Road to a Championship start here, 2022 Draft.

[SharoneWright]

Any potential for Kira Adams Jr? Noticed Haliburton got taken 1 pick before him in 2020! Lol

[Whole Truth]

Any potential for Kira Adams Jr? Noticed Haliburton got taken 1 pick before him in 2020! Lol

Hard to say, he didn't get much opportunity after the CJ trade & his injury,. Jose stepped up & took his spot.

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BI heard the noise & stuck the dagger to quite the crowd... 28-10-10 triple double

Zion had a quite night offensively but put work in on the defensive end with 3 steals. Watching players walk by him most the season with little resistance, then you watch him stay in front of Melo & know it's effort & willingness. The crowed roared the stop, which you can tell fueled ZIon defensively as he picked up a steal on the very next defensive possession in the post.

Nance put on a show for Pops. Team high +21 in 19mins.

Hawk 6-9 from 3..21pts on 12 shots. This team has some efficient scorers to be ranked outside the top 10 for offense.

Saw the comments on the officiating. They were just trying to keep the game close. Pels put up 60pts with 10mins left in the 2nd Q, they were on pace for 90 first half points... Refs were just controlling the potential early blow out so viewers wouldn't tune out before the half.

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The most impressive stat last night was NO's shooting 53% from 3. Outside of when Daniels was on court, they didn't do as well defending the line. Hornets shot 42% from 3 on 45 attempts. That, their offensive rebounding & questionable officiating, kept them from an epic blow out

BI 7-11
Herb 2-3
CJ 4-9
Nance 1-1
Naji 3-5
Murphy 6-12
Hawkins 6-9

Good time to point out Nance is shooting 45% from 3 at an APG. It will be a big difference to go from hitting the open 3 more often than not to not an option. It's the very reason Nance has been effective in the dunkers spot.

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NO's put up 52pts by the 10:47 mark of the 2nd Q

Didn't score their next bucket till the 7 min mark (55pts) after putting up 52pts in 13mins.

Next bucket was at the 6:30 mark 57pts

Next bucket was at the 4:30 mark 60pts

Closed the half with 66 pts. (14pts in 9mins) from (52pts in 13mins). Murphy & CJ went cold in this stretch.

A big reason for the poor close to half was Hornets offensive rebounding. Reason Nance was subbed early but it didn't get much better with Jonas in. This team needs to learn how to box out their man & not watch others try to rebound. The other reason was the refs impacting the game to pull it close in what was heading to be an epic blow out. AD laughing at Jonas being fouled by 3 defenders at the rim with no call.. weak Zion moving screen, BI being called for a foul when he got all ball, the review of BI being vertical on a foul not over turned etc.. Hornets had no business being down only 5 at the half where NO's were trending to put up 80-90pts with 52pts 1 min into the 2nd Q.

Look for officiating patterns. Their intent was not to take the game from Pels but to keep it watchable for viewers in the mist of many boring blowout wins across the platform but you see in this stretch how much with calls & non calls a ref can manipulate a game & impact the outcome.

After NO's opened the game with a 43pt first Q. They came out firing 2nd Q & hit their first 3, 3's in a span of 1:13 for 52pts with 10:47 remaining. Officials turned momentum with the plays I described above & more. NO's finish the half with only 66pts where they were trending for 80-90. Give Hornets credit, they did a hell of job rebounding the ball but their run to close the half got help.

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NO's have 2 roster construct issues with no cap room. They have no depth behind an expiring 30yo Jonas at center, where they will eventually need a starting center as early as next season, if not extended. Like wise it wouldn't be smart to be in a position to extend CJ at 34 to a max contract, leaving a 2yr window with him for this roster before he starts to lose value in trade. While his 35m kills the team flexibility in extensions.

As there's none to take Jonas spot starting next season, Daniels hasn't shown the ball handling or offensive growth to be anything more than a defensive stopper. 3 & D player.

