RealGM

NOP trades: Brandon Ingram, 2026 MIL/NOP 1st (higher), 2027 MIL/NOP 1st (higher), 2029 pick swap (NOP receives lowest of UTA/CLE/MIN/NOP/LAL 1st)
in: Lauri Markkanen, Jared Vanderbilt
The Pelicans swap Ingram for a better player who is a needed archetype for them (low usage relative to scoring, lots of off-ball damage, big), as well as a versatile defender who can be flipped for an expiring contract if they decide they need to cut some costs to help retain Lauri. Murray/Murphy/Jones/Zion/Lauri (6-man = CJ).

UTA trades: Lauri Markkanen
in: D'Angelo Russell, Gabe Vincent, 2027 LAL 1st (1-4 protection removed), 2029 LAL 1st, 2026 MIL/NOP 1st (higher), 2027 MIL/NOP 1st (higher), 2029 pick swap (NOP receives lowest of UTA/CLE/MIN/NOP/LAL 1st)
Utah receives 3 outright unprotected picks, the removal of the protections on the 2027 LAL 1st, and a swap they are likely to get to exercise in 2029. Russell expires at the end of the season, Vincent is matching salary for a future trade, and we can use cap space to see if we can absorb money for other picks.

LAL trades: D'Angelo Russell, Gabe Vincent, Jared Vanderbilt, 2027 LAL 1st (1-4 protection removed), 2029 LAL 1st
in: Brandon Ingram
The Lakers get an all-star(ish) caliber player to compliment Davis as LeBron ages and to provide some on-ball creation to take some of the load off LeBron. This also cuts about $5 million in salaries, so they won't have any first apron issues after resigning players. Utah could even take back someone (e.g., Wood) to give the Lakers a bit more wiggle room to use their TPMLE on someone (I'd really like it if they could get Tyus Jones). Reaves/Ingram/LeBron/Hachimura/Davis.

The problem is the 27 FRPs. Utah already has potentially 4 in that draft. Getting more may not be wise.

louc1970 wrote:The problem is the 27 FRPs. Utah already has potentially 4 in that draft. Getting more may not be wise.

The 27 technically has to be a swap I don’t think? Atlanta owns the worse of those two picks now

jayjaysee wrote:

louc1970 wrote:The problem is the 27 FRPs. Utah already has potentially 4 in that draft. Getting more may not be wise.

The 27 technically has to be a swap I don’t think? Atlanta owns the worse of those two picks now

No, it doesn't. Atlanta would get the worst, Utah would get the best. New Orleans will still have picks in 2026 and 2028 so there are no Stepien rule issues.

louc1970 wrote:The problem is the 27 FRPs. Utah already has potentially 4 in that draft. Getting more may not be wise.

Why not? They can be aggregated into higher picks and/or traded for future picks and/or traded for other stuff we want. Would I rather get some picks in 2026 and 2028? Absolutely, but those picks are locked by Stepien rules for almost every team in the league.

No where near enough for Utah.

Also way too good for LA

babyjax13 wrote:

jayjaysee wrote:

louc1970 wrote:The problem is the 27 FRPs. Utah already has potentially 4 in that draft. Getting more may not be wise.

The 27 technically has to be a swap I don’t think? Atlanta owns the worse of those two picks now

No, it doesn't. Atlanta would get the worst, Utah would get the best. New Orleans will still have picks in 2026 and 2028 so there are no Stepien rule issues.

That would be true but the OP has them trading a 2026 first?

Not sure if I’m missing something.

Lauri presents the same problems for NOP as Ingram does (even if he is theoretically a better fi); forward glut. With Trey/Herb/Zion, its clear they should be targeting an offensive guard upgrade from CJ. Using their assets on Lauri is counter productive

AingesBurner wrote:No where near enough for Utah.

