New Orleans Pelicans Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Nicolò Melli Reportedly Wants To Leave Pelicans

March 23rd, 2021 at 12:03pm CST by Arthur Hill

Pelicans forward Nicolò Melli has seen his playing time cut in his second NBA season and he may be looking for a way out of New Orleans, according to a report from Sportando. The story first appeared in the Italian publication La Gazzetta dello Sport, which states that Melli is waiting for an opportunity with a new team.

The 30-year-old has gotten into just 21 games this season under new coach Stan Van Gundy and is averaging 2.0 PPG in about 11 minutes per night. As a rookie last year with coach Alvin Gentry, Melli averaged 6.6 PPG and 17.4 minutes of playing time in 60 games.

Melli was a star in the EuroLeague for several years before coming to the NBA. He is making $3.88MM this season and will be eligible for a $4.87MM qualifying offer this summer.

Trade Rumors: Gordon, Bagley, Collins, Turner, Nuggets, Mavs

March 23rd, 2021 at 9:11am CST by Luke Adams

Magic forward Aaron Gordon continues to be one of the most intriguing trade candidates leading up to Thursday’s deadline, with a Monday report indicating that the Celtics are believed to be the frontrunners for him. Boston reportedly offered two first-round picks and may be eyeing a bigger deal that also features Marcus Smart and Evan Fournier, as Sam Amick of The Athletic confirms.

According to Amick, the Nuggets are currently viewed as the second-strongest suitor for Gordon. Denver has done a good deal of research on the veteran forward in an attempt to determine how well he’d fit the team’s system and culture, sources tell The Athletic.

The Rockets were considered a serious threat to land Gordon at one point, but they no longer to be among the favorites. As Amick explains, the 25-year-old’s disinterest in signing a longer-term extension with Houston may dissuade the club from giving up valuable assets for him. Gordon’s current contract is set to expire after the 2021/22 season.

Here are a few more trade rumors from around the NBA:

The Kings, who reportedly offered Marvin Bagley III to Detroit in a proposal for Saddiq Bey, have also made Bagley available in discussions with the Hawks about John Collins, says Amick. The Celtics, meanwhile, have “cooled” on Collins due to concerns about how much he’ll cost to retain in restricted free agency, Amick adds.
The Pacers would have to be blown away by a “no-brainer” deal in order to trade Myles Turner this week, multiple sources tell J. Michael of The Indianapolis Star. The Hornets, Lakers, Clippers, Knicks, and Pelicans are among the teams with interest in the big man, according to Michael, who says one three-team deal discussed last season would’ve sent Turner to New Orleans and Collins to Indiana.
The Nuggets and Mavericks remain on the lookout for wing help, with both clubs offering second-round picks and a veteran for salary-matching purposes (Gary Harris and James Johnson), per Joe Vardon of The Athletic.

Fischer’s Latest: Graham, Hornets, Mavs, Fournier, Knicks, More

March 22nd, 2021 at 11:57am CST by Luke Adams

While it remains unclear how LaMelo Ball‘s wrist injury will affect the potential availability of fellow Hornets guard Devonte’ Graham, some people around the league were already skeptical that Charlotte would trade Graham this week, writes Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report.

“They’ll try to keep him, and they’re willing to pay,” one assistant general manager said of Graham, who is eligible for restricted free agency this summer. Team executives polled by Fischer estimated that it may cost about $13-16MM annually on a four-year deal for the Hornets to re-sign Graham.

Ball’s injury may make the Hornets less likely to address their center position with a one-year stopgap, but it shouldn’t discourage them from remaining on the lookout for a long-term solution, per ESPN’s Zach Lowe.

Both Fischer and Lowe reiterate that Pacers center Myles Turner is high on Charlotte’s wish list, which has been previously reported. Fischer also identifies Grizzlies big man Gorgui Dieng as a potential target for the Hornets and says Charlotte has also called the Lakers asking about Montrezl Harrell.

