Payton/Randle introduction presser

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Julius Randle on his perspective of being part of the future in New Orleans with #Pelicans: "I want this to be home, and a long-term thing.

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This is big

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Julius Randle on his perspective of being part of the future in New Orleans with #Pelicans: "I want this to be home, and a long-term thing.

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Well, we aren't paying $65M for our front court next year, so youre auditioning with Niko to see which one of you fits better and we'll likely decide on one of you, not both, unless you both want to get long term contracts that pay you around $12M/yr.

IMO teams that have an identity will benefit greatly from much of the players taking one-year deals. It gives teams like the Pelicans a chance to audition players that will fit best, which will maximize the dollars we spend. Which is one of the main reasons I’m excited about Payton and Randle, and less than thrilled about Schroder.

A team trying to figure out who they are or a team without direction, I think will have a tougher time due to that uncertainty. Next summer I believe many players will sign multi-year contracts. And do you think they’d rather go to a place with an established plan in place or gamble on an unknown like Brooklyn or the Clippers? If it was me, I’d take a long look at an organization that knows where it’s heading. And I think the Pels know where they want to be. Many we won’t land a Kawhi but I cannot imagine we will be as bad a destination as most people believe

I personally like the idea of having AD/Niko/Randle as our 3 big man rotation, with a 4th big on a vet minimum and a young guy like Diallo, even though i've always been of the belief that you shoud'nt be sinking so much money into the front court.

We havent' seen them play yet, but i think that rotation will work out great b/c of Niko and Randles ability to switch on defense, as well as handle the better big on the opposing team so AD can guard the weak one and roam the paint. When AD gets to do that is when our defense is at it's best.

If we do commit to that front court and paying them, that means we likely don't have the ability to ever get a big time SF, or even a PG in FA in the future unless we trade for them, and we can't really do that before the offseason b/c then we don't have the ability to sign both Niko and Randle.

This is where making a trade for Schroeder/Prince could be very beneficial. Schroeder isnt' ideal, as i think Payton is more of what we want from the PG position, but if we were able to move forward into the future with this kind of lineup, i think we've got a top 4 team in the west for a few years.

Payton/Schroeder
Jrue/Jackson(hoping he turns out to be something useful)/Moore(or another MLE guy)
Prince/Miller
Niko/Randle/Diallo(or young big)
AD/Okafor(or vet minimum guy)

We don't need another point guard of that "caliber." Time to let Jackson play extensively this year to begin determining whether he is in future plans before his contract comes up.

Whatever move Dell makes that inches us closer to contender status, MUST be a SF with a serviceable offensive game but exceptional defensively. Any true contender with hopes of beating Warriors, MUST be an exceptional And sound defensive team that guards well in transition.

A long SF that can at least cause Durant to not hit his averages and be able to force him out of his comfort spots is the only way to have a chance.

AD really needs to focus on his range this offseason. He needs to get comfortable shooting 3’s instead of the two dribbles and taking a 23ft pull-up.

He’s got the stroke to be able to hit high 30’s from the perimeter with some focus, he just needs to start doing so and give up the long 2’s.

That’s always been the case, but I agree.

I like the big 3 frontcourt guys, but I just don't see many situations where all 3 can be on the court at the same time. Especially to close out games. I'd rather the money go to a wing, but I can't think of one we can really go get. So its a good year to figure out which one fits better and then let the other shine with the 2nd unit (unless we can get something at the deadline)..

I think these days you just start your best 5 to a point.

AD
Jrue
Payton
Randle
Niko

ETA:

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I like the big 3 frontcourt guys, but I just don't see many situations where all 3 can be on the court at the same time.

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I see it differently since we don't have and can't really get an elite wing. I actually really want to see them all out there together.

I'm not a huge fan of AD taking 3's, but i can definitely see where it can make him almost ungaurdable if he can hit it at a good rate.

He also need to bring back that floater he perfected a while back and quit going to. I'm tired of seeing him try to beat the guy to the rim everytime when he drives to the goal. That works on some guys, but not all big men are slow. They can move and have long as arms too. That pull up floater was deadly, and he figures out when to pull up, when to finish at the rim, and when to take the outside shot, he's pretty unguardable by anyone.