RealGM

It looks like a few teams may fall off, but some are rising...what do you think and why?

from last year: Blazers out , OKC in... i think we are going to be in the fight for the 7-8 seed with Dallas, Kings and Suns.
If we are healthy, i have no doubt we are in.

mvpelicans wrote:from last year: Blazers out , OKC in... i think we are going to be in the fight for the 7-8 seed with Dallas, Kings and Suns.
If we are healthy, i have no doubt we are in.

No Utah in the fight? They were playing pretty well at the end.

Utah is going to be there, but i think their pg and c are very young. Last year after the trade (motivation?) they played very well on defense, but this year they are going to take a step back.

It really depends on health but I could see the Pelicans getting as high as 4 if healthy. I think they are every bit as good as Houston, Memphis and arguably have more talent

pelifan wrote:It really depends on health but I could see the Pelicans getting as high as 4 if healthy. I think they are every bit as good as Houston, Memphis and arguably have more talent

Wow, really as good as Memphis and Houston right now? That seems a bit aggressive. Houston surprises me how good they are but I don't see the Pelicans quite there yet.

bwgood77 wrote:

pelifan wrote:It really depends on health but I could see the Pelicans getting as high as 4 if healthy. I think they are every bit as good as Houston, Memphis and arguably have more talent

Wow, really as good as Memphis and Houston right now? That seems a bit aggressive. Houston surprises me how good they are but I don't see the Pelicans quite there yet.

I mean I could just as easily see us miss the playoffs. But I don't get why people cap the Pelicans at 7. That's barely improvement. Anthony Davis was a little overrated last season but I expect him to take another leap.

I don't think the Pels will look the same as they did last season. Qpon, Cole and Cunningham were in season additions. Jrue and Anderson missed time and I expect both to have bounce back years. Ajinca and Gordon found their roles in the 2nd half of the season and the defense improved. I think between Gentry and Erman we have much better coaching than under Williams.

But yea just as easily it could blow up and be a disaster, Qpon, Gordon, Ajinca, Cole regress. Jrue, Anderson, Asik can't stay healthy.

pelifan wrote:

bwgood77 wrote:

pelifan wrote:It really depends on health but I could see the Pelicans getting as high as 4 if healthy. I think they are every bit as good as Houston, Memphis and arguably have more talent

Wow, really as good as Memphis and Houston right now? That seems a bit aggressive. Houston surprises me how good they are but I don't see the Pelicans quite there yet.

I mean I could just as easily see us miss the playoffs. But I don't get why people cap the Pelicans at 7. That's barely improvement. Anthony Davis was a little overrated last season but I expect him to take another leap.

I don't think the Pels will look the same as they did last season. Qpon, Cole and Cunningham were in season additions. Jrue and Anderson missed time and I expect both to have bounce back years. Ajinca and Gordon found their roles in the 2nd half of the season and the defense improved. I think between Gentry and Erman we have much better coaching than under Williams.

But yea just as easily it could blow up and be a disaster, Qpon, Gordon, Ajinca, Cole regress. Jrue, Anderson, Asik can't stay healthy.

I think they will take a leap. I love the Gentry hiring but the problem in the west is GS, MEM, LAC, SA and Houston. I guess thinking about that, they could take a leap to some extent. Perhaps the 6 seed isn't even out of reach. As a matter of fact, maybe two more teams who didn't make it will. I think Dallas might squeak in if healthy, but I think Phx and Utah also have a shot. I wouldn't put either ahead of the Pels though. I guess I was thinking there were more great teams in the west, but with Portland and Dallas taking steps back, perhaps not.

feel that the Pels could make a couple of moves towards obtaining more durable bodies(not an easy task) to take some pressure off AD23. Considering the injury history of have the Pels roster, it's a cause for concern when you're in the Western Conference fighting for a playoff spot when a team continues to miss half their roster down the stretch.

Best case scenario:

With Portland and Dallas likely to step back and Thunder, Kings(maybe), and Jazz stepping up to the challenge, it will be a difficult task for the Pels with the roster they have. At best I have them at either 7th or 8th and losing in the first round.

Worse case scenario:

They miss the playoffs due to injuries and not making the proper moves to improve around AD23 to go deep into their playoff run.

