Pelicans Purge - Zion, Ingram, Murray, McCollum

[MasterIchiro]

Ruffle me feathers.

The New Orleans Pelicans currently sit at 5-21, bad enough to qualify for 2nd worst win-loss record in the NBA as we approach the trade deadline.

Rumors continue to swirl around the Pelicans lean towards trading Brandon Ingram. Even Zion's name has surfaced as a potential trade candidate. Even if Williamson survives the trade deadline, there's a possibility he never returns to the court.

If the team presses on a tank for the 2025 Cooper Flagg draft, the veterans on the roster are unsafe. Pelicans can ensure losses and collect assets from a vet firesale.

Propose a trade for one of the vets on the Pelicans for your team.

I will start:

Hornets trade: Vasa Micic (expiring), Nick Smith Jr. (rookie scale), Grant Williams (3 yrs), Cody Martin (expiring) + the following picks for Dejounte Murray.

2027 Heat 1st (lotto-protected, turns unprotected 2028)
2025 Pelicans 2nd returned (32)
2025 Hornets 2nd (35)
2027 better of Blazers/Pelicans 2nd returned

[Texas Chuck]

What are their plans? Are they tearing it to the studs? Okay then maybe they pivot on Murray this fast. Not sure one shot at a decent asset gets him though. Especially since the entire return count be a non lotto first and some 2nds. Don't see New Orleans entertaining this.

And if you aren't/can't trade Zion then I doubt they tear it all down. So Murray feels like a guy they'd want to keep. It's not like he's going to win you a bunch of games. Simply not that kind of player.

[Texas Chuck]

My Dallas dream player is Herb Jones. Dallas can salary match with Maxi/Prosper, but they lack the incentive to attach so alas no offer from the little Mavs for the player we'd want.

[zimpy27]

I think Lakers pursue Murray. They wanted him in offseason but were best by Pelicans.

[LarsV8]

I would trade for Zion In the Offseason.

Jalen Green, 2025 Suns Pick for Zion

[fluffhead]

Murray would be perfect in golden state

Murray & theis 4
Melton Payton Anderson Podz ‘25 & 27 1st

[Skybox]

Posted this in ORL trade thread yesterday...
ORL sends: Jonathan Isaac, Cole Anthony, Gary Harris, DEN 25 frp, ORL 26 frp (top 10 protected)
NOLA sends: CJ McCollum, Herb Jones

NOLA is in a tailspin so, presuming they’re sticking with Zion, might look to semi-rebuild. Isaac has an excellent contract and fits next to Zion and Ingram very well. Murray’s arrival makes CJ movable, Trey’s ascendance makes moving Herb for assets something to consider. Isaac, while still playing somewhat limited minutes, projects a tremendous defensive presence from perimeter to rim and,imo, would be a terrific, completely unselfish example & mentor for Missi.
Isaac, Missi, Theis
Zion, Robinson-Earl
Ingram, Green
Hawkins,Harris
Murray, Anthony, Alvarado

ORL plays the timeline game with NOLA and comes away ready to contend in the East. Isaac’s defensive chaos is truly valued, but other additions step up in his role (Herb, AB, and KCP are long and defensively fierce enough to fill in). Goga’s emergence as a solid starter frees up WCJ to back up 4&5, along with Mo. Jones is a solid 2-way upgrade to the roster as well. CJ embraces the role and sacrifices to be an integral part of a winning opportunity/environment. He’s a locker room leader and is still a potent enough player to, occasionally, be the best player on the court.

[jbk1234]

I continue to be of the opinion that David Griffin doesn't have the type of runway necessary for a complete tear down. Having included Daniels in the Murray trade, if he turns around and trades Murray (before Murray has even really taken the court) for picks, it will be his successor who gets to actually use those picks.

Also, the Pels seem to be just fine engaging in an injury-enduced tank right now. Ingram's hurt again. Who knows when Zion gets back and Murray has already shown he can command a tank.

Finally, Murray is best on ball. The Hornets shouldn't target him given how clunky Trae and Murray were together.

