Throwing this idea out there

[Pelican589]

This is all based on if we draft a PG, say Trey Burke for the sake of argument.

If we draft Burke, it means Vasquez's days are numbered in New Orleans. He's earned one of the 30 starting jobs based on his performance this past year and I don't think he will want to stick around as a backup. This means it is time for Dell to sell on Greivis while he still has value. Here's my proposal:

If there is a quality big man prospect sitting there at 12 for OKC, hopefully Alex Len, have OKC draft him and give them Greivis and maybe something else of little value to them for his draft rights.

OKC benefits because they could use someone to distribute the ball like Vasquez and I believe it would really open the floor up for Westbrook and Durant.

We benefit long run because we have a guy that can develop in a small role while we still have Lopez. It may push our playoff expectations back a year, but I think it puts us in a better position for long term success.

Thoughts? Vasquez (and change if necessary) for the #12 pick?

[Sovereign]

He'd back up Westbrook in OKC instead of backing up Burke here?

[Pelican589]

No, Westbrook is more of a shooter. Vasquez would bring them a passing threat to their offense. I think he and Westbrook could work in the same backcourt. If OKC wouldn't do that trade, maybe someone else would.

[smcgull]

I think he was saying Vasquez would start at PG for OKC, and Westbrook would be the SG and Durant the SF.

[nolaslim213]

I'd rather do Vasquez for Lamb straight up, but I like the idea of sending Vasquez to OKC while his value is high. He can play PG while Westbrook plays some SG for them. They need another facilitator on that team.

We could even do something like Vasquez and Lopez for Lamb and Sefalosha + the #12. They need more length in the post, and Lopez is a perfect rotational guy for them - much better than some #12 pick that they have to develop. They'd be willing to pay a little more because they are in "win-now" mode. Re-sign KMart, and they are looking real good.

Come the trade deadline, we could flip Sefalosha to a playoff team looking for a great wing-defender. He's 29 and expiring, so he's not much use to us, but we could get a 2014 1st round pick out of the deal if we play our cards right. Draft Otto Porter or Shabazz at #6, and take a project like Dennis Schroeder or Rudy Gobert at #12.

[nolaslim213]

He'd back up Westbrook in OKC instead of backing up Burke here?

Westbrook is better as a SG than a PG, IMO. He doesn't have the vision, and you can actually hear his teammates yelling at him on offense to pass the ball sometimes haha.

[BallSoHard]

Westbrook or Durant do not work well without the ball in their hands. This would make GV a poor spot up shooter. Example: see failed Kobe and Nash experiment.

[Pelican589]

I think he was saying Vasquez would start at PG for OKC, and Westbrook would be the SG and Durant the SF.

This is exactly what I'm saying

[jsl05]

They like the defense Thabo brings to take pressure off Westbrook. Vasquez would only be used in a Westbrook/Vasquez/Sefolosha lineup or a Vasquez/Sefolosha/Durant lineup, and I don't think that's worth the 12th pick. They also have Reggie Jackson.

[nolaslim213]

Westbrook or Durant do not work well without the ball in their hands. This would make GV a poor spot up shooter. Example: see failed Kobe and Nash experiment.

Durant's really good off the ball IMO. Westbrook needs the ball, but the offensive ball-movement suffers because of it.

[BallSoHard]

Durant's really good off the ball IMO. Westbrook needs the ball, but the offensive ball-movement suffers because of it.

It does but i doubt they're not going to take the ball out of his hands to put it in vasquez's is all I'm saying. Westbrook isn't going to excel in that role and I doubt they'll do anything he won't excel with.

[tdcreator]

I don't think OKC can take on any more contracts without something going out. They'll be around 10 mill over the cap so I'm sure we'd have to take Perkins. I'd give them Vasquez and Lopez for Perkins, 12, and either another pick or one of their young players. With that kind of move they should save about 5 or 6 mill.

I'd hope we could flip Perkins for something else. It's a pipe dream Ive been thinking about. At 12 get the best center to mature behind Perkins.

