Originally Posted by
UNPELIEVABLE
I think a three team deal with Atlanta and Sacramento could be beneficial for all involved.
I would propose:
Atlanta: Favors, our 2020 2nd and Washington's 2020 2nd
Kings: Brooklyns lotto protected 1st (via ATL), Moore, Frank, Miller, Cleveland's top ten protected 1st.
Pelicans: Bogdanovic, Dedmon
Atlanta gets a hometown starting caliber center that they know can make an impact on a young team. The can resign for a reasonable price this summer. All they have to do is exchange a mid/late first for two decent seconds. They have been shopping for defensive anchors who can't shoot. Favors will be less expensive than Drummond, Adams, or Capela and can hit a mid-range jumper.
Kings make the deal because they get a cheap young shooter/prospect (Frank), a first this year and two valuable seconds (Cavs 2nds 21/22), Miller/Moore (relatively cheap shooters/vets) that can be expirings or resigned/kept. They trade away a wing who they won't pay this summer and a big who is making $13 mil and not playing because they have too many young bigs.
The Pelicans get a starting caliber shooting card who can flat out shoot the ball, operate in PNR, has a ton of experience NBA/Euro, and can replace Jrue on a much cheaper contract. Dedmon offers slightly worse defense than Fav but much better fit offensively. He hit 38% of his threes last year with Atlanta and is going to be less expensive than Favors. He is only under contract through next year with a team option for 21 so he can be used as an expiring next year or or the year after depending on how we feel about the development of Zion, Hayes, and any other bigs we may acquire via draft or trade.
I really value Bogdanovic's game next to Zo/BI/Zion. Jrue has been great, but is an inconsistent scorer/shooter, always has been. He's expensive now and will be even more expensive if through some miracle he opted out and resigned with us in 2021. I would take less than fair trade value to move him to a contender in the east (heat,nets,raptors,Boston) and if he doesn't remain there long term or win a championship, I would induct him into Pelicans HOF.
Your core would be:
Zo/Ingram/Zion. (Hayes/Bogdanovic can fit into this category or the next)
Players with potential to be core pieces or trade bait to add to core:
Hart, NAW, 2020 1st Rd pick
Vets: JJ, Dedmon,Melli,MLE free agent
This is a very solid team in addition to whatever we get in a Jrue trade, our stash of Lakers picks and owning all of our future picks.