[jayjaysee]

I think the best road is trading CJM and Ingram for whatever they return, accepting it won’t be much, and letting Zion miss as many games as possible this season.

Or just keep Ingram and just clear CJM’s 30 million for next year and help the tank this year. If you’re willing to pay Ingram and think the fit works, go ahead. I just think you need 3/d between Murray/Zion.

Try again next year with Murray, Trey, Herb, Zion, Missi and a top 5 pick.. Then probably shift to a full rebuild if that doesn’t look promising by next trade deadline.

I don’t mind trading Murray though. If you’re tanking this year and paying Ingram, trade Murray. You should want a lower usage guard with Zion/Ingram anyways..

[wemby]

Hornets trade: Vasa Micic (expiring), Nick Smith Jr. (rookie scale), Grant Williams (3 yrs), Cody Martin (expiring) + the following picks for Dejounte Murray.

2027 Heat 1st (lotto-protected, turns unprotected 2028)
2025 Pelicans 2nd returned (32)
2025 Hornets 2nd (35)
2027 better of Blazers/Pelicans 2nd returned

Forget about landing Dejounte Murray, Hornets would probably have to spend that much capital just for someone to take on Grant Willaims remaining deal, from the sound of his injury reports (practically blew everything in his knee). That seems like an extreme low ball offer.

[MasterIchiro]

Hornets trade: Vasa Micic (expiring), Nick Smith Jr. (rookie scale), Grant Williams (3 yrs), Cody Martin (expiring) + the following picks for Dejounte Murray.

2027 Heat 1st (lotto-protected, turns unprotected 2028)
2025 Pelicans 2nd returned (32)
2025 Hornets 2nd (35)
2027 better of Blazers/Pelicans 2nd returned

Forget about landing Dejounte Murray, Hornets would probably have to spend that much capital just for someone to take on Grant Willaims remaining deal, from the sound of his injury reports (practically blew everything in his knee). That seems like an extreme low ball offer.

Could easily sub Josh Green, subtract the 3 high seconds, add the Mavs 2027 1st protected 1-2.

So that's 2 lightly protected 1sts plus expiring contracts + Josh Green. If that's still a lowball offer I'm out.

[wemby]

Could easily sub Josh Green, subtract the 3 high seconds, add the Mavs 2027 1st protected 1-2.

So that's 2 lightly protected 1sts plus expiring contracts + Josh Green. If that's still a lowball offer I'm out.

That's a hell of a lot better. Don't think it gets it done, but not insulting.

[wemby]

Personally, the only player on that list I´d have been interested in for the Spurs is Dejounte Murray, but since signing CP3 and drafting Castle I think we're covered short (CP3) and long term (Castle) and I'd rather invest elsewhere and on someone who doesn't come with the personality baggage attached to Dejounte... I don't think I want him around this current Spurs core.

[jayjaysee]

Now that both teams are terrible…

When was the last time we visited;

Ingram for Collins and some mid/low value first or whatever value.

NOP tries Collins with Zion 16-20 mpg, Missi the other and gets a first while finishing their tank. Hopefully Missi develops and Collins works out as a really good third big next year.

Utah extends Ingram at some amount below the max obviously, lets him rest his ankle through October and goes with Kessler/Kyle. Pretends this is a one year tank.

[YayBasketball]

A tricky thing I'm finding with potential McCullom or Ingram trades-- 3 of the teams in the East I could see going for a play-in/off push: Hornets, Pistons, Bulls-- all have protections on their 1st this year that incentives them to miss the playoffs. Bulls lose their pick to Spurs if it's not top 10, Hornets to Spurs if it's not lotto, Pistons give it to MIN(?) if it's not top 13.

So I could see them going for McCullom or Ingram to give their young cores some meaningful end of season game experience, but then they want to keep their pick so they will probably just pass on adding them this season.

[giberish]

I don't see Murray being available. They gave a significant amount for him last summer and are still expecting him to be a key guy going forward.

