Pels open to Trade

[markid]

https://marcstein.substack.com/p/sun...-post&r=3shtjf

And by that, anyone not named: Yves, Herb and Trey

[Nichols]

https://marcstein.substack.com/p/sun...-post&r=3shtjf

And by that, anyone not named: Yves, Herb and Trey

I like these players.. but slowly and surely many of you will find out that they aren't pieces to build around. They simply aren't good enough. They are good complimentary pieces.

[donato]

Yeah, with this team I wouldn't put anyone as untouchable. Those three would need very good returns though.

[Darkhorse985]

Might as well start posting trade ideas...

3 team deal here...

Magic get
SG CJ McCullum, PG Malaki Branham, C Daniel Theis

Spurs get
SG Brandon Ingram, C Goga Bitadze, PF Karlo Matkovic

Pels get
SF Keldon Johnson, PG Cole Anthony, C Zach Collins, SG Gary Harris, 2025 Chicago 1st via Spurs (top 10 protected), 2025 Denver 1st via Magic (top 5 protected)

Lineups when healthy...

Magic
PG: Suggs/Branham/Joseph
SG: McCullum/Black/Howard
SF: F. Wagner/Caldwell-Pope/da Silva
PF: Banchero/Issac/Houstan
C: Carter Jr/M.Wagner/Theis

Spurs
PG: Paul/Castle/Jones
SG: Ingram/Vassell/Wesley
SF: Barnes/Champagnie/Cissoko
PF: Sochan/Mamukelashvili/Matkovic
C: Wemby/Bitadze/Bassey

Pelicans
PG: Murray/Alvarado/Anthony
SG: Murphy/Hawkins/Reeves
SF: Jones/Boston/Harris
PF: Zion/Johnson/Green
C: Missi/Collins/JRE

[13 - 3]

Has Zion even been at the games on the bench? Seems like this might happen sooner than later?

[Nichols]

Has Zion even been at the games on the bench? Seems like this might happen sooner than later?

I just read in a few places that the Pels are now open to trading him. But they have to be blown away by the offer. I don't see how that happens considering his propensity for injury.

[donato]

I just read in a few places that the Pels are now open to trading him. But they have to be blown away by the offer. I don't see how that happens considering his propensity for injury.

What are they supposed to say? That they'll take a mediocre return?

[Nichols]

What are they supposed to say? That they'll take a mediocre return?

My point is there's no point in saying anything at all, because of course they aren't going to accept scraps. They also should know they aren't going to get what he's worth, based on his upside if healthy.

[P_B_&_G]

We all know how this ends. We send Zion out for a milktoast return for him to find a training team that can keep him on the court and we get to watch from afar as he chases rings...

[P_B_&_G]

If we trade him to the Lakers I might quit watching the NBA. I'm serious.

[Nichols]

If we trade him to the Lakers I might quit watching the NBA. I'm serious.

As a lifelong Lakers fan, I can honestly say I see no reason to trade Zion or Ingram to them. They have nothing beneficial to offer for either one of them. Unless a third team is involved.

Edit: One exception, D'Lo is an expiring contract. Which can make it attractive.

[P_B_&_G]

As a lifelong Lakers fan, I can honestly say I see no reason to trade Zion or Ingram to them. They have nothing beneficial to offer for either one of them. Unless a third team is involved.

Edit: One exception, D'Lo is an expiring contract. Which can make it attractive.

Ingram is also expiring and they could just cut Zion with no cap hit, so expirings for either of them are pointless unless something else is thrown in to make it worthwhile. I honestly think hanging on to Zion is the best option if they are going to do a mini rebuild. You can release him whenever for nothing and if he doesnt play it helps to suck more. If he somehow ever gets healthy it may up his trade value enough to get something decent for him if you still want to move on.

[Nichols]

Ingram is also expiring and they could just cut Zion with no cap hit, so expirings for either of them are pointless unless something else is thrown in to make it worthwhile. I honestly think hanging on to Zion is the best option if they are going to do a mini rebuild. You can release him whenever for nothing and if he doesnt play it helps to suck more. If he somehow ever gets healthy it may up his trade value enough to get something decent for him if you still want to move on.

Agreed, which is why I doubt a trade with the Lakers is possible. Ingram would be a game changer for them however. Or any other team that's one player away.

The best outcome for the Pels would be to keep Zion, and Ingram with them somehow miraculously playing a majority of the NBA schedule. Doesn't seem possible though. Anything outside of that is nothing but bad options, with some being worse than others.

[P_B_&_G]

Agreed, which is why I doubt a trade with the Lakers is possible. Ingram would be a game changer for them however. Or any other team that's one player away.

The best outcome for the Pels would be to keep Zion, and Ingram with them somehow miraculously playing a majority of the NBA schedule. Doesn't seem possible though. Anything outside of that is nothing but bad options, with some being worse than others.

I think one of them has to go. We can probaby get by with one of them on the roster and missing a bunch of time but not both. We just can't survive having both of them out so much. I would lean towards keeping BI as he has been more available and has also been able to show what he can do for extended stretches. Zion, as talented as he is, just hasn't been able to be healthy enough.

Honestly, best case scenario at this point is they both can get back this year, play well together and up their trade values so Griff can maximise any potential trades. I fear if they get healthy and play well he wil be tempted to try and keep the both though if Ingram will take a smaller deal.

