Pelicans finalizing trade for Asik

[RaisingTheBar]

Dell Demps turned five first round picks

2012 - NOP
2012 - MIN
2013 - NOP
2014 - NOP
2015 - NOP

Into one franchise cornerstone (Davis), two quality starters (Holiday, Asik), and one quality rotation player (Rivers). So he's batting .800 in the first round. How many NBA GM's kill for that?

Nice post.

[PelsFan2313]

That or...maybe another move that acquires a mid-round pick and we take Elfrid Payton...

That would actually be pretty good assuming we trade Rivers...

[NOSportsFan]

I would have to say rivers..Yes his athleticism is only going to get better...But that ugly floaters he always takes on the drive means he spends no time working on a jumpshot... He isn't really a PG cause he avgs 2.3 APG...And only 7.7 PPG.... He's a work in progress that I believe another team should deal with...I didn't like the pick when we took it...Don't like it now.... I like Aminu because he's one of your more athletic defenders even though he doesn't score and his jumpshot looks like pure ugly. Ill take 7 and 7 from the 3 spot if his defense is good. Offense can come in later...

[da ThRONe]

Dell Demps turned five first round picks

2012 - NOP
2012 - MIN
2013 - NOP
2014 - NOP
2015 - NOP

Into one franchise cornerstone (Davis), two quality starters (Holiday, Asik), and one quality rotation player (Rivers). So he's batting .800 in the first round. How many NBA GM's kill for that?

Great now we are cap strap and no legitimate basketball mind would say we are a lock for the playoffs even if healthy. We will have to re-sign Asik as early as next year or we gave a pick away for basically cap space. Holiday has to play consistently and avoid any set backs from the injury last year. Plus Rivers or Anderson will likely be cap casualties just to have enough players to field a complete roster.

Yeah not sure how many GM's are killing to be in this situation, but I haven't polled any of them so who knows.

[DroopyDawg]

Are you really concerned about the Rockets ever winning a championship if they would have Harden and Carmelo playing defense, I mean, supposed to be playing defense? I'm not. They'd be known as the Olè Brothers.

There's two sides of the BB court, as they say.

Melo shoots too much and doesn't defender. I hope he does go to Houston. They're losing better/cheaper players than they're getting. Howard wasn't much of an upgrade over Asik. And I'd take Parsons over Melo (efficiency).

[MichaelMcNamara]

Great now we are cap strap and no legitimate basketball mind would say we are a lock for the playoffs even if healthy. We will have to re-sign Asik as early as next year or we gave a pick away for basically cap space. Holiday has to play consistently and avoid any set backs from the injury last year. Plus Rivers or Anderson will likely be cap casualties just to have enough players to field a complete roster.

Yeah not sure how many GM's are killing to be in this situation, but I haven't polled any of them so who knows.

Let me ask you this - If Gordon is off the team - just magically gone, how would you view our team and assets. Core 4 plus Asik, Rivers, Ajinca, Withey, Pierre plus about 12-14 mil in cap room.

I know he is not magically gone, but I am curious. My point being that if you remove the only trade I hate that Dell made, would he have not built one of the youngest, deepest, most flexible rosters with an opportunity to add even more?

I still think he made one huge mistake. Throw that away and it has been borderline great and would be viewed as such if not for the one huge error.

[RekeHavoc]

I guess - but trades rely on two parties. So even if we are trying something, and that is legit, that is more of an unknown than the absolute fact that the salary cap dictates that we can not have the Finishing 5, Rivers, and Asik on the books.

I would think that is more fire, our attempt at a trade more smoke.

Yeah to be fair, all I know is that we were pursuing this deal. If I had to bet, I think a Rivers deal would probably be more likely as it's a lot simpler. As MM said it's likely going to come down to Ryan and Austin and it is a fact that one of those 6 guys has to be traded.

We'll see what happens, but what MM is saying is definitely more than speculation or guessing, honestly it's the most likely outcome.

[MichaelMcNamara]

Yeah to be fair, all I know is that we were pursuing this deal. If I had to bet, I think a Rivers deal would probably be more likely as it's a lot simpler. As MM said it's likely going to come down to Ryan and Austin and it is a fact that one of those 6 guys has to be traded.

We'll see what happens, but what MM is saying is definitely more than speculation or guessing, honestly it's the most likely outcome.

Exactly. You know what Dell might be trying to do, but you dont know inside the other teams' war room. So your info could be dead on and that deal might never materialize. Meanwhile, the numbers are the numbers. No speculation there.

[Eman5805]

It tracks through logic that we wouldn't make a trade like this if we didn't already have the accompanying moves in place. So I wonder if it's hinging on the draft tonight, same as with Philly. Like if X player is still at X spot, that guy becomes ours for a swap of Austin, Gordon, or whatever we need to move to allow the Asik acquisition to fall through.

[MichaelMcNamara]

It tracks through logic that we wouldn't make a trade like this if we didn't already have the accompanying moves in place. So I wonder if it's hinging on the draft tonight, same as with Philly. Like if X player is still at X spot, that guy becomes ours for a swap of Austin, Gordon, or whatever we need to move to allow the Asik acquisition to fall through.

