re: Would the Pelicans have been better off with Nerlens Noel?

quote:

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There are just way to many variables for this to be a constructive conversation, without setting parameters as the op did.

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And one of those variables is time. Everyone questioned Demps' moves last year but they were judging the moves by how they paid off in 2013. It seemed pretty clear to me that the only way the moves made sense was if 2015 was your target for judgement day. I do question whether we even intend to target a $10+ million player at SF, but if Gordon opts out and the cap keeps rising, you could see the Pelicans go after Jimmy Butler like the Mavs stole Parsons. I don't think it's that realistic, but if the 2015 roster is:

Holiday/Smith
Tyreke/Rivers
RFA SF/Salmons
AD/Ryno
Asik/Withey

I really don't see how anyone would still be pining away for Noel/Payton and more lottery picks.