[Nichols]

I think one of them has to go. We can probaby get by with one of them on the roster and missing a bunch of time but not both. We just can't survive having both of them out so much. I would lean towards keeping BI as he has been more available and has also been able to show what he can do for extended stretches. Zion, as talented as he is, just hasn't been able to be healthy enough.

Honestly, best case scenario at this point is they both can get back this year, play well together and up their trade values so Griff can maximise any potential trades. I fear if they get healthy and play well he wil be tempted to try and keep the both though if Ingram will take a smaller deal.

Agree with everything stated. We'll see how it plays out.

[JJackisangry]

You try to keep Ingram. You change the coach and see if they can get more out of the players. Play a more modern style and work from there. Status quo has failed. Try something new.

[P_B_&_G]

Status quo has failed. Try something new.

This is the new team slogan for the year.

[Darkhorse985]

Another 3 team deal here…
This leads to a short term extension with Ingram.

Magic get
SG CJ McCullum, PF Jeremiah Robinson Earl, PF Karlo Matkovic

Warriors get
PF Zion Williamson, SF Javonte Green, C Daniel Theis

Pels get
SF Andrew Wiggins, PF Johnathan Kuminga, C Kevin Looney (expiring), C Goga Bitadze, PG Cole Anthony, SG Gary Harris, 2025 Golden State 1st, 2025 Denver 1st via Magic (top 5 protected), 2027 Golden State 1st

Lineups when healthy...

Magic
PG: Suggs/Black/Joseph
SG: McCullum/Caldwell-Pope/Howard
SF: F. Wagner/da Silva/Houstan
PF: Banchero/Issac/JRE
C: Carter Jr/M.Wagner/Matkovic

Warriors
PG: Curry/Schroder
SG: Hield/Podziemski/Waters II
SF: Anderson/PaytonII/J Green
PF: Zion/Moody/Santos
C: D Green/Jackson-Davis/Theis

Pelicans
PG: Murray/Alvarado/Anthony
SG: Ingram/Hawkins/Boston/Reeves
SF: Jones/Murphy/Harris
PF: Wiggins/Kuminga
C: Missi/Bitadze/Looney

[hornetsrebirth]

Ask yourself this: is this proposed trade going to make the Pelicans win more games this year? If so we should not do it. This is a 100 percent a tanking season now.

[Darkhorse985]

Ask yourself this: is this proposed trade going to make the Pelicans win more games this year? If so we should not do it. This is a 100 percent a tanking season now.

Meh… Tanking may get us the 6th pick next year. A trade makes this team’s long term future better. I’d immediately fire Willie Green then promote Borrego after any major trade.

[donato]

Ask yourself this: is this proposed trade going to make the Pelicans win more games this year? If so we should not do it. This is a 100 percent a tanking season now.

agree

[Darkhorse985]

Ask yourself this: is this proposed trade going to make the Pelicans win more games this year? If so we should not do it. This is a 100 percent a tanking season now.

The Spurs/Magic trade proposal does not make the Pels immediately better. The deal allows the Pels to get 1st rounders for both CJ and BI which is a win. CJ likely nets a few wins as strictly a scorer. It is clear that at least one of BI/Zion has to go due to the constant injuries, so a last ditch 1st rounder is better than losing him for nothing.

[hornetsrebirth]

The Spurs/Magic trade proposal does not make the Pels immediately better. The deal allows the Pels to get 1st rounders for both CJ and BI which is a win. CJ likely nets a few wins as strictly a scorer. It is clear that at least one of BI/Zion has to go due to the constant injuries, so a last ditch 1st rounder is better than losing him for nothing.

Maybe. I am fine with blowing this team up, really wanted to see what they could do but the opportunity was squandered by injuries and now it's gone. Trading CJ would likely help us lose more, so if we can get good assets (and not take bad contracts) for him then it's worth it. But the ultimate concern is tanking. I'd rather a top 3 pick than an extra mid/late first rounder. A top 3 pick should result in a cornerstone player you can build the team around while a late first rounder is more likely to be a role player if you're lucky.

[Darkhorse985]

Maybe. I am fine with blowing this team up, really wanted to see what they could do but the opportunity was squandered by injuries and now it's gone. Trading CJ would likely help us lose more, so if we can get good assets (and not take bad contracts) for him then it's worth it. But the ultimate concern is tanking. I'd rather a top 3 pick than an extra mid/late first rounder. A top 3 pick should result in a cornerstone player you can build the team around while a late first rounder is more likely to be a role player if you're lucky.

Being one of the 3 worst teams in the NBA affords the Pels only a 52% of having a top 4 pick…Yes, I too want a top 3 pick, but you can’t build a team on maybe. Superstars=success. If you can’t get those, then obtaining as many assets as possible to eventually obtain superstars is the best you can do. Zion, BI, and CJ have proven that they aren’t winners/superstars.

[ml wave]

Being one of the 3 worst teams in the NBA affords the Pels only a 52% of having a top 4 pick…Yes, I too want a top 3 pick, but you can’t build a team on maybe. Superstars=success. If you can’t get those, then obtaining as many assets as possible to eventually obtain superstars is the best you can do. Zion, BI, and CJ have proven that they aren’t winners/superstars.

"Only" 52% of a top 4 pick...what are our other options, greater than 52%, to get a player of that caliber? Especially considering the (alleged) quality at the top of this year's draft? Plus, if we're one of the 3 worst records, it's a 100% chance of a top 7 pick (or top 6 or top 5, depending on how worst we are).