Kessler for Missi+

[YayBasketball]

Pels get: Kessler
Jazz get: Missi + '28 NOP 1st (top-4 prot.)*

*picks/swap negotiable

Jazz cash in on Kessler, get a rookie scale project big to develop, and a future 1st while clearing up the Kessler contract cloud.

Pels fix their rebounding and rim protection issue, try to extend Kessler now before season or have a wink agreement with his reps for a new contract next offseason.

[SlimShady83]

I'm a Kessler fan, so really want him on the Lakers, but as I've stated else where as long as it's not Bos/Den/Clip I'm fine.

That said I'll let others have their say in this trade as I don't know much on Missi, but I think Jazz want 1 younger player which you got and 2 FRP's at least, which you also included as pick swaps? so we'll see what others have to say on the matter, especially Jazz fans You know who I'm talking about.

[Devilanche]

Kessler need to be extended soon. I don’t think New Orleans is the right fit to be in line for that payout nor including any draft assets.

Minimally if I’m paying for the rights to extend him I want to be a team that’s realistically fighting for home court so top 8-12 teams(both conference included)

For everyone else , keep the cost controlled assets.

[SkyHook]

If the Pels wanted Kessler, the time to pursue him would have been when they still had the FRP they wasted to get Queen.

[gswhoops]

If the Pels wanted Kessler, the time to pursue him would have been when they still had the FRP they wasted to get Queen.

Yeah NOP isn't going to spend another future 1st to get Kessler (who they'd then need to extend) when they just spent a future 1st to get their center of the future in Queen.

I think if anything you'd be looking at a Queen for Kessler deal more or less straight up (which I think both sides would reject)

[penbeast0]

Or a Kessler for Missi deal that gives little draft value with the main value being Missi and his cost controlled contract if you are a fan of the Frenchman. A top 4 protected first for a shaky team like the Pelicans is too much for what he brings to that particular franchise assuming no other deals.

[HornetJail]

NOLA should NOT be trading any more of their own future 1sts. Pretty good chance that pick winds up more valuable than either of the prospects being swapped... just like NOP/ATL draft trade this year.

[gswhoops]

NOLA should NOT be trading any more of their own future 1sts. Pretty good chance that pick winds up more valuable than either of the prospects being swapped... just like NOP/ATL draft trade this year.

That draft day deal is still just baffling. Massive haul for a questionable prospect who's a bad fit with your best player.

[HadAnEffectHere]

NOLA should NOT be trading any more of their own future 1sts. Pretty good chance that pick winds up more valuable than either of the prospects being swapped... just like NOP/ATL draft trade this year.

That draft day deal is still just baffling. Massive haul for a questionable prospect who's a bad fit with your best player.

And a bad fit with the prospect you just picked at #6!

Weaver cares about literally nothing other than the 100th percentile upside. **** fit, **** likelihood of hitting, we're swinging for stars... It's interesting...

[gswhoops]

NOLA should NOT be trading any more of their own future 1sts. Pretty good chance that pick winds up more valuable than either of the prospects being swapped... just like NOP/ATL draft trade this year.

That draft day deal is still just baffling. Massive haul for a questionable prospect who's a bad fit with your best player.

And a bad fit with the prospect you just picked at #6!

Weaver cares about literally nothing other than the 100th percentile upside. **** fit, **** likelihood of hitting, we're swinging for stars... It's interesting...

There's some logic to the "swing for the fences every time" draft strategy...if you're bottoming out and rebuilding from nothing, a la the Process Sixers. But if that's the case, then they should be trading guys like Zion and Murphy for assets and not trading away high-upside future 1st round picks!

[HadAnEffectHere]

That draft day deal is still just baffling. Massive haul for a questionable prospect who's a bad fit with your best player.

And a bad fit with the prospect you just picked at #6!

Weaver cares about literally nothing other than the 100th percentile upside. **** fit, **** likelihood of hitting, we're swinging for stars... It's interesting...

There's some logic to the "swing for the fences every time" draft strategy...if you're bottoming out and rebuilding from nothing, a la the Process Sixers. But if that's the case, then they should be trading guys like Zion and Murphy for assets and not trading away high-upside future 1st round picks!

I think Weaver's idea is that if everyone hits their max upside, he wins a title and looks like a genius and if that doesn't happen, who will ever remember him anyway.

So Zion is kept because Zion's 100th percentile outcome is still great. Future picks are traded away because in the best case scenario, you won't need them... He's kind of optimizing for how he's potentially remembered instead of for the success of his team. If everything goes right, he's historically loved. If not, he'll be forgotten regardless.

[gswhoops]

And a bad fit with the prospect you just picked at #6!

Weaver cares about literally nothing other than the 100th percentile upside. **** fit, **** likelihood of hitting, we're swinging for stars... It's interesting...

There's some logic to the "swing for the fences every time" draft strategy...if you're bottoming out and rebuilding from nothing, a la the Process Sixers. But if that's the case, then they should be trading guys like Zion and Murphy for assets and not trading away high-upside future 1st round picks!

I think Weaver's idea is that if everyone hits their max upside, he wins a title and looks like a genius and if that doesn't happen, who will ever remember him anyway.

So Zion is kept because Zion's 100th percentile outcome is still great. Future picks are traded away because in the best case scenario, you won't need them... He's kind of optimizing for how he's potentially remembered instead of for the success of his team. If everything goes right, he's historically loved. If not, he'll be forgotten regardless.

That's a special kind of insane lol

[HornetJail]

Dumars partially runs that FO too right? I'm terrified of that team whenever they have cap space too

[tcheco]

2 picks for queen and now young decent center and pick for another center? that needs to get paid now and cant space the floor for Zion? Sign me up

[lordjeff05]

I'm a big Kessler fan...if the Pelicans are even remotely considering something like this during the year it would mean that they are looking alot better than currently projected. Reason being that you only make this move if you like what you are seeing from Zion. Even with our pick out of the door this year, you only commit to a young vet who needs to be paid like Kessler if he works with your core guys. Its a weird situation because if the team is playing better than expected it puts less pressure on the front office to ensure that the trade was worth it. Like if they make the playoffs, then there's not alot of need to play a guy more minutes than needed because you got you used a 13th in 2025 to give up your 2026 16th pick. If the team is doing poorly then you don't want to sell off future assets even though there is no incentive to play poorly this year.

I know we generally talk about picks but honestly anything after pick number 9 or 10 shouldnt arbitrarily be a priority for your team, point blank. If the trio of zion trey and herb looks good (and healthy) this year, that should dictate future moves more than anything.

[hugepatsfan]

IMO, Missi looks like a decent enough prospect such that him having 3 years of rookie contract vs. 1 for Kessler makes this tough to work out. I'm not overly high on Kessler. He's obviously better and more established, but I don't think I'd add any picks on top of Missi for him. I'd do a straight swap if Utah just wanted to extend the rookie contract timeline and bank on Missi's development vs. gambling on future picks that are totally variable.