re: Jrue, Tatum, and Randle

I don’t have any problems with Randle in a long term contract as long as the Pelicans find a big to cover his weaknesses on the defensive end. You’re not going to find a lot of bigs in the league who can play bully ball as well as Randle. If they feel he can fit into their vision, I have absolutely no problem keeping him if he wants to be here.

I agree with covering Randles weakness on defense. Regardless of what happens, i want a good rim protector to go with our more than likely very good perimeter defenders next year after the Boston trade.
I think one of the Lopez brothers would go great with Randle.
Would really love to bring back Robin. Veteran leader that helps bring that passion and toughness to a team.

Vucevic has been brought up a few times in different threads and most people aren't big on bringing him in. I have no idea how much he is going to cost, and i woud'nt want to pay him $20m/yr+, but he's a really good somewhat young center (Jrue's age 28). He plays on one of the worst defensive teams in the league but still has decent defensive stats as a big.

Jokic signed for 5/148 average of $28M/yr
Gobert signed for 4/102 average of $25M/yr
Adams signed for 4/100 average of $25M/yr
Capela signed for 4/90 average of $18M/yr
Valanciunas signed for 4/64 average of $16M/yr
Nurkic signed for 4/48 average of $12M/yr

I don't think he's in the realm of Jokic obviously, or Gobert and Adams defense, but there's a big gap between $25M/yr Adams/Gobert and the other decent centers making less. There's actually no center in the NBA making inbetween that $18-$25m range. If we could get him for 4/60ish, i'd be interested. A sign and trade with Solo would be wonderful. Give them one or more of those many 2nds we have for their troubles.
Vucevic is having a quiet big year in his last year of his contract. His assits have gone up every year and is around 4 this year, averaging 20/12 this year and shooting 38% from 3.

I would have zero problem with Noel. Would love a rim protector/runner like that over a traditional center like Vucevic.
Problem is how you gonna get Noel to come here?

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Convince me that that team is worth rolling with because I don't see it

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wont hear it from me...
i have two questions for any new contracts

1) can he shoot?
2) can he play team defense?

Randle can space the floor with his mid range game and he’s an occasional threat behind the arc. You’re giving Randle very little credit for what he can do on the offensive end. Finding a Combo guard who can space the floor isn’t hard. Besides, Randle does a swell job in traffic even when the lanes are clogged. Spacing shouldn’t even be an issue in Gentry’s system.

As you know the pels have had issues shooting 3s in recent times but hasn't stopped them from being top 5 in most metrics

I don't see Randle as the space killer some are making him out to be and he's shooting a career high from all areas while taking many many more 3s

He's only 24 and it stands to reason he'll improve further

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don't see Randle as the space killer some are making him out to be

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It's not so much that he can't help an offense, it's at what cost if he's a centerpiece player on your team?

He needs the ball. He can score and get his, can he get other guys good looks? What does he do to help if you land a better option and he isn't getting touches?

You need to play another big/rim protector to cover for him on defense. That other big probably needs to be able to shoot 3s at a decent clip or else he's in Randles space. Maybe you can outscore teams to get to late April ball, but you're going nowhere serious in the playoffs if you can't defend.

Lowe/Arnovitz pod today was fascinating on a number of topics from a GM's job being managing the owner, to is it worth paying a big 1/3 of your cap in the modern NBA, to Lakers are grease fire organization, to Lowe touching on Randle and maybe looking to sell his house on Randle island

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guy is a pretty damn good passer for a big and hustles very well

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Right. Is that enough to talk about him as a member of a big 3 on even a good team?

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pels to draft a big that can defend and shoot like you said

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This is hard to do. Building around a PF, who won't slide up to the 5 effectively, in the modern game is so difficult because those types of 5s are rare. Becoming more common but it will take time. Much easier to find a rim protector/roll man and surround him with 4 wings/guards.

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take a page out of other successful small markets like Indy/DEN/UTA

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I agree. What are some of the lessons they should copy?

Agree. And even though I don't want to spend any money this summer, I would offer Niko because a Jrue-Tatum-Niko core makes so much more sense to me than a Jrue-Tatum-Randle core