Similarly I'd be really shocked if Herb Jones is moved. He fits with whatever other wing guys are around and they'll need (or at least strongly want) his friendly contract.

In general I expect NO plans on competing in 2025-6 so they'll want to keep most of their key guys.

It feels like it's primarily Ingram and McCollum on the market and I'm not sure when Ingram is expected back on-court.

[dcstanley]

LAL in: Dejounte Murray and Herb Jones
NOP in: Austin Reaves, D'angelo Russell (expiring), Jalen Hood Schifino (expiring), Max Christie, Maxwell Lewis (expiring), 2029 unprotected 1st, 2031 protected 1st

I would do this in a heartbeat but I'm sure New Orleans thinks they can get more for Jones and Murray in separate deals.

[Tim Lehrbach]

Now that both teams are terrible…

When was the last time we visited;

Ingram for Collins and some mid/low value first or whatever value.

NOP tries Collins with Zion 16-20 mpg, Missi the other and gets a first while finishing their tank. Hopefully Missi develops and Collins works out as a really good third big next year.

Utah extends Ingram at some amount below the max obviously, lets him rest his ankle through October and goes with Kessler/Kyle. Pretends this is a one year tank.

Might just be me, but I think the privilege of paying Ingram is a terrible way to spend a first round pick.

[Sactowndog]

A tricky thing I'm finding with potential McCullom or Ingram trades-- 3 of the teams in the East I could see going for a play-in/off push: Hornets, Pistons, Bulls-- all have protections on their 1st this year that incentives them to miss the playoffs. Bulls lose their pick to Spurs if it's not top 10, Hornets to Spurs if it's not lotto, Pistons give it to MIN(?) if it's not top 13.

So I could see them going for McCullom or Ingram to give their young cores some meaningful end of season game experience, but then they want to keep their pick so they will probably just pass on adding them this season.

Pels badly overplayed their hand in the Ingram deal. They should have traded Ingram to the Kings for what the Kings sent out for DeRozen.

[Skybox]

ORL sends: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, Gary Harris, Jett Howard, ORL 25 frp (top 5)
NOLA sends: CJ McCollum, Herb Jones

NOLA regroups with a nasty 2-way backcourt, with Murray & KCP (two long, fierce defenders who can also score), another frp this summer (or to flip). They save money with Harris' expiring and Cole can provide much of what CJ (would have) in a reserve combo guard role, for a lot less. Jett Howard is an intriguing young prospect with good size and offensive skill...his defensive ability has improved recently - probably from increased minutes and intense coaching from ORL's defensive-minded staff. Trey has become a better, younger, cheaper Herb and Hawkins is also ascending as a shooting wing, so while Herb is very good, he's also somewhat expendable and certainly sweetens a deal that CJ alone would never command. CJ is highly-compensated and older...while he's still very capable, given the collapse of NOLA's season, they'd love to move him out and save on their tax bill.

ORL gets a guy in CJ that can pick up the scoring and playmaking and steal some wins while Paolo & Franz get healthy and then settle into a significant role off the bench and as a locker room leader and, occasionally, still the most explosive scorer on the floor. He's still good enough to command the respect of defenders and young teammates, but he's been around long enough to know how to subjugate his game to compete for meaningful wins on a roster that complements him beautifully. They need each other. Herb is a solid role player, he'll get plenty of open looks and will fit right in to ORL's nightmarish defense. ORL shouldn't be picking any more 18 year olds this summer anyway, so they opt for proven vets...Paolo's max kicks in in a couple of years, so they can make decisions about CJ at that time...In the meantime, they put the pedal down and build out a team that can advance past the first round and maybe more NOW. KCP's leadership and defensive intensity are costly to give up, but these two additions cover those bases. Anthony Black's size and defensive ability move into a bigger role too and playing with a vet leader like CJ will only help his all-around development.

*I'd be willing to add the DEN 25 frp, but the valuations I read about CJ make me think it may not be required...NOLA can take all of the srps you want, if needed.