After multiple reports that the Pelicans were one of many teams trying to trade into the first round, earlier this morning Marc Spears tweeted this.
https://twitter.com/SpearsNBAYahoo/status/477825642017198081
I posted a few weeks ago about three guys I thought could help the Pelicans, but I posted this thinking that they were going to try and get a second round pick for cheap, so I'm going to update it soon.
It's no lie the small forwards in free agency this year aren't that appealing, especially for a team which has little cap room and would more than likely be limited to MLE.
So trying to trade into the late first round seems like a smart decision in my opinion, especially when these prospects are projected to go between 19-30: T.J. Warren, James Young, K.J. McDaniels, Glenn Robinson, DeAndre Daniels and Cleanthony Early.
All six of these guys could space the floor and also have the potential to defend at an above average rate.
Spears also says the Pelicans could be looking at a centers in the first round, and the only ones (other than Embiid) who stand out to me are: Jusuf Nurkic, Mitch McGary and Clint Capella (although he is more of a 4, but has the length and ability to play the 5).
I personally wouldn't want the Pelicans to draft a center because with players like Andray Blatche heavily linked and already having two young centers on the roster with lots of potential, I would rather draft a small forward — the position we not only need but have the least depth in.
The main trade piece in a deal for a pick would likely be Pierre Jackson, a player Dell Demps seemed to go out of his way with to make sure he didn't say he would play for the team but would be an asset.
There's also players like Alex Ajinca, Jason Smith and Brian Roberts could also all be thrown in to sweeten a deal. Another idea could be paying for the pick (which is allowed). Then there is maybe taking on a player the other team doesn't want and giving Melvin Ely up as a non-guaranteed deal.
Someone I wouldn't like to see traded is young guard Austin Rivers, who I feel could still hold more value than any of the players New Orleans could get (unless we trade into the lottery with Rivers, of course).
This is basically my first reactions to the news. I could be too rational, but I'm going to be posting more in-depth looks at the players I mentioned and other Pelicans offseason news.