Here’s more from Fischer:

The Mavericks have been the “loudest rumored team” for Magic guard Evan Fournier, according to Fischer, who says that one possible package would consist of James Johnson and a pair of second-round picks.
The Hawks are worth keeping an eye on as a possible Victor Oladipo landing spot, says Fischer, adding that the team has made Bogdan Bogdanovic and Cam Reddish available.
The Knicks have signaled interest in using their $15MM in cap room to accommodate a three-team deal, per Fischer. Some people within the team’s front office are against the idea of surrendering any draft assets for a player who could be signed this summer.
Fischer adds the Rockets, Pacers, and Bulls to the list of teams that have looked into a possible acquisition of Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie. Miami, Detroit, and Toronto have previously been cited as possibilities for Dinwiddie.
Although the Pelicans and Bulls had some earlier discussions centered around Lauri Markkanen and Lonzo Ball, those talks haven’t seemed substantial, sources tell Fischer.

Western Notes: Ball, Oladipo, Poole, Mavericks

March 21st, 2021 at 9:52pm CST by JD Shaw

The Pelicans‘ decision on whether to trade Lonzo Ball before the deadline will largely impact their chemistry for the rest of the season, Scott Kushner of Nola.com examines.

New Orleans has accrued just an 18-24 record this season, struggling to give a consistent effort on the defensive end. The team is only 2.5 games behind the Grizzlies for the No. 10 seed, which is needed to make the play-in tournament under the league’s new format.

“We’re not where we want to be,” coach Stan Van Gundy said. “Certainly on some nights, we look like we’re better than that. On other nights, we don’t. Everybody plays good games, though. When you’re good, it’s when you can do it consistently, night after night after night.

“It’s not what you do on your best night. We have 30 teams who will look great for a game. It’s who can do it night after night. And who can do it when it doesn’t have to be their best game and when they’re not lighting it up shooting the ball and can still find a way to win?”

There’s more from the Western Conference tonight:

Rockets guard Victor Oladipo is being increasingly regarded as one of the top names that could be moved ahead of the trade deadline, Marc Stein of the New York Times tweets. Houston, losers of 20 straight games, acquired Oladipo in the multi-team deal featuring James Harden earlier this season.
Warriors guard Jordan Poole continued to emerge in the team’s three-game trip, Anthony Slater of The Athletic writes. Poole, a talented 21-year-old player in his second NBA season, finished with 26 points, four rebounds and five assists in the team’s loss to Memphis on Saturday.
Tim Cato and John Hollinger of The Athletic examine the Mavericks‘ situation as the trade deadline nears. Dallas currently owns the eighth-best record in the West at 21-19 and could express interest in multiple players — including Cleveland’s Andre Drummond.

Bulls, Hawks Pursuing Lonzo Ball

March 21st, 2021 at 6:13pm CST by JD Shaw

The Bulls and Hawks are among the teams interested in Pelicans guard Lonzo Ball, but skepticism remains that New Orleans will deal the 23-year-old ahead of the March 25 trade deadline, according to Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer.

Chicago has offered a package that features Tomas Satoransky and second-round picks, per O’Connor, but the Pelicans are hoping to acquire at least one first-round pick or a young player.

Trade discussions with the Hawks have mostly revolved around second-year wing Cam Reddish, O’Connor adds. Atlanta signed two point guards (Rajon Rondo and Kris Dunn) last offseason to a roster that already features Trae Young as a starter, but Dunn has yet to make his debut to an ankle injury and Rondo’s play has been up and down.

By offloading a guard, the Pelicans would have a clearer pathway toward playing some of their younger backcourt players, though it’s probably safe to assume the team would rather move Eric Bledsoe than Ball.

Ball is set to become a restricted free agent at season’s end. Similar to the Kyle Lowry situation with any interested teams, both the Bulls and Hawks will have enough cap space to potentially sign Ball this offseason, but New Orleans would have the ability to match any offer. The former No. 2 overall pick averaged a career-high 14.2 points and 5.6 assists in 31.7 minutes per game on the year.

Central Notes: Dellavedova, Markkanen, Tucker, Kurucs

March 20th, 2021 at 9:01pm CST by Arthur Hill

Matthew Dellavedova hasn’t played yet this season, but the Cavaliers are hoping he can be ready during the team’s upcoming road trip, according to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com. The 30-year-old guard went through a 45-minute shooting workout before Friday’s game and was scheduled to join the team for practice today.

