CHA-CHI-NOP (Batum to Pelicans)

[pelifan]

Moore had few fine games on offense, but he is not that good on defense this season, and is more of an average than actually good defender, while Batum has been improving as shooter since return, other parts of his game are there (rebs, assists). Not to mention Batum can cover both SG and SF positions, which is of greater value for Pels.

Once he is back at 100% he'll be great all around addition on both sides, especially long term, with his playmaking ability along Holiday who is good but not great running the team.

I'd consider him significant upgrade to what they currently have on wings (and I thinm Hill is better than Moore, especially in small role they'd have on offence).

As for cost, it in part is, more speaking long term, since both Asik and Ajinca are under contract for next season, so it basically saves them appx four mil. over this and next season, while bringing considerably better production imo. Next two are bit problematic, but they'd be over the cap either way, so better to add someone significant when they have a chance.

Moore is playing small forward right now. He's not equipped to do so, he's at least above averageto good defensivlely when at his natural position. Moore is also a great shooter on a team that needs them badly, Batum is not.

I'm not doing this trade. It gets rid of the Pelicans only real bargain contract for an overpaid player even at 100% who may never be the same. If it were Hill instead of Moore... I'd think about it.

Batum shouldn't be worth positive value. Sorry but it's true.

I put Moore as I taught Pels would want to keep Hill as he is better more versatile defender and has upped has 3pt shooting to end the season. Also, don't think Moore keeps 45% for season.

Not sure whether it would make a great, deal breaking, difference for Horners here, since player they are getting back isn't crucial imo, but I'd leave their fans to judge it. And Hill would have place in their rotation too.

Batum is 36% shooter on 4.5 atts for 3pt, per career. At 100% he is pretty good defender and 15-5-5 player who can be secondary ball handler from wing which is pretty valuable imo.

Lastly, one genuine question for Pelicans fan:
would you prefer to trade your 1st round pick this year for upgrade (and what player that would be if that is the case) or keep it, trying to push for playoffs with team as is, given Hill is getting closer to return and he'd (ideally) give you that 3&D wing you are lacking? And, do you prefer Holiday-Moore or Rondo-Holiday backcourt (in other words, do you see Holiday running the point)?

Yea I know what Batum can be, but he's just been so inconsistent even when healthy. A Hill, Batum wing combo, with Holiday at point is not ideal from a shooting standpoint.

Personally I'd rather hold on to the pick at least until the offseason when Asik and Ajinca become mostly expiring deals. I think this is a playoff team as is and that this team is better off making that key addition draft night to entice Cousins to come back than take the risk now and have it blow up in their face and Cousins leave. The Asik, Ajinca FRP package will have much more value then than it does now.

I prefer Holiday starting at 2 guard regardless of who is playing the point. You can look at his splits, he's just a much better player when starting at the 2. Probably still finish games with some combo of Holiday, Moore, Hill, Darius Miller, but for whatever reason Holiday has to get in rhythm starting the game at 2. If Hill looks good when he comes back, point guard might actually be this team's biggest need.

[realEAST]

Moore is playing small forward right now. He's not equipped to do so, he's at least above averageto good defensivlely when at his natural position. Moore is also a great shooter on a team that needs them badly, Batum is not.

I'm not doing this trade. It gets rid of the Pelicans only real bargain contract for an overpaid player even at 100% who may never be the same. If it were Hill instead of Moore... I'd think about it.

Batum shouldn't be worth positive value. Sorry but it's true.

I put Moore as I taught Pels would want to keep Hill as he is better more versatile defender and has upped has 3pt shooting to end the season. Also, don't think Moore keeps 45% for season.

Not sure whether it would make a great, deal breaking, difference for Horners here, since player they are getting back isn't crucial imo, but I'd leave their fans to judge it. And Hill would have place in their rotation too.

Batum is 36% shooter on 4.5 atts for 3pt, per career. At 100% he is pretty good defender and 15-5-5 player who can be secondary ball handler from wing which is pretty valuable imo.

Lastly, one genuine question for Pelicans fan:
would you prefer to trade your 1st round pick this year for upgrade (and what player that would be if that is the case) or keep it, trying to push for playoffs with team as is, given Hill is getting closer to return and he'd (ideally) give you that 3&D wing you are lacking? And, do you prefer Holiday-Moore or Rondo-Holiday backcourt (in other words, do you see Holiday running the point)?

Yea I know what Batum can be, but he's just been so inconsistent even when healthy. A Hill, Batum wing combo, with Holiday at point is not ideal from a shooting standpoint.

Personally I'd rather hold on to the pick at least until the offseason when Asik and Ajinca become mostly expiring deals. I think this is a playoff team as is and that this team is better off making that key addition draft night to entice Cousins to come back than take the risk now and have it blow up in their face and Cousins leave. The Asik, Ajinca FRP package will have much more value then than it does now.

I prefer Holiday starting at 2 guard regardless of who is playing the point. You can look at his splits, he's just a much better player when starting at the 2. Probably still finish games with some combo of Holiday, Moore, Hill, Darius Miller, but for whatever reason Holiday has to get in rhythm starting the game at 2. If Hill looks good when he comes back, point guard might actually be this team's biggest need.

I can understand this line of thinking especially if you consider Pels as playoff team with this roster (I think they are too to be honest, maybe even better, but at least 7-8th seed).

I figured, after thinking about several Pels trades I posted, that PG might be you biggest position of need going forward - in part why I came with idea of adding Batum, as a playmaking wing.

In context od draft night Pels might be in range to draft Duval, who is an interesting option through draft, although a non shooter.

Guess you hope there will be some trade opportunities too by then, I can't think of any tradable PGs that fit your description at the moment (shooting floor general is how I'd put it) - maybe buy low on Payton, but you keep hoping he develops that shooting part of equation, or go after George Hill, but I'd rather take chance on Batum than him I guess.

[lordjeff05]

Batum could potentially work reaaaalllly well on the Pels. If he runs the point it frees Jrue to play the way he is playing on offense while allowing him to guard the 1 full time on defense. That’s a scary defensive team with Hill starting.

The problem is we can’t pay our 4th best player that much money when our top 3 players are all making max or near max.

The Pels need a big point guard that can defend the 2 or 3 spot. I’ve said it before but Spencer Dinwiddie would be perfect. He’s this year’s Meyers Leonard ( dude I’m completely willing to overpay for due to the fit being so perfect).

[ChettheJet]

If that pick is only protected 12 for one year I think the Bulls would go for this.

Remember this is the team that sold their second round pick because they didn't like who was there so they aren't likely to be buying out either player they get, and they got a protected pick from SAC for Deng that amounted to NOTHING so they're going to want to be assured of getting a 1st.