM with Bad Contracts and No Draft Picks?

Just putting it out there. I posted a similar response under the trade thread but it is buried.

Dell Demps Should Not Be Allowed To Make One More Trade! End of story. He has had 8 years of tinkering. Trading for Boogie (and then not resigning him), signing Rondo (and then not resigning him) and firing Monty Williams are his only accomplishments. Jeff Bower was/is more competent than this guy.

This season is over. 4 games out of 8th might as well be 40 games out. And it should. And next year doesn't look any better - already. Make a run at Calipari. At least try to. Hiring some retread will not ignite a fire under this fanbase. But I have digressed.

Maybe somebody can pass this message along to Airline Drive.

I hope your wish is correct!

As long as Demps is GM, he should be allowed to execute the best deals out there that achieve the desired outcomes of the team President and ownership. Period. If they don't want Dell to make a move, they should fire him.

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Originally Posted by WildlifeAirGrp

Just putting it out there. I posted a similar response under the trade thread but it is buried.

Dell Demps Should Not Be Allowed To Make One More Trade! End of story. He has had 8 years of tinkering. Trading for Boogie (and then not resigning him), signing Rondo (and then not resigning him) and firing Monty Williams are his only accomplishments. Jeff Bower was/is more competent than this guy.

This season is over. 4 games out of 8th might as well be 40 games out. And it should. And next year doesn't look any better - already. Make a run at Calipari. At least try to. Hiring some retread will not ignite a fire under this fanbase. But I have digressed.

Maybe somebody can pass this message along to Airline Drive.

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rondo left for more money if im correct...not demps fault....

we offered boogie money and i believe it was a fair deal because of his injury for a player his size...not demps fault..

calipari is sure not the answer...

What makes Calipari not a retread? He was terrible in his stint with the Nets. His only claim to fame in Kentucky is signing up the best talent. He couldn't even coach a team of John Wall, Bledsoe and DeMarcus Cousins to a Final Four.

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Originally Posted by HoustonPelicans

What makes Calipari not a retread? He was terrible in his stint with the Nets. His only claim to fame in Kentucky is signing up the best talent. He couldn't even coach a team of John Wall, Bledsoe and DeMarcus Cousins to a Final Four.

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I believe he had some decent teams at UMass and Memphis. Where this guy goes turns into gold.

I'm out on Calipari. He's a great recruiter and a mediocre coach. But, more and more, I'm in on this idea. If it really is time to finally blow it up (and it's definitely starting to look that way) then no way should Dell Demps be the one making the decisions.

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Originally Posted by AstroFire

I believe he had some decent teams at UMass and Memphis. Where this guy goes turns into gold.

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college one and done players...

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Originally Posted by 6warddude

college one and done players...

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NBA players like him. But if you want Avery Johnson or Isiah Thomas don’t complain when he is a step down from Gentry. Both have been spotted with Loomis at Saints games this season.

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Originally Posted by 6warddude

college one and done players...

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If Lakers fire Walton. Calipari could be heading that way.

Call me crazy, but I think I’m ok with keeping Demps around. Bigger question is what to do moving forward with this team.

Avery Johnson is already being looked at for the next GM spot IMO, Dell wont make it past the offseason..

As far as coach, Calipari would almost guarantee AD stays, but we need a players coach, an up and comer rookie, much like Payton was when he came in and turned the Saints around..

Becky Hammon is that coach, from interviews guys in the Spurs love playing for her, and shes learned under one of the best basketball coaches ever

Hiring the first female head coach would definitely bring media attention to the team.

I'm on the fence about Dell. This team should be capable of competing at a higher level and that reflects coaching in my mind. But Demps hired the coach so...

Letting go of Monty the way he did was a bad look, he had warts but what coach doesn't? I actually wish we would have brought in SVG. I would still like to bring him in if (when) they send Gentry packing.

As far as Dell though, ultimately I think you keep him around until AD asks to be traded. Then you fire him and the next guy handles the AD trade.

AD leaving or staying is the ultimate measuring stick for Dell's job performance. I guess I just figured out what I think we should do with Dell.

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Originally Posted by soggymoss

Avery Johnson is already being looked at for the next GM spot IMO, Dell wont make it past the offseason..

As far as coach, Calipari would almost guarantee AD stays, but we need a players coach, an up and comer rookie, much like Payton was when he came in and turned the Saints around..

Becky Hammon is that coach, from interviews guys in the Spurs love playing for her, and shes learned under one of the best basketball coaches ever

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we already have a players coach we need someone the complete opposite or somewhere in between.

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Originally Posted by soggymoss

Avery Johnson is already being looked at for the next GM spot IMO, Dell wont make it past the offseason..

As far as coach, Calipari would almost guarantee AD stays, but we need a players coach, an up and comer rookie, much like Payton was when he came in and turned the Saints around..