Pels have a couple options. Attach value to Jonas expiring for Allen or attach value to CJ for Murray/Okongwu.

Trading Jonas for Allen. You lose Jonas court value because Cavs will only view him as an expiring contract. So NO's would have to add value in taking on more salary for Allen who has no range & could potentially be a rough fit if the dunker spot theory gets put to test when teams only have to defend CJ. Whereas CJ is at a peak value shooting 44% on 9 APG. NO's have an opportunity to clear some salary & address both positions by trading him for Murray & Okongwu with 2, 2 way players at both positions of need. With Okongwu set to take a starting spot & Jonas expiring. NO's will get his court value for the remainder of the year & have option not to extend his 15m saving roughly 20m over the option to trade Jonas for Allen.

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Availability - Hawks have made everyone but JJ & Young available to trade

Price - Hawks are rumored to want 2 picks for Murray. Okongwu is a young bench player that hasn't proven he can start but has potential.

Trade - (CJ, NO's 24 top 5 protected, Bucks 27 unprotected) 35m for (Murray, Okongwu, Bruno) 28m

Detailing trade -

CJ McCollum SG, 32
2024 - 35.9m
2025 - 33.3m
2026 - 30m

NO's 24 top 5 protected. NO's currently 5th seed & improving. Protected top 5 for luck factor.
Bucks 27 unprotected. This pick could hold real value but you're trading an uncertain future for now & future

CJ shooting 44% on 9 APG is at peak value, where law of averages will come into play. In a short 2yr span, he will be 34, facing a max extension. Which either way, expiring or trade, means lost value in retention. While his max contract for off ball role, pushes the cap & tax limits.

for

Dejounte Murray, PG, 27 - large 12m trade kicker (3m per season)
2024 - 8.2m + 3m
2025 - 25.5m + 3m
2026 - 27.5m + 3m
2027 - 29.3m + 3m
2028 - 31.5m, team option

At 27 Murray is 5yrs younger than CJ. He has 2 additional years team control, where he will be CJ's current age at the end of his contract. Taking into account the trade kicker. He's 14m less in 24, 5m less in 25 & even in 26 on CJ's declining max contract. NO's save 21m on the upgrade while retaining value as he will hold more value in a couple years outside of sustained injury, than CJ on a declining max expiring.

Onyeka Okongwu C, 24
2024 - 8m
2925 - 14m
2026 - 15m
2027 - 16m
2928 - 16m

With Jonas 15m set to expire & Okongwu set to start. NO's not only shed Money trading CJ for Murray & Okongwu. They can also potentially shed Jonas 15m without worry of finding a replacement starter next season. Okongwu would be this teams version of Draymond Green. A 1-5 mobile switch defender with potential range. As a result of this trade NO's get to see how all 3 of Jonas, Nance & Okongwu function with Zion as insurance to trade.

Whereas with Murray who's offensive production is near identical to CJ's, they upgrade 2 position & cap with one trade while increasing the teams, finance, control & flexibility of choice. For the cost of CJ & 2 picks.

CJ = 19.6pts, 4.3 rebs, 5.1 ast on (46/44/79) shooting 58.6 eFG% (35m for 44% on 9 APG)
Murray = 21pts, 4.8 rebs, 4.8 ast on (47/38/82) shooting 53.8 eFG% (18m for 38% on 6 APG, + defender)
+
Okongwu = 9.5pts, 6.8 rebs, 1.4 ast on (58/28/81) shooting 61.4 eFG (Mobile switch 1-5 defender with range)

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According to the Ringer - Hawks are looking for 2 firsts but want expiring value.

With Magic looking for someone that can help them space the floor. I think I can make this trade better. Magic fan Cedric that posted a couple pages back inquiring about Murphy for that SG floor spacing role. He stated Magic have lots of expiring contracts, all their own picks & a couple extra picks.

I'm thinking CJ to Magic where they get 44% on 9 APG which they should highly value. Pelicans take back expiring value with their 2 extra firsts.