SD2042 wrote:feel that the Pels could make a couple of moves towards obtaining more durable bodies(not an easy task) to take some pressure off AD23. Considering the injury history of have the Pels roster, it's a cause for concern when you're in the Western Conference fighting for a playoff spot when a team continues to miss half their roster down the stretch.

Best case scenario:

With Portland and Dallas likely to step back and Thunder, Kings(maybe), and Jazz stepping up to the challenge, it will be a difficult task for the Pels with the roster they have. At best I have them at either 7th or 8th and losing in the first round.

Worse case scenario:

They miss the playoffs due to injuries and not making the proper moves to improve around AD23 to go deep into their playoff run.

I'm sure they could trade for Markieff Morris, but it would require Ryan Anderson. I don't think they would do it, but if they were worried about having to re-sign him next summer when he is a free agent, they would at least have Markieff locked down. Or a three way with Orlando who needs scoring, and Frye going to NO (and probably a pick from the Suns and/or Magic). Gentry has coached Frye before and he likes stretch 4s....though that is the same reason I doubt he would trade Anderson..because he is better than Frye, but both Frye and Markieff are at least locked in for awhile.

bwgood77 wrote:

SD2042 wrote:feel that the Pels could make a couple of moves towards obtaining more durable bodies(not an easy task) to take some pressure off AD23. Considering the injury history of have the Pels roster, it's a cause for concern when you're in the Western Conference fighting for a playoff spot when a team continues to miss half their roster down the stretch.

Best case scenario:

With Portland and Dallas likely to step back and Thunder, Kings(maybe), and Jazz stepping up to the challenge, it will be a difficult task for the Pels with the roster they have. At best I have them at either 7th or 8th and losing in the first round.

Worse case scenario:

They miss the playoffs due to injuries and not making the proper moves to improve around AD23 to go deep into their playoff run.

I'm sure they could trade for Markieff Morris, but it would require Ryan Anderson. I don't think they would do it, but if they were worried about having to re-sign him next summer when he is a free agent, they would at least have Markieff locked down. Or a three way with Orlando who needs scoring, and Frye going to NO (and probably a pick from the Suns and/or Magic). Gentry has coached Frye before and he likes stretch 4s....though that is the same reason I doubt he would trade Anderson..because he is better than Frye, but both Frye and Markieff are at least locked in for awhile.

If a three way were to happen between these three teams, then who would the Suns look to get back in return? Not too sure how they feel about Aaron Gordon(University of Arizona) and Andrew Nicholson for a possible package or maybe Tobias Harris?

Here's this trade.

NOP trades R. Anderson
NOP receives C. Frye and 2017 future 1st round pick unprotected

PHX trades M. Morris
PHX receives Aaron Gordon and A. Nicholson

ORL trades C.Frye, A. Gordon, A.Nicholson, and 2017 future first round pick unprotected
ORL receives R.Anderson and M.Morris


My main concern about the trade is on Morris. He and his brother's assault charges have been sent up to the jury. There's no telling how things may play out from there. There's also the likelihood of a NBA suspension to be in play for both brothers if this trial doesn't end in their favor.

SD2042 wrote:

bwgood77 wrote:

SD2042 wrote:feel that the Pels could make a couple of moves towards obtaining more durable bodies(not an easy task) to take some pressure off AD23. Considering the injury history of have the Pels roster, it's a cause for concern when you're in the Western Conference fighting for a playoff spot when a team continues to miss half their roster down the stretch.

Best case scenario:

With Portland and Dallas likely to step back and Thunder, Kings(maybe), and Jazz stepping up to the challenge, it will be a difficult task for the Pels with the roster they have. At best I have them at either 7th or 8th and losing in the first round.

Worse case scenario:

They miss the playoffs due to injuries and not making the proper moves to improve around AD23 to go deep into their playoff run.

I'm sure they could trade for Markieff Morris, but it would require Ryan Anderson. I don't think they would do it, but if they were worried about having to re-sign him next summer when he is a free agent, they would at least have Markieff locked down. Or a three way with Orlando who needs scoring, and Frye going to NO (and probably a pick from the Suns and/or Magic). Gentry has coached Frye before and he likes stretch 4s....though that is the same reason I doubt he would trade Anderson..because he is better than Frye, but both Frye and Markieff are at least locked in for awhile.

