The Pelicans will have a tough time replacing Darius Miller‘s skill set from the current list of replacements on the roster, as William Guillory of The Athletic details. Miller suffered a ruptured right Achilles tendon and is expected to miss the season.
Miller provides defensive length and the ability to guard either forward spot while spacing the floor offensively, Guillory notes. The Pelicans might give Josh Hart and E’Twaun Moore more minutes at the wing spot but their options at backup power forward are newcomer Nicolo Melli and Kenrich Williams, who is limited as a shooter and defender against quicker forwards.
The contract that Miller signed this offseason — two years and $14.25MM with the second year non-guaranteed — becomes a less attractive trade piece for the Pelicans, Guillory adds.
We have more from around the Western Conference:
- Dwight Howard will be a role player with the Lakers for the first time in his career if everything goes as planned. New coach Frank Vogel spoke of his plans for the veteran player, who signed with Los Angeles after passing through waivers, to Spectrum SportNet (hat tip to the Sporting News). “He’s going to serve a different role,” Vogel said. “It’s going to be more of a role-player type of role, as opposed to being the lead. He understands that. He’s excited about playing that type of role on this team and what we can accomplish as a group.”
- Ryan Atkinson has been named GM of the Warriors’ G League affiliate in Santa Cruz, according to a team press release. Atkinson, 34, had been the G League team’s assistant GM for the last three seasons. Previous GM Kent Lacob has been named the Warriors’ director of team development.
- The Timberwolves haven’t come close to trading Andrew Wiggins, mainly because they never received an offer that was worth serious consideration, Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic reports. The Timberwolves are hoping he can come closer to realizing his potential, which would also boost his trade value. Getting Wiggins to make a bigger impact at both ends of the floor is also the best way for the team to become more of a factor in the Western Conference.
If wiggins improves he wouldn’t become a more ‘attractive trade piece’ he would become a key part of the team if wiggins can improve to being an average defender and a more efficient scorer he would be a great complement to KAT and then they trade for dlo with Jeff Teague and covington and first round pick or probably two
If Wiggins is the key , there’s no hope. Got his money , now he sits on his laurels. Worst max contract ever!
John Wall entered the chat…
Yea there a bunch of dudes you’ve overlooked here.
At least he can be counted on to play more than 50-60 games a season, unlike the Thunder’s starting PG. OKC will be lucky if CP3 even plays 50 games next season. And LeBron hasn’t exactly lived up to expectations in LA, nor will he over the next 3 years. And John Wall has already been mentioned so that’s at least 3 worse than Wiggins.
I think as of right now the Wolves best starting 5 is Teague Culver Covington Vonleh and Towns. Paying Wiggins almost 30 mil to play off the bench is insane. Yes he does have potential and stuff but he’s better off being traded for someone who will actually contribute more.
I’m sure some of these deals could work for both the teams:
Cavs: Clarkson, Henson and 2 seconds for Wiggins
Magic: Gordan and Fultz for Wiggins and Okogie
Raptors: Ibaka and a first round for Wiggins
Mavs: Hardaway and Lee for Wiggins
GSW: Russell for Wiggins a first and 2 seconds
Kings: Barnes for Wiggins and a second
The Wolves have a good future with Culver Covington and Towns they need a solid PG that can create and score, and they need a 4 that is strong and can play in the paint or outside. For me I like the Magic deal, Raptors and GSW deals.
Magic give them a good for a potentially a good PG and get to fix their SF spot. Raptors get back a local who can score for them and Wolves would get a solid 4 and a pick. Lastly the GSW deal gives the Wolves it’s future PG and GSW get back a decent 3 which fits them better and picks
Dude, Culver hasn’t played a game yet…he’s not starting, nor should he.
Minnesota fans constantly thinking the warriors would trade DLO for the bum they called Andrew Wiggins is by far one of the funniest things I’ve heard!
Agree it’s hilarious
Why not start Culver, he was the 6th pick in the draft this year?
Most people drafted in the top 10 of the draft play and start in their first year of the league. Who would you rather start at SG? Wiggins is a SF who isn’t good on D, Okogie was the 20th pick in the draft the year before and averaged 7.5 points and 3 rebounds.
Culver averaged 18.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.5 steals. He got good size at 6’6, he’s got good quickness and is strong. Plus he’s a competitive defender who can guard a couple positions. He’s had comparisons to Jaylen Brown, Kris Middleton and what Evan Turner was surprise to be. Some have even said he got a little bit of Paul Peirce in him.
HTF does Wiggins make GS better?
He doesn’t play defense and overall team offensive scheme does not seem to translate well with his game. At least russel has the ability to move the ball around.
When the Dubs trade DLO it will be for a frontline scorer that can also play strong D, where they are weak.
He doesn’t make them better I never said that but getting him to fill in the weak 3 position and get back some first round picks would be good. Personally if I’m GSW I would trade DLo for Justice Winslow and Kelly Olynyk. Winslow plays the 3, is solid on D and can ball handle. He’s also just signed a long deal on a cheap rate. Olynyk makes the salary’s match but gives the team a solid 4/5 that can shot it from deep and has experience.
If Minnesota really wants to get rid of Wiggins they should trade him for CP3.
Why? Towns is the best player they have and he is young they just got Culver near the top in the draft and got Jordan Bell for cheap this year. This team is about youth not old players.
CP3 is going to get nearly 40 mil for the next couple years and be well into his 30s. They would rather try get Dlo or another young player. Plus this year in the draft you have lots of good PGs available like LaMelo Ball, Theo Maledon, RJ Hampton, Cole Anthony, Nico Mannion, Killian Hayes and more. They should get one of these guys and look for a future 4. Of course if they can get Dlo without giving up lots (unlikely) then you get Dlo.
I was kidding. Only the Thunder are stupid enough to trade for CP3.
Wiggins is a slightly above average player that doesn’t make players around him better. Just a guy that can kind of score. One in a million!
Dwight Howard thinks he already hit rock bottom this summer, just wait until the season starts and he will soon learn that he’s not even close yet.