Few players have made a bigger impact on their teams this season than Anthony Davis, whose Pelicans have a +10.7 net rating when he’s on the court and a -13.7 rating when he sits. However, Davis could use some help, so Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer devotes his latest article to exploring a number of potential trade options for New Orleans, providing a handful of interesting tidbits along the way.
Let’s dive in and round up the highlights…
- There are “whispers” that the Pelicans have interest in Wizards forward Otto Porter, according to O’Connor, who believes that Porter could thrive in New Orleans’ up-tempo offense and would fill a major need for the team. While there’s no indication that the two teams have engaged in trade discussions, O’Connor suggests that a package along the lines of Solomon Hill, Julius Randle, and a first-round pick might work.
- Following up on a report suggesting that the Pelicans offered Nikola Mirotic and a first-round pick to the Timberwolves for Jimmy Butler, O’Connor writes that E’Twaun Moore was included in a version of New Orleans’ offer for Butler. Sources tell O’Connor that the Pels declined to make Jrue Holiday available in those trade talks, and also resisted offering an unprotected 2022 first-round pick.
- O’Connor identifies Kent Bazemore, Wesley Matthews, James Johnson, Trevor Ariza, and DeMarre Carroll as some other wings and forwards who could be of interest to New Orleans, and who may end up being available. The Pelicans made a play for Bazemore in the offseason, O’Connor notes.
- Scott Kushner of The Advocate recently argued that the Pelicans could use another playmaker, even when Elfrid Payton is healthy. O’Connor makes a similar point, observing that New Orleans had interest in Jeremy Lin before he signed with the Nets in 2016. Lin could be a trade candidate to watch, according to O’Connor, who points to Milos Teodosic (Clippers) and T.J. McConnell (Sixers) as others to keep an eye on.
One of the unreliable sources said this summer that Rodney Hood wants to play for the Pelicans.
Julius would definitely help Washington’s lack of depth at the center position.
There’s no way that Washington could get all that for Porter. He’s viewed as way overpaid throughout the league with his inflated contract. The Wiz should just be happy if someone takes his big contract on for free so they can save cap space to spend elsewhere.
That was my first thought too, but looking at it a bit closer, it’s not really a huge haul — Randle will likely opt out at season’s end, Hill has negative value because of his contract, and the first-round pick would likely be lottery-protected.
Good points. But I’ve got a hard time believing even a protected 1st pick will be involved in that deal.
I think Davis would want better than Porter if he wants to consider staying. It’s unlikely Cousins will stay with the Warriors. Cousins and Davis are still good friends. Davis wants him back. I wouldn’t think the Pelicans would want a contract that might keep them from bringing Cousins back. AD has said several times he prefers to play power forward.
Davis reported this to ESPN’s “the Undefeated” November 1. I know the Sporting News is saying the Pelicans are interested i Porter too.
That ship has sailed. Cousins isn’t returning to New Orleans.
Cousins will be a Maverick if he shows he is healthy. IMO
Read the article first. AD is doing the talking. He gets what he wants if the Pelicans can do it. ESPN, November 1, 2018 “Anthony Davis wants Cousins to return to the Pelicans. Davis has said he doesn’t want to play center the rest of his career.
Davis must have forgotten how much worse the team was when those two ball dominant bigs played together last year. Davis was so much more effective last year once Cousins got hurt.
Davis didn’t mesh well with Cousins last year. Once Cousins was hurt Davis played way better. The league isn’t big dominant anymore and they already proved that they were better when only one of them was on the floor together last year.
Look for NO to get Teaque and Dieng from the Wolves for Moore and a pick ..
It says they made a play for Bazemore. I wonder what that was? I can’t imagine the Hawks would turn down Soloman Hill and a 1rst.