Becky Hammon is that coach, from interviews guys in the Spurs love playing for her, and shes learned under one of the best basketball coaches ever

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If she has half the fire and knowledge Nancy Lieberman has, I'm in. And I think she does. It's not going to be a pretty situation for the next four or five years.

Calipari changes the narrative from when is the franchise moving to Seattle to how quickly can we contend. I'm more worried about actually keeping this franchise.

I personally don't hate Dell as much as a lot of people, however I think in a situation where AD leaves, you pretty much have to also clean house.

What about Rajon Rondo as head coach? He would be the youngest ever but I bet he could keep AD and even bring Boogie back. And he's probably top 3 basketball minds in the world, players and coaches.

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Originally Posted by HoustonPelicans

What about Rajon Rondo as head coach? He would be the youngest ever but I bet he could keep AD and even bring Boogie back. And he's probably top 3 basketball minds in the world, players and coaches.

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Rondo signed a 2 yr deal this summer. I'd assume he would want that money.

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Originally Posted by Mythrol

Rondo signed a 2 yr deal this summer. I'd assume he would want that money.

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No, it was a 1 year 9 mil deal he signed

If you sign Rondo as the head coach and he also plays does he count against the cap? Maybe partial cap charge? LOL

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Originally Posted by soggymoss

No, it was a 1 year 9 mil deal he signed

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Ah yes, I just checked it was for one year. Maybe he hangs it up after this year and wants to coach. I'm not sure he's ready to be on the sideline though.

I'ts not exactly clear in your post, are you wanting to replace Dell with Calipari as the GM?

To me nothing changes. Trade for star and if you don’t see a way to make playoffs then sell off Niko, Randle, Moore, and Hill. Build around star, Jrue, and Davis but if you can’t get the star trade then get off your bad contracts somehow. Move hill and one of Moore/Niko/Randle together for an expiring. You’ll have Jrue and Davis so go get another star with your money you’ve saved. Kyrie or Leonard would be tough gets but if Kyrie wants to play with Davis this is the best way. Hopefully you’ll have a couple first rounders from trading Randle and Mirotic to build your bench.

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Originally Posted by billfromfinance

I'ts not exactly clear in your post, are you wanting to replace Dell with Calipari as the GM?

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Coach. GM. Whatever he wants. This franchise needs a jolt of something. Otherwise, the drumbeat to just fold up tent and move to Seattle will pick up.

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Originally Posted by WildlifeAirGrp

Coach. GM. Whatever he wants. This franchise needs a jolt of something. Otherwise, the drumbeat to just fold up tent and move to Seattle will pick up.

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Lease is up in 2024. Just sayin.


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I can't see Gayle selling the team. Memphis has a better chance of ending up in Vegas or Seattle than the Pelicans.

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Originally Posted by NMThreeMVP

I can't see Gayle selling the team. Memphis has a better chance of ending up in Vegas or Seattle than the Pelicans.

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This. Gayle's actually the one who talked Tom Benson into buying the team in the first place. She's not going to sell it and have it relocate.

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Originally Posted by soggymoss

Avery Johnson is already being looked at for the next GM spot IMO, Dell wont make it past the offseason..

As far as coach, Calipari would almost guarantee AD stays, but we need a players coach, an up and comer rookie, much like Payton was when he came in and turned the Saints around..

Becky Hammon is that coach, from interviews guys in the Spurs love playing for her, and shes learned under one of the best basketball coaches ever

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Are you Fletcher? He is constantly pushing for Johnson/Hammon. I think both would be a mistake.

I wouldn’t let any coach act as GM. If a guy like Pops or Kerr use a GM, there is no way I am letting a fresh raw coach also handle GM duties, and there is no evidence of that working in recent history.

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Originally Posted by UNO Gracias

I wouldn’t let any coach act as GM. If a guy like Pops or Kerr use a GM, there is no way I am letting a fresh raw coach also handle GM duties, and there is no evidence of that working in recent history.

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I'd let Coach K be Coach and GM if we could pry him away from Duke. Imagine if Calipari could actually coach in addition to being a great recruiter... that's Coach K.

It's getting late in the day, but I don't think you have to give up on the season yet. But I think the key is not taking on bad contracts at the deadline if you're a buyer. You need guys who fit with needs and are off the books next year, or younger talent with reasonable deals. I still maintain this team is a legit defensive wing and a productive back up PG away from being a good playoff team. Those guys aren't easy to get, but a couple of names out there on the trade block fit the bill.

It's fair to ask at this point whether you should risk dealing away your first rounder. If they'd done it in December for something like a Lin/Bazemore deal with Atlanta, I'd have been on board, despite the risk. Now as we get toward February, the hill is much steeper and you have to be realistic about our chances at the post-season with so many teams between us and the playoffs. We have to get really good really soon or some pretty good teams have to hit the snide in a hurry. I know it only looks like a few games between us and the post-season, but it looks that way to four or five other teams as well who are in a better position than we are. A lot will depend on how the Pels weather Davis injury over the next 10 days or so.