Dellavedova, who hasn’t played a regular season game in more than a year, suffered a concussion in the preseason opener that sidelined him for two months. That was followed by an emergency appendectomy in February, which further delayed his return.

“Obviously we know how long he’s been out and what he had to deal with with the concussion and then as he started to work his way back the appendectomy happens you’re off two to three weeks,” coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “He’s making progress and I would expect him back sooner rather than later.”

There’s more from the Central Division:

Lauri Markkanen‘s long-term future with the Bulls may appear uncertain, but he believes he could get an explanation any time from executive vice president Artūras Karnišovas, writes K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports. A source tells Johnson that a rumored deal involving Markkanen and Pelicans guard Lonzo Ball stems mostly from the fact that both are headed for restricted free agency. “ I have a good relationship with AK and same thing with (coach Billy Donovan),” Markkanen said. “If that wasn’t the case, they would tell me. I’m happy. Obviously, we’ve gotta win more games and there’s things we can get better at. And that’s what we’re trying to focus on right now.’’
This week’s trade for P.J. Tucker will give Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer more flexibility with the lineups he uses to close out games, notes Eric Nehm of The Athletic. Milwaukee may use small-ball lineups in crunch time with Tucker on the court instead of Brook Lopez, unless the team is facing a legitimate center like the Sixers’ Joel Embiid.
With D.J. Augustin gone, Donte DiVincenzo will take over as the backup point guard, but the Bucks will continue to look for help, Nehm adds. A report this week listed Milwaukee as a possible destination if Isaiah Thomas returns to the NBA.
New Bucks forward Rodions Kurucs, who was also acquired in the Tucker deal, has entered the NBA’s health and safety protocols, Nehm tweets.

Pelicans Notes: Redick, Bledsoe, Williamson, Ball

March 20th, 2021 at 3:56pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Veteran reserve guard J.J. Redick is expected to be traded or bought out this month. If he’s dealt before Thursday’s trade deadline, the Sixers make the most sense, according to John Hollinger of The Athletic. Redick’s $13MM salary could be matched with some of Philadelphia’s expiring contracts (Mike Scott, Tony Bradley, Vincent Poirier). The Sixers could also throw in a second-round pick and they have a couple of extra ones, including the Knicks’ 2021 second-rounder, Hollinger notes.

We have more on the Pelicans:

In the same Athletic story, William Guillory expresses doubt that the front office could move Eric Bledsoe. Acquired from the Bucks in the Jrue Holiday deal, Bledsoe is averaging 11.7 PPG and 3.8 APG — his lowest totals since the 2012/13 season — and has been a liability on defense. He’s owed $18.1MM next season, though his $19.4MM salary in 2022/23 is non-guaranteed.
The team should run more of its offense though Zion Williamson, Scott Kushner of the New Orleans Times Picayune argues. New Orleans has struggled to put opponents away due in part to a lack of crunch time touches for Williamson, Kushner notes. Coach Stan Van Gundy needs to make adjustments to ensure the ball gets in the hands of his top offensive threat when the Pelicans need a basket, Kushner adds.
Redick, Bledsoe and Lonzo Ball are the players that could possibly be moved prior to the trade deadline, according to Christian Clark of the Times Picayune. The franchise is in a tough spot with Ball, since they already have approximately $88MM committed to seven other players next season. Re-signing Ball as a restricted free agent would force the Pelicans to take a piecemeal approach to the remainder of the rest of the roster.

Clippers Eyeing Lonzo Ball

March 19th, 2021 at 10:17am CST by Luke Adams

The Clippers remain in the market for a play-maker at the point guard position and are exploring possible avenues to acquire Pelicans guard Lonzo Ball before the March 25 trade deadline, league sources tell Marc Stein of The New York Times (Twitter link).

Ball, 23, has been the subject of off-and-on trade rumors this season as he nears restricted free agency. He has developed a nice chemistry with Pelicans star Zion Williamson and has the potential to continue improving, but New Orleans will have to decide whether or not it wants to pay big money to retain him a long-term deal this offseason.

