With Anthony Davis requesting a trade, New Orleans finds themselves in an arduous position. In games without Davis this season, the Pelicans are just 2-7, and as it stands, their remaining core does not appear like a playoff, let alone championship, contender.
New Orleans’ management has made it known that Nikola Mirotic, Julius Randle and E’Twaun Moore are all available for trade. Assuming that Davis is traded or shut down for the remainder of the season, it would behoove the Pelicans to sell. In other words, their best plan of action is to dump their assets for young talents and picks and win as few games as possible in their remaining 32 contests to increase their own lottery odds. So what does each player have to offer, and where might the Pelicans send them?
Nikola Mirotic is an excellent stretch four that should interest a lot of teams. Image courtesy of @NBA on Twitter.
Right now, Mirotic is averaging 16.7 points and 8.7 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game. Any team that traded for him would acquire a quality stretch four that can rebound the basketball and shoot the three at around 37%. He’s making $12.5 million this year, though he is an expiring contract, meaning that teams looking to dump salary (and likely a pick) to have more salary this offseason might be enticed.
Randle is the best asset of the three, as he averages 19.9 points, 9.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game on 54.4% shooting. Furthermore, he’s extremely affordable with a cap hit of just over $9 million next season. Anyone that trades for him would acquire a quality big man on an affordable contract for both this season and the next.
While E’Twaun Moore isn’t the biggest name, he is a solid wing that shoots the three at 41.7%. Image courtesy of Shanna Lockwood of USA Today Sports.
While Moore is the least exciting name of the three, he is a quality wing that could greatly aid any team looking for shooting. He averages 12.3 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game, and shoots the three at a 41.7% clip. His contract is solid for a shooter of his caliber, roughly $8.8 million this season and $8.66 million the next.
Why the 76ers do it: This is essentially a salary swap for a forward that shoots the three and rebounds better
Why the Pelicans do it: Acquire a first round pick for an expiring contract
Why the Hornets do it: Massive upgrades at both the center spot and the power forward spot, unload over $76 million of dead cap.
Why the Pelicans do it: Two first-round picks, although Batum’s albatross of a contract is rather undesirable. Alternatively, could ask for one of Bismack Biyombo, Cody Zeller or Marvin Williams to take on less salary, as well as Frank Kaminsky (to match salaries) and a first-round pick.
Why the Clippers do it: Gallinari is rather injury prone and Mirotic provides similar shooting and better rebounding at the forward spot. Additionally, Randle is a massive upgrade inside.
Why the Pelicans do it: Gallinari is an excellent player when he isn’t injured. Given his injury history however, New Orleans may require a pick to sweeten the deal.
Why the Blazers do it: Moore and Mirotic greatly improve their shooting, and Randle is a solid pickup to either play alongside Jusuf Nurkic or to play huge minutes from the bench. Additionally, Portland saves about $11 million for next season which is huge for a team in the luxury tax.
Why the Pelicans do it: Two first round picks are huge, and Turner and Harkless can fill minutes next season while the Pelicans retool.
Why the Nets do it: Big upgrade at the power forward position and having either Randle or Jarrett Allen off of the bench would greatly bolster their rotation.
Why the Pelicans do it: This trade is essentially a first round pick for Randle, as Crabbe and Mirotic are expiring deals. Crabbe does have a player option for next year, in which case the Pelicans may want a second rounder in exchange for taking on the additional money.
Why the Mavs do it: Massive upgrades at both the center and power forward spots.
Why the Pelicans do it: A solid player in Barnes, and a first-round pick.
It might be far too soon to give up on Hayward, but with the caliber of free agents available this offseason, it may be in the Celtics best interest to clear the books a bit and bolster their roster at the same time.
Why the Celtics do it: While this trade sounds ridiculous at first, the salaries match nearly perfectly, and both teams stand to profit. Hayward has not performed well for the Celtics, and his contract occupies over $30 million for the next three years. Dumping his contract creates space for one of the many top tier free agents available this summer. Furthermore, Mirotic, Randle and Moore would make an already solid Boston bench arguably the best in the league.
Why the Pelicans do it: Gordon Hayward was one of the best in the league just a couple years ago for the Utah Jazz. While his recent play makes this a potentially risky move, if he returns to form, then New Orleans has a great core with Jrue Holiday and Hayward.
Stats courtesy of http://stats.nba.com
Featured image courtesy of Getty Images
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