Center Karlo Matkovic signed a three-year minimum contract with the Pelicans on Sunday and expressed his joy to the New Orleans Times-Picayune’s Christian Clark.
“It’s really a big thing for me,” Matkovic said. “Happy for it. Excited. Can’t wait to get back to New Orleans to work with the guys. Excited for the new season, pretty much. Happy.”
He may have been a little overexcited, as he committed seven turnovers in Summer League action against the Magic. On the positive side, Matkovic contributed 10 points, four rebounds and five assists.
We have more from the Pelicans:
- In the same story, Clark speculates that veteran Daniel Theis could start at center on opening night. Theis was signed to a one-year deal last week. Yves Missi (the 21st pick in last month’s draft), Matkovic, and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl are New Orleans’ other options at center.
- The Pelicans allowed their opponents to score 114.3 points per 100 possessions when Jordan Hawkins played last season, according to Clark, which limited Hawkins’ playing time. The 14th overall pick last year out of UConn, Hawkins admits he needs to improve defensively to receive an expanded role. “Definitely the defensive end,” Hawkins said. “I think that’s what held me back a little bit. Not being able to guard. So I think my big focus is going to be on guarding. Trying to guard wings. Trying to get bigger. Shooting. Being a 40% three-point shooter for our team. We have guys who can penetrate, get to the hoop. I just have to be able to knock shots down.”
- Executive VP of basketball operations David Griffin gushed about Missi’s potential during the broadcast of the club’s Summer League opener (hat tip to Dylan Sanders of Pelicans Scoop). “Athletically, he’s going to be in the top one half of one percent at his position, but also as a human being he’s exactly who we want to be,” Griffin said. “You can see he can defend in space. Everything that makes him raw is something we can address, but everything that he brings is innately something really special.”
If I’m Portland I wouldn’t have drafted Clingan but now that he’s there I’d prob be looking to trade Ayton moreso than RWilliams. Rob & Clingan play much more similar type games than Ayton. Those 2 guys fit what Portland is trying to build more than Ayton does. Trading Ayton & a couple of pick swaps (w/ Milwaukee, 2028 & 2030) for Brandon Ingram is a good look for NO & Portland.
Pels shore up their frontline in a real way by acquiring Ayton. We all like Daniel Theis but he’s a backup level NBA big & this has been the case for years. Missi has potential to be a starter for them but if they’re really trying to contend for a title they can afford to give him some time to develop before throwing him in the fire.
For Portland they get a guy that can power their offense & help Ant more than anyone else on their roster
I completely agree with everything you said about everyone but I would not trade for Ingram. Portland needs someone younger to play with Henderson, Sharpe and Clingan. I am not sure what to think about J Walker on their team. People on this site say that Sharpe should be playing SF so I suppose Portland needs a good young shooting SG and a young PF. Dani is nice but a sixth man type to me. Trade Ayton, Grant and Simons for a great young two pieces (SG or SF and a PF) plus bad contracts. Sign some veterans on the bench. Make sure you have the coaching staff you want.
Do a full rebuild. There is no point in not doing so because they traded Lillard for what….. Traded Lillard to get Ayton, draft scoot and most important keep Simons over Lillard. They need a full rebuild.
Should have said yes to Miami deal. Bucks probably wish this now in hindsight
Ingram would be good in Memphis. NOP needs to trade CJ not Ingram
I do like Ayton on NOP though. Three team NOP trades CJ McCollum to Brooklyn and Jordan Hawkins to Portland, Portland trades Ayton and Rupert to NOP and Brooklyn trades Ben Simmons and a 2nd to Portland. Portland waives Simmons
David Griffin with all his flowery language & word salad that Pels fans have heard for years. It’s all about being good human beings & his family garbage.
When it comes to a starting 5, Griffin is like a duck on a pond spouting all calmness while under the water he is churning his feet trying to find a legit starting center. Without one in the West the Pels are a 42 win team.
Trading Ingram, even if he loses the trade is the answer to get assets to get their 5.