re: Official 2018 Pelicans Offseason Thread

I’m all for more competition, if it really gets that slanted to one conference they’ll do something to the playoff format.

Move us and Memphis to the east.

Add Seattle and Las Vegas teams to the west. Easy!

Frick the entire east vs west thing just take the best 16 teams.

I think they will start with baby steps and seed the top 8 from each conference 1-16 in the playoffs. Can’t have the Lakers and Warriors meet in the conference finals if Lebron and Kawhi end up there.

If we give up cousins I expect to get Randle

quote:

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If we give up cousins I expect to get Randle

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Cousins for Randle makes sense for both sides if Boogie to LA happens.

It’s down to CLE or LA with PHI a very very distant third.

In other news, CHA did not tender Treveon Graham. 6’6” shooting guard with some bulk (220lbs) to guard up that interests me for the Pels if we have any portion of the MLE to spend. Could grow into a 3&D glue guy.

Would love to lock up a bargain long term.

Just an update on a few things as the offseason begins:

There is a growing contingency inside the Pels organization that won't mind if Boogie walks. They have two offers to him on the table and have let it be known that the offers don't get better. And depending on how things go if he chooses to wait and play things out, the offer could get worse.

Rondo also has an offer on the table. But the team is not waiting on them. They have shifted focus to a meeting they have set up at 12:01 on July 1st. Not a big name guy at all, but someone they feel can help.

The general thinking in the organization is that the extensions to Dell and Gentry have given them some room to not just think about next year. Worst case scenario: Both Rondo and Boogie walk and they bring in some hungry guys for a year and they think they can still be a 50 win team with Jrue playing like an All Star and AD playing like an MVP.

Then, you can go into next summer with a ton of room if you can give away Moore and/or attach a pick to Hill. Again, that's the worst case scenario.

The job security for Dell and Gentry is huge because it allows them to be more patient than they have been the last few years. If they can bring Rondo and Boogie back short term at reasonable priced, short deals, cool. If not, you can still be very good and can go all out next summer, selling the opportunity to play with AD and potentially an All Star in Jrue if his playoff performance was a sign of things to come.

I know people will ask two questions, so I will answer here so I don't have to respond:

1. What would I like to see them do?

My dream would be Boogie and Moore to Wiz, Beal to Pels, and J Smith and Ajinca to a 3rd team with cash and 2nds. Then, you use tax payer on Jerami Grant. Bring back Clark and maybe add another vet guard on the minimum.

Jrue-Beal-Hill-Mirotic-AD

Clark-Jackson (or vet) - Miller- Grant - Diallo -Okafor

Yes, Jrue technically goes back to "point guard" but Beal can handle and create. Hill can handle, and you can also run 3 guard lineups with Clark. I love Grant. Probably my favorite free agent in the price category we will spend. Great FT rate, hustles like crazy on both ends. I think he can become respectable from the corners if need be. On-off splits are great. Just love him as a fit. I would love that team, though it would need either Frank Jackson to be respectable or it would need a quality guard to sign for the minimum. Both possible, but unlikely.

2. How do I think this will play out?

Boogie signs either a two year deal or a 1+1 for between 50-58 million. Rondo does a 1+1 for 2 years/8 million. Pels sign Glenn Robinson III or Joe Harris for tax payer. They also sign an American player who is playing overseas, a la Darius last year. They keep Okafor, with the likelihood they cut him before his contract becomes fully guaranteed January 10th. They basically use him while Boogie is rehabbing, then cut him once Boogie is back and playing. They also bring Clark back with a 20% raise.

Rondo-Jrue-Hill-Mirotic-AD

Clark-Moore-Miller-GRIII-Diallo rotation to start the season

Boogie comes back mid season, eats minutes from Diallo, Hill, Mirotic, and Okafor.

Thats all I got and all I know right now. Only other tidbit is that I know who we would have taken if we had the 22nd pick this year. Jacob Evans.

So... when truly evaluating the Mirotic trade down the line, the TRUE cost was: Asik and Evans for Mirotic. NOT Asik and Hutchinson for Mirotic.

Enjoy the offseason everyone!!

Thanks a lot for the information. We appreciate it. Don't be a stranger.

Any hints or tips you're willing to give on the player they plan to meet with at 12:01?