Rhino67

Salary filler? You could have just said Jordan Poole.

Fair point. If we're talking about the Pelicans' current roster construction, mentioning "salary filler" without naming likely contracts is vague.

In a hypothetical Pelicans–Celtics framework for Jaylen Brown, a player like Jordan Poole could be used to help match salaries if he were on New Orleans' roster at the time of the trade. Other contracts could also be involved depending on the exact cap situation and league rules in effect.

That said, my main point wasn't really about which contract gets included. It was that I wouldn't want New Orleans to pay all three of these costs simultaneously:

Dejounte Murray
Trey Murphy III
Multiple first-round picks

for Jaylen Brown.

If the trade is essentially:

Murray + Poole + picks ? Brown

then I'd be much more interested.

If it's:

Murray + Murphy + Poole + multiple firsts ? Brown

then I think New Orleans is overpaying.

The reason is that Murphy isn't just a throw-in. He's one of the league's better young 3-and-D wings, fits perfectly next to Zion Williamson, and is entering his prime. Replacing Murphy's shooting and versatility could be harder than people realize, even if Brown is the superior overall player.

The Pelicans' biggest problem isn't star power — it's roster construction, health, and defense.

After finishing 26–56 with one of the league's weaker defenses, the organization appears headed for another significant offseason under executive vice president Joe Dumars and new coach Jamahl Mosley.

1. Build a real defensive identity

New Orleans ranked near the bottom of the NBA defensively, allowing 120 points per game and posting a bottom-tier defensive rating.

Mosley earned a reputation in Orlando for defense and player development, so the Pelicans should lean into that.

A starting-caliber rim-protecting center would help tremendously. Several analysts have identified center as the roster's most obvious weakness.

2. Keep the Zion–Trey Murphy core

Unless an overwhelming offer appears, I'd keep:

* Zion Williamson
* Trey Murphy III
* Herb Jones
* Jeremiah Fears
* Derik Queen

Reports indicate the Pelicans have already resisted trading much of that young core.

Murphy, in particular, looks like the ideal modern two-way wing to build around.

3. Decide what Zion's future really is

This is the franchise-defining question.

When healthy, Zion is still an All-NBA-level offensive force. The problem is availability. Since entering the league, injuries have repeatedly disrupted both his development and the team's continuity. ([New York Post][4])

The Pelicans have two paths:

**Path A:** Fully commit to Zion and build a roster that maximizes his strengths:

* Shooting at every position
* Rim protection behind him
* Fast-paced offense

**Path B:** If they believe his health will never stabilize, trade him while his value remains significant and pivot around Murphy, Fears, Queen, and future assets.

Given recent reporting, the front office appears closer to Path A.

4. Add more shooting

The Pelicans have often surrounded Zion with lineups that lack enough perimeter shooting.

To maximize Zion's downhill attacks, they need:

* Reliable catch-and-shoot wings
* Stretch bigs
* Bench scoring

Spacing has been a recurring issue throughout the Zion era.

5. Be patient with the young players

The most encouraging part of the roster may be the youth.

Players such as:

* Jeremiah Fears
* Derik Queen
* Yves Missi

could become foundational pieces if developed properly. Mosley's reputation for player development is one reason the hire makes sense.

What I would do

If I were running the team:

1. Keep Zion for one more season.
2. Keep Trey Murphy untouchable.
3. Acquire a defensive center.
4. Add shooting around Zion.
5. Let Mosley develop Fears, Queen, and Missi.
6. Reevaluate Zion's future at the 2027 trade deadline if the team is still outside playoff contention.

That path gives New Orleans a chance to compete while avoiding a full rebuild. The Western Conference is too strong for half-measures, but the Pelicans still have enough talent that a smart retool is more sensible than tearing everything down.

Jason Meyers is the only one who’s scored.

If Ole Miss wins tonight, this board will be saying…..what?

LSU will lose by four scores at least.

None.

He will do marginally better than Brian Kelly did, averaging three losses per season to Kelly’s four. Kiffin won’t do as well here as he has at Ole Miss.

Bama wins, he’s LSU bound.

Aubie wins, he’s staying at Ole Miss and waiting for the Bama job to open up.

Simple as that.

If Auburn beats Bama, Bama will fire Kalen, and all of a sudden the Kiffin sweepstakes will have a new participant. Then I think Kiffin really would leave, just not to LSU or Florida.

LaNorris Sellers goes to Bourbon Street and can’t figure out where to throw his trash, so he runs to the nearest trash can.

Change my mind.

Fears is like another Russell Westbrook.