Utah/New Orleans

[lordjeff05]

Pels trade Larry Nance, Jordan Hawkins and Dyson Daniels for Walker Kessler and John Collins

Reasoning for the Pels: New Orleans needs to revamp its center rotation. Willie doesn't trust JV and Nance doesn't score enough. Also, this move would allow for enough cap space to resign Naji and stay under the luxury tax. Dyson and Hawkins are good players, but the team has played the strongest with a 9 man rotation of the starters plus Jose, Naji, Trey and Nance. Given the strength of that rotation, the Pelicans should focus on making sure their starting group and closing lineups get better. Especially because while the overall net rating of the team is good, the overall win percentage does not reflect that rating. New Orleans leverages its depth by not having any bad rotations out there (when healthy) and beating up on bad teams. However both the starting lineup and closing lineup have struggled overall, which is a problem because these are the most important lineups on a team.

Kessler gives the Pels a true rim protector who won't look for many offensive touches. I think this will clarify the roles in the starting unit. JV has been an amazing team player but having a lower usage big in the starting lineup will benefit the entire lineup. Additionally, Collins provides a scoring big who can shoot and convert at the rim which makes it tougher to double Zion in the clutch. He has also been a really good rebounder this year. You run some risk of defensive limitations with him as your 5 but you make up for it on the offensive end, and with BI and Z's defensive growth, I don't think you need a rim protector as much for those last 5 minutes.

For Utah you get the benefit of a win now piece in Larry who is both a great locker room guy and a really good backup big. He matches up better with Lauri because Lauri is a shooter. You also get developmental guys in Dyson Daniels, a fantastic point of attack defender with size and switchability and Jordan Hawkins an absolute gunner who already has an advanced movement shooter game. If Dyson shoots from 3 at a league average rate, its a wrap. He has show some progress in that area although he can stand to be more aggressive. Hawkins needs to get a bit stronger but his biggest issue was competing with veteran guys for minutes.

[babyjax13]

I think Hawkins has the most value here? I'm a pretty easy yes.

[Mamba4Goat]

I have Daniels>Hawkins>Kessler in terms of value. Nance>Collins too (mostly due to contracts)

In terms of fit, a slow footed more traditional, non spacing center is the last thing NO should want to pair Zion with. Utah should also be keeping one or the other in terms of Collins/Kessler if possible.

[lordjeff05]

So I agree on the value part, but acknowledge I might be a little biased as a Pels fan. I’m just sceptical a deal gets done without a value difference.

As for the fit, Zion’s numbers with Valancuinas are pretty good (plus 4 net rating per 100). I think they could maintain or even improve that with a switch of more shots going to CJ, bi and z that currently go to JV.

[tcheco]

not sure this works, Pelicans trading for 2 centers is weird, also I do believe Dyson and Hawkins both have more value than either Collins or Kessler.

[bkohler]

I think Utah would be a quick Yes - but I could also see them attempting to loop a third team in to take Nance and get some small value back. Not sure who would be the right fit to include.

[HadAnEffectHere]

I have Daniels>Hawkins>Kessler in terms of value. Nance>Collins too (mostly due to contracts)

In terms of fit, a slow footed more traditional, non spacing center is the last thing NO should want to pair Zion with. Utah should also be keeping one or the other in terms of Collins/Kessler if possible.

Daniels is easily behind Hawkins and Kessler in value. 64% from the line as a guard is death.

[Euphonetiks]

I have Daniels>Hawkins>Kessler in terms of value. Nance>Collins too (mostly due to contracts)

In terms of fit, a slow footed more traditional, non spacing center is the last thing NO should want to pair Zion with. Utah should also be keeping one or the other in terms of Collins/Kessler if possible.

Daniels is easily behind Hawkins and Kessler in value. 64% from the line as a guard is death.

Pels-biased, but I would take Daniels over Kessler straight up. Kessler is 55% from the line and less impactful defensively. Dyson's on ball and transition defense are isnane for a 20 year old. We have even started using him recently as a small ball center with Zion due to his length, strength, and rebounding instincts.