This would make my trade CJ straight for Murray & Okongwu.

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Magic own Denver's first in 25 which even though might be later in the draft than a NO's 24 pick. It's a stronger draft in 25.
2026 first from Suns or Washington. Washington having right to swap protected 9-30 if Washington has not conveyed to NY by 2025. Orlando gets the least favorable of Washington or Suns.

I think that Suns/Washington, pick could have value in 26. Don't see the leap for Washington & think Suns could fall by 26. Hawks fans seem to want a pick in 25 & 27 for Murray.

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Magic trade - (Garry Harris 13m, Jonathan Isaac 17m, Denver 25, Washington/Suns 26) for (CJ)

Hawks trade - (Murray 18m) for (Harris 13m exp, NO's 25, Bucks 27 unprotected)

Pelicans trade - (CJ, NO's 25, Bucks 27 unprotected) for (Murray 18m5/y, Isaac 17m/2y)

Jonas - Isaac - Zeller
Zion - Nance - EJ
BI - Murphy - Ryan
Herb - Hawkins - Naji
Murray - Daniels -Jose

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Magic trade - (Fultz, Harris, Denver 25 FRP, Washington/Suns 26 FRP) for (CJ)

Hawks trade - (Murray, Okongwu) for (Fultz, Harris, NO's 24, Denver 25, W/Suns 26, Bucks 27 unprotected)

Pelicans trade - (CJ, NO's 24, Bucks 27 unprotected) for (Murray, Okongwu)

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I like both Isaac & Okongwu as targets. Think Isaac is better but has more risk attached. Okongwu is cheaper, controlled for 5yrs apposed to Isaac's 2 & isn't the injury risk Isaac is.

I'm not very good with the pick value but here's my reasoning.

24 is a weak class & if Pelicans liked a player, the Lakers pick has a shot at lottery. Trading the pick 0 value saves a couple million depending the draft slot, taking into consideration NO's depth for development mins. They'd have to really like a player with the Lakers pick to not swap it for 25. Otherwise no picks = no added rookie salary facing extensions.

Bucks 27 has a chance to be good value but bird in the hand is better than 2 in the bush. Murray & Okongwu shore up 2 ageing positions, on team friendly contracts, for the next 5 seasons during their prime yrs.

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Magic need floor spacing - they get CJ shooting 44% on 9 APG for expiring value & 2 firsts.

Hawks want expiring value & 2 first for Murray - They get Harris NO's 25 & Bucks 27 unprotected

Pelicans want to get younger & better defensively - They get 2, 2way players in Murray & Okongwu

The 2 firsts CJ nets from Magic is what lands Okongwu for NO's

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Just like the Clippers. Trying to outplay a strong wing rotation with CJ. lol

CJ = 8pts on 3 of 10 shooting

Jonas = 16pts on 5 of 7 shooting

Jonas against strong guard play needs perimeter defense to advantage their weakness.

You start with CJ, go down 9 because you can't stop nothing, where you're also making no shots & turning the ball over. Decide to bring Daniels in to try & stop the bleeding when you now need offense to dig you out of the hole. Argggh

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It's clear Green doesn't know the strengths & weaknesses of his own players, more less to take advantage of an apposing teams weaknesses.

How do you start the 4th with Jonas where Naji is the best defender on the floor

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20% on 40 attempts from 3. With no defensive compensation. There's you're 20+ blow out.

I can't put my finger on it, why is it this team struggles against teams with strong guard play.

I don't know why I watched. I did already know how this was going to play out, just like the Clippers loss.

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I don't like to insult people so the following is going to take some restraint on my behalf.

MF's saying look how well Pelicans play with Nance, all they need to do is get a defensive C. As though Nance is not averaging 45% from 3, LMAO. I'm sure if you imagine a defender like Allen, that takes & makes none, he will slide right in lol.