Exactly - there is a fail safe option in place. My dream is that the fail safe is, "Well if we cant move Gordon or get good value for Rivers, we can always buyout and stretch Gordon."

That is my lone dream right now.

[da ThRONe]

Let me ask you this - If Gordon is off the team - just magically gone, how would you view our team and assets. Core 4 plus Asik, Rivers, Ajinca, Withey, Pierre plus about 12-14 mil in cap room.

I know he is not magically gone, but I am curious. My point being that if you remove the only trade I hate that Dell made, would he have not built one of the youngest, deepest, most flexible rosters with an opportunity to add even more?

I still think he made one huge mistake. Throw that away and it has been borderline great and would be viewed as such if not for the one huge error.

Clearly a lot better than I do with Gordon on the roster.

I still don't know if this is as great of a roster some seem to think it is, but it gives us a chance to let guys gel and build. As of now it has become do or die this season. So while I would say no Gordon takes my level of concern from a A+ to a B- I still wouldn't be sold if the goal is title contender.

[Perth_Hornet]

If there is a God, please may he find us a suitor for Gordon. We've suffered enough already.

[MichaelMcNamara]

Clearly a lot better than I do with Gordon on the roster.

I still don't know if this is as great of a roster some seem to think it is, but it gives us a chance to let guys gel and build. As of now it has become do or die this season. So while I would say no Gordon takes my level of concern from a A+ to a B- I still wouldn't be sold if the goal is title contender.

Okay, that is fair I guess. Especially since you dont see AD as a future MVP candidate.

I still see him as one Gordon move away from having built a monster of a team. Use Gordon's salary to either add depth or one more very good piece and that team is unbelieveable IMO. Could have the best backcourt in the league and best 4/5 three man trio. Would have Gordon's money to get a SF. All that is missing for me

[HornetGuru]

MM, give me a percent on who gets traded tonight, ryno, gordon, rivers?

I'd say
50% Ryno
35% Rivers
15% Gordon

[Eman5805]

Let's cut da_Throne some slack. A playoff lock in the Western Conference means we're in the 3rd to 6th range. We could still make the playoffs this year as a 7th or 8th seed, but by pure definition, that wouldn't be locks. One bad week to end the season and on the outside looking in just like the Timberwolves.

[rezburna]

If we move Jrue or Tyreke to clear cap space that's basically one of them for Asik, which is a L. Dell Demps isn't stupid. Phoenix was willing to pay Gordon all that money, maybe they'll take him now. Gerald Green for Eric Gordon? It'll all work out. We just need to stay healthy to see what this team can accomplish.

[Sujaguar00]

Clearly a lot better than I do with Gordon on the roster.

I still don't know if this is as great of a roster some seem to think it is, but it gives us a chance to let guys gel and build. As of now it has become do or die this season. So while I would say no Gordon takes my level of concern from a A+ to a B- I still wouldn't be sold if the goal is title contender.

I'm curious Throne, what would you have done differently?

[RaisingTheBar]

Is this suppose to be a response/rebuttal? Are insults your way to combat logic you can't refute?

It's not an insult, I'm just tried of everything you post on this site being 100% negative. If anyone didn't know you they would think you hated the Pelicans. I'm sure those that know you still question it. No move will ever make you satisfied.

[HornetGuru]

If we move Jrue or Tyreke to clear cap space that's basically one of them for Asik, which is a L. Dell Demps isn't stupid. Phoenix was willing to pay Gordon all that money, maybe they'll take him now. Gerald Green for Eric Gordon? It'll all work out. We just need to stay healthy to see what this team can accomplish.

jrue or tyreke will absolutely not be moved, and if one of them is, it won't be for cap space, it will be for a good player or a high pick.

[HornetGuru]

MM, give me a percent on who gets traded tonight, ryno, gordon, rivers?

I'd say
50% Ryno
35% Rivers
15% Gordon

MM I NEED ANSWERS! ARGGGH

[Eman5805]

jrue or tyreke will absolutely not be moved, and if one of them is, it won't be for cap space, it will be for a good player or a high pick.

Andrew Wiggins, come on down! You're the next contestant on the America's Next Top Contender!

[RaisingTheBar]

If we move Jrue or Tyreke to clear cap space that's basically one of them for Asik, which is a L. Dell Demps isn't stupid. Phoenix was willing to pay Gordon all that money, maybe they'll take him now. Gerald Green for Eric Gordon? It'll all work out. We just need to stay healthy to see what this team can accomplish.

There's no way AD, Holiday or Evans are moved right now. You can take that to the bank.

[HornetGuru]

Andrew Wiggins, come on down! You're the next contestant on the America's Next Top Contender!

Don't tease me

[RekeHavoc]

MM, give me a percent on who gets traded tonight, ryno, gordon, rivers?

I'd say
50% Ryno
35% Rivers
15% Gordon

I'd go Rivers 60%, Ryan 30%, Gordon 10% even though I think there would need to be other moves in order to move Gordon.

[HornetGuru]

There's no way AD, Holiday or Evans are moved right now. You can take that to the bank.

agreed, AD is untouchable, we gave up too much for jrue, tyreke is the only possible one, but i still give it a 10%