Despite an impending salary crunch, the Pelicans are not open to trading defensive ace Herbert Jones, Marc Stein reports in his latest notebook. Jones signed a four-year extension during the offseason.
By dealing Kira Lewis Jr. as part of the three-team trade featuring Pascal Siakam, New Orleans moved under the luxury tax. However, the Pelicans still face long-term financial challenges with Trey Murphy III eligible for a rookie scale contract extension this summer and generally trying to retain all the key pieces on arguably the league’s deepest roster.
The Pelicans are one of two NBA franchises to never pay the luxury tax.
We have more from the Southwest Division:
- The Pelicans’ starting unit has not fared well in the second half of games and coach Willie Green is open to making changes, according to Christian Clark of the New Orleans Times Picayune. “We have enough data to know that it’s an issue, and we are working on it,” Green said. “Right now, we want to give them a chance to correct it. But we’re at the point where anything is on the table.”
- With Fred VanVleet, Jeff Green, Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason sitting out on Sunday, the Rockets started rookie first-rounders Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore. In the last few weeks, both have earned more playing time due to their attention to detail and physical traits, Kelly Iko of The Athletic writes. They got a defensive education trying to guard Boston’s Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis. “They did pretty well,” forward Dillon Brooks said. “Most of the time, they were on Porziņgis because (Boston) was trying to get the switch, but they played them well and physical enough. They should take that and bring it to every game.”
- The first half of the Spurs’ season is over and The Athletic’s Mike Monroe takes a closer look at how Victor Wembanyama fared up to the midway point, noting that the rookie big man has produced despite being on a minutes restriction. Wembanyama has not played more than 27 minutes in his last 12 appearances after suffering minor ankle sprains, but has averaged 21.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 3.7 blocks per game during that stretch.
NOP trades CJ, Janos and Liddel for Lowry, Jovic(move to C) and Martin twin and a 1st. Lowry waived. NOP signs Kai Jones
Signs a PG or trades Nance and a pick for a PG
So New Orleans who us in the middle of the West playoff picture trades their starting PG and C for another less effective PG, an experimental C, a 3rd string FW an oh yeah….a late first rounder, then cuts the PG they traded for leaving them Dyson Daniels at the point? Sounds like a surefire winning move to me.
See the second comment above. They would trade Nance for a PG. Yes they would be younger with less depth at PG and C but I’m sure Janos V won’t be there next year and CJ is going to fall off a cliff soon. Salary relief. They can keep Lowry, he is a real PG. CJ is not a PG though lol. I agree with you this is the worst trade idea I put up. The Orlando trade idea is good. CJ a PG now. Was he the PG next to Lillard…..nope. CJ a PG lol. He can try last year and this year but I wouldn’t want that on my team
The Blazers staggered CJ and Lillard so that one was always on the court. When Lillard went the bench for a break McCollum ran the offense. CJ was effective facilitating the offense, the Blazers problem was neither was much of a defensive presence.
Yes I agree with the Portland analysis. 6’3 or 6’2 SG next to Lillard wasn’t good. But CJ being a full time PG at 32 for the 1st time. I would move on because the rest of the team is young, he is new to the PG role and his contract will be horrible soon. The Orlando trade i put down below is the best one. My apologies about the name change comment
Plus the pelicans will never win a title with that name lol. Only thing I can think of is Tony Montana saying come on pelican fly. Change the name and yours too
I agree the name sucks for New Orleans. Here’s a trade they should make. The Pelicans name straight up with Utah for Jazz. The Great Salt Lake has the largest rookery in the nation for American White Pelicans.
Yes the old New Orleans team was the Jazz but I don’t think Utah would do that. New Orleans title waves, sharks, flash floods, blue devils, etc etc etc. There are so many names they could pick. Didn’t MJ buy the Hornets name back from New Orleans? New Orleans Jazz with Pistol Pete and company.
I was wrong. NOP trades CJ and Liddel for Lowry, Jovic(move to C) and a pick. NOP signs Kai Jones* thanks Chucktoad1
CJ, Liddel and Janos V with a 1st to Orlando for Markelle Fultz, Garry Harris and Carter Jr
Chucktoad1 what about this one
Trade Larry Nance and a 2nd for someones draft rights or a expiring
Starting to think this is Sullivan with a new username. CJ is a guard, at 32/33 still a very effective one. With his defense his best spot is PG. Pels have other assets they can trade, CJ isn’t going anywhere this year unless it’s in a bigger deal. I’d take a flyer offer for Murray but no way ATL wants CJ due to Trae.