The issue as pointed out with the starting rotation is the fact that Herb is not enough defensive compensation. It needs atleast one additional defender. The heads know it which is why they're contemplating trading Jonas for Allen. However, 2 starting lineups show the starters can improve by either playing Nance over Jonas or Daniels over CJ but there's more to it.

When you play Nance over Jonas, once again. Nance is shooting 45% from 3, so he's not a spacing issue. Teams that cheat off him give up an open 3 every other shot. Once again, Allen takes & makes none where Nance is shooting better from 3 than Jonas. Where I would call for Nance to start. His main issues are defensive rebounding & staying healthy in heavy mins. Where Jonas is a reliable minutes eater & closes possessions.

Starting Daniels over CJ. Daniels is shooting 28% from 3 apposed to CJ's 44% on volume, so you're giving up spacing for ball pressure but in that fact, the starting unit without CJ's spacing & ball pressure alone, has the higher +22 rating, than if you replace Jonas with Nance & lose nothing in their ability to hit an open shot.

Which brings me to people suggesting to take Herb out, lol. Where you need to add one more defender, they want to remove the only defender, shooting better than 35% on good volume, so CJ can remain in the starting rotation as the SG. .

Trade CJ for Murray - You get a guard playing out of position in a small backcourt to assume the PG role next to Herb in a bigger defensive backcourt. Murray is having a down season defensively but Last yr he led the league in steals & he was good before that, he didn't just forget how to defend. Young is a terrible defender. Pair Murray with Herb, you get a good defensive backcourt & better ball pressure but don't lose the ability to space with Murray shooting 38% from 3 as you did with Daniels shooting 28%. So while Murray may not be the man defender Daniels is, he provides the spacing he doesn't.

With Murray being a smaller contract than CJ, netting Okongwu in the deal, you also get the switch defender you want to trade Jonas for, where you can now let his contract expire to save 15m while getting the additional depth & look at how the 3 centre's play with Zion in hopefully a PO setting.

Jonas 38% on 2 APG, Nance 45% on 1 APG, Okongwu 1-5 defender 28% on 2 APG
Zion
BI
Herb 38% on 3 APG
Murray 38% on 6 APG

Problem was getting another defender with Herb without losing the ability to space. Allen takes & makes none. Murray shoots 38% on volume. With a side package of Okongwu because of how large CJ's salary is.

If Daniels starts to figure things out, Murray is a controlled asset that can be flipped with a team friendly contract adding value, where in 2yrs, you won't want to be in a position to have to extend a 34yo CJ to keep your window of contention open & in the case Daniels doesn't figure it out where CJ would be expiring, you would have 2 more yrs control of the younger Murray who will be CJ's current age at the end of that 5yrs control.

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Pelicans are heading down a bad road. I just saw the latest rumor where Herb is being attached to Jonas to net Allen. LMAO. In a guards league where you have a defender like Herb shooting 38% from 3 & he's the player you're tossing in trade

I've mentioned once before, Derozan for Kawhi was my trade idea when I was posting on the Raptors forum. There was 2 responses to the suggestion. One, Spurs would never accept that offer I'm delusional. 2, Derozan fans that loved him didn't want to trade him for Kawhi.

NO's are finding themselves in the same spot Toronto & Portland did. CJ is planting roots & endearing himself to the team & city where you're now trading your best 2 way player to compliment having him in rotation. How many seasons did Portland try to make a CJ & Dame backcourt work. You're trying that in CJ's twilight years & the outcome is going to be no different.

The issue in Portland was not their front court, it was their backcourts defense. Which you see here every time NO's face a guard heavy team.

I keep drawing reference to this. Watch all the Clippers matches with Jonas & you will see, the only time he's played off court or ineffective is with CJ on court. His touches go down & both are exposed defensively. Yet he's dominant playing with Hart, Herb & most recently, Daniels in CJ's injury.

CJ 3-10 vs Suns with Booker blitzing the Pels.. Allen will fix that.