While the Pelicans would have the ability to match any offer Ball receives in restricted free agency, they may only be comfortable up to a certain price point. If they’re concerned about a team extending an offer sheet that exceeds that price point, it would make sense to see what they could get in return for Ball now, especially since their 17-24 record has them slipping out of the playoff race.

Ball is averaging a career-high 14.2 PPG on .425/.385/.767 shooting (all career highs) to go along with 5.6 APG and 4.2 RPG in 38 games (31.7 MPG). He has played more off the ball this season, something his father LaVar Ball griped about in a recent appearance on ESPN Radio in Los Angeles. As Christian Clark of NOLA.com details, the outspoken Ball patriarch expressed a desire to see the Pelicans trade his son.

The Clippers are having another strong season, currently holding a top-four seed in the West with a 26-16 record. However, they’ve long been on the lookout for some extra play-making — Paul George (5.3 APG) and Kawhi Leonard (4.9 APG) currently lead the team in assists. Veteran point guards Terry Rozier, George Hill, and Ricky Rubio have been cited as possible targets for L.A.

If the Clippers make a move for a player earning a mid-level salary or higher, Lou Williams ($8MM) may have to be one of the outgoing pieces. All of the team’s players making more than $5MM are part of the regular rotation and aren’t necessarily expendable, which will make it challenging to swing a deal.

As Stein points out (via Twitter), the Clippers’ lack of draft assets may also complicate their pursuit of Ball and other point guard targets. If the club makes a push for Ball, it may require a three-team construction, Stein adds.

New York Notes: Knicks, Ball, Rose, Kyrie, Nets

March 17th, 2021 at 3:12pm CST by Luke Adams

The point guard position remains a priority for the Knicks both in the short and long term, according to Marc Berman of The New York Post, who says that Lonzo Ball is higher on president of basketball operations Leon Rose‘s wish list than Victor Oladipo.

The odds of making a trade for Ball look slimmer now than they did a month or two ago. The former No. 2 overall pick has played well, and Will Guillory of The Athletic says he’d “really be shocked” if the 23-year-old doesn’t remain in New Orleans at least through the trade deadline. Still, Ball’s restricted free agency looms, putting the Pelicans in a tough spot.

As John Hollinger of The Athletic notes in his conversation with Guillory, New Orleans is only about $20MM away from next season’s projected tax line, so accommodating a lucrative new deal for Ball will be a challenge, especially if the team also wants to re-sign Josh Hart. According to Berman, the Knicks – who will have plenty of cap room available this summer – would be “heavily on Ball’s radar” in restricted free agency.

Here’s more on the NBA’s two New York-based teams:

The Knicks still aren’t sure exactly when Derrick Rose will clear the NBA’s health and safety protocols, according to head coach Tom Thibodeau. “He’s feeling a lot better,” Thibodeau said, per Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic (Twitter link). “… As soon as he can get back on the court we can let everyone know, but you just gotta follow the protocol.”
The Nets will be missing two of their stars for Wednesday’s game in Indianapolis, as Kyrie Irving (right groin soreness) has been ruled out (Twitter link). Kevin Durant (hamstring) also remains on the shelf, and Blake Griffin (injury management) also hasn’t been given the green light to make his Brooklyn debut.
As Zach Braziller of The New York Post writes, the Nets are looking forward to an emotional reunion on Wednesday with Pacers guard Caris LeVert, who has had an eventful two months since being traded to Indiana. LeVert underwent surgery to treat renal cell carcinoma, a type of kidney cancer, but is already back on the court for the Pacers. “We’re really proud that Caris is returning to play here,” Nets head coach Steve Nash said. “He’s incredibly well-loved in this organization, a world-class human being, a terrific basketball player. There’s no doubt everyone here is rooting for him.”

Expanded Rotation Good For Pelicans

March 17th, 2021 at 8:22am CST by Luke Adams

Although the Pelicans suffered a brutal loss in Portland on Tuesday night, the decision to expand the rotation has served the team well, giving New Orleans’ young players a chance to see more minutes, writes Scott Kushner of NOLA.com.