Dyson's form is not bad, but his shooting %'s are and he's pretty reluctant offensively. His first instinct is to get rid of the ball as fast as possible. We have had some luck improving non-shooters. If Dyson can become an average shooter for a combo guard and be willing to take corner 3's, he'd be a peak glue guy as he does so much outside of scoring.

[lordjeff05]

not sure this works, Pelicans trading for 2 centers is weird, also I do believe Dyson and Hawkins both have more value than either Collins or Kessler.

I think there is some value here in cutting cost and locking in a starting level asset on a rookie scale contract. That reduction in salary would allow us to resign some guys and maintain roster continuity and depth, which will be crucial with how loaded the West will be next year.

Do you think Utah would do Kessler for Dyson or Hawkins straight up?

[bkohler]

not sure this works, Pelicans trading for 2 centers is weird, also I do believe Dyson and Hawkins both have more value than either Collins or Kessler.

I think there is some value here in cutting cost and locking in a starting level asset on a rookie scale contract. That reduction in salary would allow us to resign some guys and maintain roster continuity and depth, which will be crucial with how loaded the West will be next year.

Do you think Utah would do Kessler for Dyson or Hawkins straight up?

I'm not sure they'd do it for one or the other but maybe Kessler + the Jazz late first / early second for both?

[tcheco]

not sure this works, Pelicans trading for 2 centers is weird, also I do believe Dyson and Hawkins both have more value than either Collins or Kessler.

I think there is some value here in cutting cost and locking in a starting level asset on a rookie scale contract. That reduction in salary would allow us to resign some guys and maintain roster continuity and depth, which will be crucial with how loaded the West will be next year.

Do you think Utah would do Kessler for Dyson or Hawkins straight up?

I'm not sure they'd do it for one or the other but maybe Kessler + the Jazz late first / early second for both?

What do you mean? Reduction in salary how? Dyson + Hawkins + Nance = 19M, Collins + Kessler = 27M. Not sure Kessler classifies as a starting level asset if he can't start in a lottery team.

Daniels for Kessler seems like could work fit wise for pelicans, but can't see they include Hawkins in this setup, would make much more sense to search for a trade elsewhere

[babyjax13]

I have Daniels>Hawkins>Kessler in terms of value. Nance>Collins too (mostly due to contracts)

In terms of fit, a slow footed more traditional, non spacing center is the last thing NO should want to pair Zion with. Utah should also be keeping one or the other in terms of Collins/Kessler if possible.

Collins needs to go. I love Kessler, but I don't mind having them both traded, I don't think either is good enough that you say "we have to have at least one of these guys on our roster." I do expect Kessler to be an average to just below-average starting center in the league, so I'm happy to have him long-term and invest resources at other positions.

[babyjax13]

not sure this works, Pelicans trading for 2 centers is weird, also I do believe Dyson and Hawkins both have more value than either Collins or Kessler.

I think there is some value here in cutting cost and locking in a starting level asset on a rookie scale contract. That reduction in salary would allow us to resign some guys and maintain roster continuity and depth, which will be crucial with how loaded the West will be next year.

Do you think Utah would do Kessler for Dyson or Hawkins straight up?

Kessler for Dyson is super interesting. I like Hawkins a lot, but he and George are not as good of a fit as George and Dyson.

[bkohler]

not sure this works, Pelicans trading for 2 centers is weird, also I do believe Dyson and Hawkins both have more value than either Collins or Kessler.

I think there is some value here in cutting cost and locking in a starting level asset on a rookie scale contract. That reduction in salary would allow us to resign some guys and maintain roster continuity and depth, which will be crucial with how loaded the West will be next year.

Do you think Utah would do Kessler for Dyson or Hawkins straight up?

Kessler for Dyson is super interesting. I like Hawkins a lot, but he and George are not as good of a fit as George and Dyson.

I'd pinch my nose but probably do it. I love Kessler for lots of reasons but I think you can replace him more easily than find a player like Dyson.