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Jonas was traded to NO's in 21 at the start of the yr. CJ at the deadline

Here's their record against the guard heavy Clippers for their 3yr span in NO's

2021 - NOV 19 - (W) NO's 94, Jonas 26 & 13, +20, (no Zion, CJ) ----- Clippers 81 (no Kawhi)
2021 - NOV 29 - (W) NO's 123. Jonas 39 & 15, +22. (no Zion, CJ) ------ Clippers 104 (no Kawhi)
2022 - JAN 13 - (w) NO's 113, Jonas 18 & 16, + 16 (no Zion, CJ) ----- Clippers 89 (no Kawhi)

2022 - April 3 - (L) NO's 100, Jonas 6 FGA's 8 & 9, -21 (with CJ) ----- Clippers 119 (no, Kawhi)

With that guard heavy Clippers team what pattern do you see from the 3 wins & 1 loss with CJ.

Jonas in the 3 wins goes from heavy productive offensive usage + double figures, with Herb & Harts defensive compensation to 6 FGA's & -21 with CJ over Hart.

Fast forward to 2023/4

2023 - NOV 24 - (W) NO's 116, Jonas 12 & 8 +15 (Zion but no CJ) ----- Clippers 106 (both Kawhi & PG playing)
2024 - JAN 5 - (L) 95, Jonas 13 & 11 -7 (with CJ) ----- Clippers 111 (both Kawhi & PG playing

CJ is 1-2 in these 2 yrs vs Clippers with his only win coming with both PG & Kawhi out in the close play in win in 22. Jonas without CJ but a defensive guard, either Hart/Daniels, is 4-0 vs the same team they have losing record against with CJ.

Reason = with CJ in the rotation they play through him & not Jonas where Clippers are weak in the middle & in combination reduce the perimeter defense where Jonas without CJ goes from +15 or greater in his 4 wins to 2 games -21 & -7 with CJ.

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Jonas was traded to NO's in 21 at the start of the yr. CJ at the deadline

Here's their record against the guard heavy Clippers in 21-22 when they arrived & this yr to show the continued pattern.

2021 - NOV 19 - (W) NO's 94, Jonas 26 & 13, +20, (with Hart) ----- Clippers 81 (no Kawhi)
2021 - NOV 29 - (W) NO's 123. Jonas 39 & 15, +22. (with Hart) ------ Clippers 104 (no Kawhi)
2022 - JAN 13 - (w) NO's 113, Jonas 18 & 16, + 16 (with Hart) ----- Clippers 89 (no Kawhi)

2022 - April 3 - (L) NO's 100, Jonas 6 FGA's 8 & 9, -21 (with CJ) ----- Clippers 119 (no, Kawhi)

With that guard heavy Clippers team what pattern do you see from the 3 wins with Jonas & 1 loss with CJ ?.

Jonas in the 3 wins goes from heavy productive offensive usage & no net rating lower than +16, with Herb & Harts defensive compensation to 6 FGA's & -21 with CJ over Hart with reduced offensive usage.

Fast forward to 2023/4

2023 - NOV 24 - (W) NO's 116, Jonas 12 & 8 +15 (with Daniels) ----- Clippers 106 (both Kawhi & PG playing)

2024 - JAN 5 - (L) NO's 95, Jonas 13 & 11 -7 (with CJ) ----- Clippers 111 (both Kawhi & PG playing)

CJ is 1-2 in these 2 yrs vs Clippers with his only win coming with both PG & Kawhi out in the close play in win in 22. Jonas without CJ, with either Hart/Daniels, is 4-0 vs the exact same team they have losing record against with CJ.

Reason = with CJ in the rotation they play through him against the guard heavy team & not Jonas, where Clippers are weak in the middle & in combination, they reduce the perimeter defense where Jonas without CJ goes from +16 or greater in his 4 wins to 2 games with -21 & -7 with NO's playing through CJ hoping he can outplay Kawhi, PG & Harden, .

Hoping he can outplay KD, Booker & Beal.