If a three way were to happen between these three teams, then who would the Suns look to get back in return? Not too sure how they feel about Aaron Gordon(University of Arizona) and Andrew Nicholson for a possible package or maybe Tobias Harris?

Here's this trade.

NOP trades R. Anderson
NOP receives C. Frye and 2017 future 1st round pick unprotected

PHX trades M. Morris
PHX receives Aaron Gordon and A. Nicholson

ORL trades C.Frye, A. Gordon, A.Nicholson, and 2017 future first round pick unprotected
ORL receives R.Anderson and M.Morris

That's fairly good value for everyone, but I think Phoenix and New Orleans want to compete next season and these trades for them, lessen their ability to do it. But on the surface, if you are looking purely at the future it would be decent, and Orlando would get a massive upgrade in scoring, so I don't think that pick would be really high.

bwgood77 wrote:

SD2042 wrote:

bwgood77 wrote:
I'm sure they could trade for Markieff Morris, but it would require Ryan Anderson. I don't think they would do it, but if they were worried about having to re-sign him next summer when he is a free agent, they would at least have Markieff locked down. Or a three way with Orlando who needs scoring, and Frye going to NO (and probably a pick from the Suns and/or Magic). Gentry has coached Frye before and he likes stretch 4s....though that is the same reason I doubt he would trade Anderson..because he is better than Frye, but both Frye and Markieff are at least locked in for awhile.

If a three way were to happen between these three teams, then who would the Suns look to get back in return? Not too sure how they feel about Aaron Gordon(University of Arizona) and Andrew Nicholson for a possible package or maybe Tobias Harris?

Here's this trade.

NOP trades R. Anderson
NOP receives C. Frye and 2017 future 1st round pick unprotected

PHX trades M. Morris
PHX receives Aaron Gordon and A. Nicholson

ORL trades C.Frye, A. Gordon, A.Nicholson, and 2017 future first round pick unprotected
ORL receives R.Anderson and M.Morris

That's fairly good value for everyone, but I think Phoenix and New Orleans want to compete next season and these trades for them, lessen their ability to do it. But on the surface, if you are looking purely at the future it would be decent, and Orlando would get a massive upgrade in scoring, so I don't think that pick would be really high.

In the case of the pick, would it need to be 2016 to pose more value?

Also the reason I for Gordon and Nicholson being involve is more of the future standpoint. PHX to me is reading more like the Celtics of this past season, mediocre and decent enough to get by, but missing more substance to stay afloat in the tough Western Conference. With the way the offseason has shaped up with all the moves, I'm having a hard time seeing PHX in the top 8 seeding in the playoff race unless injuries were to befall certain teams like what happened to the Thunder last season.

Assuming no major injuries happens:

Teams that 100% make the playoffs
Warriors
Spurs
OKC
Memphis
Clippers
Rockets

That leave last 2 playoffs spots for
Dallas
Utah
Suns
Pelicans

I don't belive Kings will be in the fight for playoffs. They are a horrible managed team and even when something starts working for them they just must screw everything up.

Teams with no chance of making playoffs
Wolves
Portland
Lakers
Nuggets

So imo Pelicans has about 50% chance of making the playoffs and I don't think they will end higher than 7-8 seed. But who knows I may be wrong

Damkac wrote:Assuming no major injuries happens:

Teams that 100% make the playoffs
Warriors
Spurs
OKC
Memphis
Clippers
Rockets

That leave last 2 playoffs spots for
Dallas
Utah
Suns
Pelicans

I don't belive Kings will be in the fight for playoffs. They are a horrible managed team and even when something starts working for them they just must screw everything up.

Teams with no chance of making playoffs
Wolves
Portland
Lakers
Nuggets

So imo Pelicans has about 50% chance of making the playoffs and I don't think they will end higher than 7-8 seed. But who knows I may be wrong

I'd say 8th seed if Matthews, Parsons and D. Will bounces back. I can't see Utah or PHX making the playoffs.