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Originally Posted by NMThreeMVP

I'd let Coach K be Coach and GM if we could pry him away from Duke. Imagine if Calipari could actually coach in addition to being a great recruiter... that's Coach K.

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Coach K doesn’t even pick his squad for Team USA without Collangelo. I don’t think he would even want that job.

Go get Conley. Go get Conley!!!

Go.
Get.
Conley.

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Originally Posted by NMThreeMVP

Go get Conley. Go get Conley!!!

Go.
Get.
Conley.

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Old? Isn’t he injury prone?

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Originally Posted by RhythmNathan

Lease is up in 2024. Just sayin.


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Only 5 more years if my math is right. Davis leaves and the team goes South attendance wise buyers will be coming out of the woodwork. Media will catch on real quick. I do not believe Gayle would sell the team but if she starts losing money, and nobody is watching and nobody wants to play here then why bother?

Time will tell. Keeping Davis here long term could the first step keeping team here long term.

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Originally Posted by AstroFire

Only 5 more years if my math is right. Davis leaves and the team goes South attendance wise buyers will be coming out of the woodwork. Media will catch on real quick. I do not believe Gayle would sell the team but if she starts losing money, and nobody is watching and nobody wants to play here then why bother?

Time will tell. Keeping Davis here long term could the first step keeping team here long term.

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This was the fear when Mashburn got his mysterious vertigo diagnosis.
This was the fear when Baron Davis left.
This was the fear when CP3 left.
I guess we'll go through this again when Davis leaves.. whether he's traded or retires a Pelican. If he leaves he's gone, so why differentiate between the two?

The thesis is that without Mashburn, Baron, CP3, or AD the Pelicans will pack it up and leave, and the thesis persist even though it's been proven false for almost 20 years now! It's really hard to lose money as an NBA owner with the TV contract. Introducing gambling revenue will add more to the pot. Even if the Pelicans just barely break even, I see no reason why they would sell while the asset continues to grow in value.

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Originally Posted by NMThreeMVP

Go get Conley. Go get Conley!!!

Go.
Get.
Conley.

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Why?

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Originally Posted by NMThreeMVP

This was the fear when Mashburn got his mysterious vertigo diagnosis.
This was the fear when Baron Davis left.
This was the fear when CP3 left.
I guess we'll go through this again when Davis leaves.. whether he's traded or retires a Pelican. If he leaves he's gone, so why differentiate between the two?

The thesis is that without Mashburn, Baron, CP3, or AD the Pelicans will pack it up and leave, and the thesis persist even though it's been proven false for almost 20 years now! It's really hard to lose money as an NBA owner with the TV contract. Introducing gambling revenue will add more to the pot. Even if the Pelicans just barely break even, I see no reason why they would sell while the asset continues to grow in value.

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So you are saying this is normal?

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Originally Posted by PELICANSFAN

Why?

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Devalued/distressed asset. Plain and simple. I'm not a believer in tanking and I think the cost will be well below what a guy with his talent would normally cost.

I'm assuming Solo (a negative asset), Moore (no value), Wes Johnson (expiring) and a top 4 protected #1 could get it done.

Regardless of what happens with AD (I do think he's leaving), a Jrue Holiday and Mike Conley backcourt would keep the Pels competitive next year and down the stretch of this season. Conley/Jrue/Niko plus Boston/LA/Philly assets puts you right in the conversation of being competitive in the West. And if we're not, I don't think it would be hard to recoup assets next February by flipping Conley or Jrue.

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Originally Posted by NMThreeMVP

Devalued/distressed asset. Plain and simple. I'm not a believer in tanking and I think the cost will be well below what a guy with his talent would normally cost.

I'm assuming Solo (a negative asset), Moore (no value), Wes Johnson (expiring) and a top 4 protected #1 could get it done.

Regardless of what happens with AD (I do think he's leaving), a Jrue Holiday and Mike Conley backcourt would keep the Pels competitive next year and down the stretch of this season. Conley/Jrue/Niko plus Boston/LA/Philly assets puts you right in the conversation of being competitive in the West. And if we're not, I don't think it would be hard to recoup assets next February by flipping Conley or Jrue.

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the thing with conley is that he would love to be here because he do want to play with jrue....

conley......ball
jrue........jackson......hart
ingram......FA......miller
kuzma.....niko....FA
niko......zubac.....okafor

i dont want anything from boston so you add the roster with those players or philly if Simmons is a real target....

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Originally Posted by NMThreeMVP

Devalued/distressed asset. Plain and simple. I'm not a believer in tanking and I think the cost will be well below what a guy with his talent would normally cost.