[Mythrol]

If this playoff taught them anything it's that Westbrook is needed on this team. Anything involving Westbrook taking a lesser role is something I don't think OKC does. Taking the ball out of his hands to put it in anyone other than Durant's won't work.

[Mythrol]

I don't think OKC can take on any more contracts without something going out. They'll be around 10 mill over the cap so I'm sure we'd have to take Perkins. I'd give them Vasquez and Lopez for Perkins, 12, and either another pick or one of their young players. With that kind of move they should save about 5 or 6 mill.

I'd hope we could flip Perkins for something else. It's a pipe dream Ive been thinking about. At 12 get the best center to mature behind Perkins.

Perkins can just be amnestied.

[GeauxPelicans]

From Rotoworld:

Sources tell the Times-Picayune that the Pelicans like the idea of pairing Michigan PG Trey Burke with Greivis Vasquez.
The Hornets hold the No. 6 overall pick in June's draft. If they think Vasquez is capable of playing the shooting guard spot, they can try to trade Eric Gordon and target Burke in the draft. They also have Austin Rivers, last year's disappointing No. 10 pick, on the roster. Still, the bigger hole for the Pelicans is at small forward, where starter Al-Farouq Aminu is a free agent.

Vasquez at SG would be an epic fail. Hoping this is a false rumor.

[Emilio]

I learned today that we can't amnesty Perkins, or any other player we trade for.

[GeauxPelicans]

Perkins can just be amnestied.

If a player is traded he can't be amnestied. Only way a player can be amnestied is if he is still on the team that signed him to his current contract and it was signed before the lockout.

[BallSoHard]

If a player is traded he can't be amnestied. Only way a player can be amnestied is if he is still on the team that signed him to his current contract and it was signed before the lockout.

Right, except Perkins can still be amnestied by the thunder.

[NMThreeMVP]

From Rotoworld:

Sources tell the Times-Picayune that the Pelicans like the idea of pairing Michigan PG Trey Burke with Greivis Vasquez.
The Hornets hold the No. 6 overall pick in June's draft. If they think Vasquez is capable of playing the shooting guard spot, they can try to trade Eric Gordon and target Burke in the draft. They also have Austin Rivers, last year's disappointing No. 10 pick, on the roster. Still, the bigger hole for the Pelicans is at small forward, where starter Al-Farouq Aminu is a free agent.

Vasquez at SG would be an epic fail. Hoping this is a false rumor.

Sounds like a smokescreen ...Pelicans want a team to trade up for Burke.

[NMThreeMVP]

Right, except Perkins can still be amnestied by the thunder.

It was said that he's an important locker room guy for them, and they can't afford to pay him NOT to play for them. If they amnesty him, they still have to pay him.

[BallSoHard]

It was said that he's an important locker room guy for them, and they can't afford to pay him NOT to play for them. If they amnesty him, they still have to pay him.

I never said they should or shouldn't.

[GeauxPelicans]

Right, except Perkins can still be amnestied by the thunder.

Correct, if I mis read the original post and that was the plan my apologies.

[BallSoHard]

Correct, if I mis read the original post and that was the plan my apologies.

Ahh u were thinking he was saying the hornets could.

[Mythrol]

Correct, if I mis read the original post and that was the plan my apologies.

Oh dang no. I meant why would the thunder give up anything to move Perkins when they can just amnesty him? If the owner hasn't made enough money on just Durant jerseys to cover a Perkins amnesty then I have SERIOUS concerns about the future of the Thunder. I you run the Thunder you do everything in your power to keep your team on top, if the leadership doesn't have enough foresight to see ow spending 9mil now is better than giving away prospects then that's a big issue. A very big issue.

[Eman5805]

Sounds like a smokescreen ...Pelicans want a team to trade up for Burke.

I hope it's more of a smokescreen that'll let us trade Vasquez instead or something weird. Vasquez only gets by with the ball. Off ball he's a non-factor unless he's playing the 3.