3 unprotected 1sts, an unprotected swap as well as removing protections on a pick already owned. Utah can want what they want, but if this isnt enough, he's just not getting traded. Knicks offer for Bridges is the exception; teams dont usually empty barrel for lower tier all-stars.

jayjaysee wrote:

babyjax13 wrote:

jayjaysee wrote:
The 27 technically has to be a swap I don’t think? Atlanta owns the worse of those two picks now

No, it doesn't. Atlanta would get the worst, Utah would get the best. New Orleans will still have picks in 2026 and 2028 so there are no Stepien rule issues.

That would be true but the OP has them trading a 2026 first?

Not sure if I’m missing something.

Ah, you are right, I've messed that up - New Orleans has the picks to make it work so if the fundamentals of the deal make sense I think Lauri to the Pelicans makes some sense.

Lauri over Ingram is an upgrade, but it doesnt solve NOP lack of Center, they already have good forwards. NOP should use those assets on a center and to upgrade McCollum.

JHFVF07 wrote:Lauri over Ingram is an upgrade, but it doesnt solve NOP lack of Center, they already have good forwards. NOP should use those assets on a center and to upgrade McCollum.

I think Lauri at center can work. The issue for new Orleans is that there are very few centers who are an ideal fit with Zion. But, if they did this they ... imo ... would still have the assets for a guy like WCJ.

babyjax13 wrote:

JHFVF07 wrote:Lauri over Ingram is an upgrade, but it doesnt solve NOP lack of Center, they already have good forwards. NOP should use those assets on a center and to upgrade McCollum.

I think Lauri at center can work. The issue for new Orleans is that there are very few centers who are an ideal fit with Zion. But, if they did this they ... imo ... would still have the assets for a guy like WCJ.

I agree. Lauri in would work on pelicans. They can still go big with Murray, Herb, Lauri, Zion, Theis if they really want to but Murphy in for Theis will be the way. CJ as 6th man

babyjax13 wrote:

louc1970 wrote:The problem is the 27 FRPs. Utah already has potentially 4 in that draft. Getting more may not be wise.

Why not? They can be aggregated into higher picks and/or traded for future picks and/or traded for other stuff we want. Would I rather get some picks in 2026 and 2028? Absolutely, but those picks are locked by Stepien rules for almost every team in the league.

The issue is getting 4, 5, 6 FRP in one draft is just not functional.
The team will not have enough roster spots. And even if there were, the playing time for 4-6 rookies is difficult to find.
As OKC is finding, the value of the picks goes down with the more you have. Everyone knows the team will have dump them.

babyjax13 wrote:

jayjaysee wrote:

babyjax13 wrote:No, it doesn't. Atlanta would get the worst, Utah would get the best. New Orleans will still have picks in 2026 and 2028 so there are no Stepien rule issues.

That would be true but the OP has them trading a 2026 first?

Not sure if I’m missing something.

Ah, you are right, I've messed that up - New Orleans has the picks to make it work so if the fundamentals of the deal make sense I think Lauri to the Pelicans makes some sense.

Yeah, an unrealistic twist could be sending CJ and Ingram out and bringing Kessler and Lauri in.

Finger math says NOP could sit on 11-13~ million in cap space.. Enough for a 2 year renegotiation at least? Or a 2+player option..

jayjaysee wrote:

babyjax13 wrote:

jayjaysee wrote:
That would be true but the OP has them trading a 2026 first?

Not sure if I’m missing something.

Ah, you are right, I've messed that up - New Orleans has the picks to make it work so if the fundamentals of the deal make sense I think Lauri to the Pelicans makes some sense.

Yeah, an unrealistic twist could be sending CJ and Ingram out and bringing Kessler and Lauri in.

Finger math says NOP could sit on 11-13~ million in cap space.. Enough for a 2 year renegotiation at least? Or a 2+player option..

If that's possible, that would be ideal. Otherwise, I don't see GM Griffin giving up such pick risk for Markkanen on an expiring contract with no immediate extension in place. But as fans, yea we would love to see them really push chips in to go for it getting LM.