We may be in trouble

[morsatun]

I know a lot of people are excited about the next season, and expect the Pelicans to be competitive, (may be not play off favorites, but 8 spot candidates at least). Nevertheless, no matter how much I think about it, I can see us improving, but not that much. I will explain why:

There are 3 main positions that need upgrading:Second forward, Point guard and Center (in that order in my opinion, but not by much). Being realistic, we could have a relatively successful season if we substantially upgrade any two of these 3. In other words, we could do well with Aminu in the second forward, if we get a great center and a solid PG, we can do well with Vasquez as PG if we get a great Center and a solid second forward, and we could do well with Lopez as center if we get a great PG and a solid power forward.

Unfortunately, given our 6th pick, what we have to offer and what is available via trade, I cannot see us upgrading two of those three positions, without compromising else ware.

I elaborate:

The best we could do with our 6 is to get Burke or Oladipo (if we are really lucky). Now if we get Burke, that would mean an upgrade in PG, and he will most likely be the starter, So we than would only have either Lopez and Vasquez to offer for a good center, or Aminu and Vasquez to offer for a good second forward. I do not see anyone trading a good center or Power forward for either of those two packages.

If we take Oladipo in the draft, then we could offer Vasquez and Aminu for a good PG or Lopez and Aminu for a good center, again it seems hard to believe that a team would give us an elite player for either of these two packages (although Lopez and Aminu may just be enough).

Finally if we try to trade our sixth pick, we basically would either offer Aminu, Vasquez and the 6th to get a PG and a second forward, Lopez Vasquez and the sixth to get a center and a PG, or Aminu Lopez and the 6th to get a center and a second forward, none of this packages look good enough to me for us to get our 2 upgrades.

So in my opinion the most likely scenario is that we upgrade one of the 3 positions, and get an extra player for one of the other two but no a clear update. In which case, as I said, we may do better than last year, but most likely not make it to the playoffs.

[Pelicans78]

Davis is our PF next season. We're not upgrading at PF with Davis and Anderson.

I do agree about Center, SF, and PG. We need upgrades at those spots. SG if Gordon doesn't bounce back.

[PowerPel]

Did I read right? Upgrade over Davis?

[RUFshreve]

Are you meaning small forward? Cause I can't believe someone could actually think PF is our biggest weakness.

[morsatun]

[QUOTE=PowerPel;1082994]Did I read right? Upgrade over Davis?
You are right, I was talking about small forward

[kinglio21093]

It's a rebuild. And a rebuild is a process. People actually thought we'd be competing for a playoff spot last year and took each game too seriously, and the performance of players too seriously. I do think we'll be in a better position this upcoming season but I still think we'll miss the playoffs. I think the season after this next one will finally be our calling card.

Our team certainly needs upgrading, but our PF position is FAR from needing upgrading. I think for Center, Lopez should be fine. I have no issue with him playing out his contract, because he's a solid player and good for our young guys because RoLo does have some playoff experience.

[PowerPel]

[QUOTE=morsatun;1082997]

Did I read right? Upgrade over Davis?
You are right, I was talking about small forward

Thanks for fixing that

[GESWhoseBack]

It's a rebuild. And a rebuild is a process. People actually thought we'd be competing for a playoff spot last year and took each game too seriously, and the performance of players too seriously. I do think we'll be in a better position this upcoming season but I still think we'll miss the playoffs. I think the season after this next one will finally be our calling card.

Our team certainly needs upgrading, but our PF position is FAR from needing upgrading. I think for Center, Lopez should be fine. I have no issue with him playing out his contract, because he's a solid player and good for our young guys because RoLo does have some playoff experience.

Lopez is not fine. He just not the worst. He can definitely be upgraded in this draft so OP, why is there no draft a C options?

[PowerPel]

We will be alright. Dell Demps has this under control. Patience.

[GeauxPelicans]

SF will be addressed in FA. U must be forgetting about the 15-23 million we have to spend in FA depending on whose options we pick up.

[kinglio21093]

Lopez is not fine. He just not the worst. He can definitely be upgraded in this draft so OP, why is there no draft a C options?

For someone who's averaging 12 ppg, he's fine for our teams situation. The only way I'm OK with parting ways with him if there's a good trade. Otherwise, let him play out his contract. He's been a pleasant surprise for us. He may not be the BEST option, but he's serviceable enough that he can play for us. There aren't good enough prospects to pick a Center at 6. I'm not sold on Alex Len so let's go for either SF or PG.

[Pelicans78]

Lopez is fine overall, but his lack of rebounding and overall defense will hurt long-term. He's pretty effcient offensively which makes him passable as a starter.

[donato]

We can't offer Aminu in a trade. He is an UFA.

[tyler]

tbh as much as I want too I dont see us making the playoffs... If you look at all of the western playoffs teams are all pretty damn good...

[cki3915]

Lopez is also reletively cheap for a player of his ability.

This team needs:

1. Eric Gordon to play a full season and care.
2. Anthony Davis to stay healthy and get stronger and better with a mid range jumper
3. A second scoring option other than Gordon, preferably a small forward.
4. Rivers to play like his last week, not the rest of his season.
5. Depth everywhere.

[cgrand]

Lopez is also reletively cheap for a player of his ability.

This team needs:

1. Eric Gordon to play a full season and care.
2. Anthony Davis to stay healthy and get stronger and better with a mid range jumper
3. A second scoring option other than Gordon, preferably a small forward.
4. Rivers to play like his last week, not the rest of his season.
5. Depth everywhere.

add perimeter defense and getting to the foul line, and the dynamite goes boom
good post

[iNolaNightmare]

Lopez is also reletively cheap for a player of his ability.

This team needs:

1. Eric Gordon to play a full season and care.
2. Anthony Davis to stay healthy and get stronger and better with a mid range jumper
3. A second scoring option other than Gordon, preferably a small forward.
4. Rivers to play like his last week, not the rest of his season.
5. Depth everywhere.

Thank you for this. This is very attainable, IMO.


To the OP, you have earned the nickname of "chicken little" in my book.

[42]

We can't offer Aminu in a trade. He is an UFA.

We can sign and trade him, most certainly.

[donato]

Well, that's true...

[Davisistheman]

Well since we're speculating, you forgot the scenario where the Pelicans draft Alex Len, and trade Vasquez and Lopez for a starting PG like a Bledsoe and use their FA money on a SF like Brewer or Budinger.

Things are never so black/white, especially with Dell Demps and Mickey Loomis stiring the caldren on magic spells. Mickey has proven to be a salary cap Guru and had pulled off some unbelivable trades & contracts for the Saints.

[ml wave]

We can sign and trade him, most certainly.

Considering the most we could sign Aminu for is considerably less than the mid-level, it's hard to imagine a scenario where a sign and trade lands us anything substantial. Maybe a serviceable player with a big contract, but why would we want that?

[Purple Haze]

Well since we're speculating, you forgot the scenario where the Pelicans draft Alex Len, and trade Vasquez and Lopez for a starting PG like a Bledsoe and use their FA money on a SF like Brewer or Budinger.

Things are never so black/white, especially with Dell Demps and Mickey Loomis stiring the caldren on magic spells. Mickey has proven to be a salary cap Guru and had pulled off some unbelivable trades & contracts for the Saints.

Bledsoe/Rivers
Gordon/Mason
Brewer/Miller
Davis/Anderson
Len/Smith

Wow what a roster change in one offseason. Wow.