I'm assuming Solo (a negative asset), Moore (no value), Wes Johnson (expiring) and a top 4 protected #1 could get it done.

Regardless of what happens with AD (I do think he's leaving), a Jrue Holiday and Mike Conley backcourt would keep the Pels competitive next year and down the stretch of this season. Conley/Jrue/Niko plus Boston/LA/Philly assets puts you right in the conversation of being competitive in the West. And if we're not, I don't think it would be hard to recoup assets next February by flipping Conley or Jrue.

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The problem is his age and his contract. Why take on the rest of this year and $67 million over the next two years for him? Not worth giving up a #1 for.

Yeah, anything from LA is a big no from me dawg.

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Originally Posted by PELICANSFAN

The problem is his age and his contract. Why take on the rest of this year and $67 million over the next two years for him? Not worth giving up a #1 for.

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We're not going to be a destination over the next two years, so I'm not concerned with his salary on the books presenting any real opportunity cost. We'll have draft capital from AD trade to add more than enough young talent to balance out the roster from a financial standpoint. If that talent hits, as there extensions come up Conley will be off books, with Jrue right behind him. The only downside is performance. But Conley is currently having a really good year. My expectation is that his deal continues to age better than John Wall, CP3, Hayward, Wiggins, Love, etc. It won't even be in the conversation of worse contracts in the league unless his performance falls off a cliff. I think his game ages well, unlike a Westbrook.

Our pick this year will be less valuable than the draft assets we get in AD trade. There's a cap on the number of non-elite young players I think a team should have at any given time. Everyone can't be developed at the same time.

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Originally Posted by NMThreeMVP

We're not going to be a destination over the next two years, so I'm not concerned with his salary on the books presenting any real opportunity cost. We'll have draft capital from AD trade to add more than enough young talent to balance out the roster from a financial standpoint. If that talent hits, as there extensions come up Conley will be off books, with Jrue right behind him. The only downside is performance. But Conley is currently having a really good year. My expectation is that his deal continues to age better than John Wall, CP3, Hayward, Wiggins, Love, etc. It won't even be in the conversation of worse contracts in the league unless his performance falls off a cliff. I think his game ages well, unlike a Westbrook.

Our pick this year will be less valuable than the draft assets we get in AD trade. There's a cap on the number of non-elite young players I think a team should have at any given time. Everyone can't be developed at the same time.

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If you are trading AD, why would you burden the roster with a 31 year old small PG making over $30 million a year. Makes no sense. That's a typical Demps' move.

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Originally Posted by PELICANSFAN

If you are trading AD, why would you burden the roster with a 31 year old small PG making over $30 million a year. Makes no sense. That's a typical Demps' move.

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I feel like you're only focused on Conley's age and salary. My assumption is that his game doesn't fall off too much over the next 2 years. It sounds like you think he's going to all of a sudden become a borderline or barely startable PG.

Humor me - Assume an AD trade nets you Tatum, Horford, Memphis future pick, Sacramento 2019 pick, Boston 2020 pick.

2019- Add rookie picked w/ Kings pick
2020- Horford off the books (3 1st round picks, Pels/Griz/Boston picks)
2021- Conley off the books (Huge expiring plus Pels 1st pick)
2022- Jrue off the books (Huge expiring plus Pels 1st pick) also same year as Tatum gets first big deal.

In no way does Conley inhibit you. If he's productive, he's a great vet for rookies to learn from while the team continues to be competitive. Your transition year is veteran and capable. You launch your G League team and develop a pipeline of 1st round talent to ascend around Tatum. Unless you're advocating for a Sam Hinkie style process... I don't see what the problem would be.

Edit:
If you dealt Julius/Hill/Wes/pick for Conley and traded AD/Moore to Celtics for Tatum/Horford/Kings pick/Future Grizz pick/2020 Celtics pick...
You could resign Niko for $14m/yr and likely end up paying a late lottery pick $3-4m.

You'd go into July with a team about $16m below the tax featuring

Conley/Frank
Jrue/Kevin Porter Jr (hopefully)
Tatum/Williams
Niko
Horford/Okafor

You'd have the MLE to to fill out the roster and 3 picks in the next draft to hold or use at the deadline. In the 2020 offseason we'd also have a max cap slot open up.

Convinced yet?

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Originally Posted by NMThreeMVP

I see no reason why they would sell while the asset continues to grow in value.

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Um I don’t know. Maybe the NBA will think that the asset could have greater value elsewhere and force us to sell the team with a wicked pro Seattle media campaign? I don’t share your optimism. Especially a couple years from now in a football town with no AD and poor management. Even Gayle won’t be able to stare at all those empty seats and convince herself that this team is still right for this city. It will likely be an embarrassment to behold. God I hope I am wrong but unfort long term predictions have been my thing as some here can attest to.


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