S&T With New Orleans: The Devonte Graham Thread

[LofJ]

The Grizzlies and Spurs took a step back; and the Blazers and Kings didn't get any better. Zion Williamson is also the best player after Dame on all of those teams. I think they're going to sneak in as the 8th seed this season.

Warriors will be much better unless they have injuries again

I think the Suns, Jazz, Nuggets, Lakers, Mavericks, Clippers, Warriors, and Pelicans will be the West playoff teams. The Blazers and Grizzlies are getting bumped.

[yosemiteben]

Except he didn't want to be here because he wanted to start or they sign him to an offer sheet that we just wouldn't match.

We could've matched the deal he got? I don't get your point.

That we had no intention of matching, so we got something for him - a possible 1st or 2 x 2nds - which is wayyyyyy better than nothing.

I don't understand some of the Graham takes on this board at times.

One second he's crap and should be cut from the roster, the next he's valuable and we should have kept him or at least got more than a future 1st (possibly conveying into 2 x 2nds) for him.

Us not having the intention to match is the thing I said I have issue with.

On your random takes observation, maybe it's because you're assigning takes to me that I didn't make? I never said he was crap. I said I wouldn't pay him $20M.

[Rays Pompadour]

Graham landed about where I thought the market would bear - $12M-$15M, which is first man off the bench money. The $20M figure was just too much for that level of player. He'll do well in New Orleans, continue to improve his game and may be a key part of their playoff run.

I also like the deal for Charlotte, except the rapid decline in shooting. Unless another deal is made, the Hornets will be sorely lacking in shooting if someone like Rozier or Hayward gets hurt. Oubre is an athlete, not a shooter. It's going to be a problem. I wanted Markkanen as a possible solution. Seems that ship has sailed, for good or ill. Another move will be needed. I could be convinced to bring in JJ Reddick.

[BlackOutBuzz]

Well that makes this a lot less exciting.

ETA: So we essentially just did them a favor?

Read on Twitter

That's some crazy rose-coloring from Bobby.

They combined the Memphis and Charlotte deals so it comes to them trading Adams, Bledsoe, Iwundu, Two future firsts + moving down 7 spots this year in the first for Graham and Valanciunas... not even factoring losing Lonzo into it.

But hey, maybe they'll throw more picks into the fire to use that TPE.

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[JDR720]

The play-in tournament is back for next year, right?

Does making the tournament count as making the playoffs?

[amcoolio]

The play-in tournament is back for next year, right?

Does making the tournament count as making the playoffs?

No. They have the be 8th seed.

[HornetJail]

I'm pretty annoyed that we're likely to just get 2 2nds for Devonte'. Not getting a guaranteed 1st in some form is just bad. I don't have the Pelicans as a playoff team in the stacked West and Graham's contract is team-friendly.. It would've been different if he was making like $18M but he's getting under $12M.

[SWedd523]

$50mil for a backup pg is irresponsible.

They could've

A. Matched their offer and been saddled with an overpriced backup for the production return

B. Let him go for nothing

C. Get literally anything in return

I think they made out fine, all things considered

[Liver_Pooty]

He'll probably start this year then backup Lewis for the foreseeable future.

[Rich4114]

Devonte is an interesting player. On one hand, he is a great three point shooter, can create his own space out there and is a very good ball handler. On the other hand, he’s one dimensional as he offers nothing defensively and can’t do damage in the paint. Once he gets in the paint, it’s a low % shot or a turnover quite often. He’s really the perfect backup PG. So what is a really good backup PG worth for a team that is still lacking in experienced talent required to compete? I don’t think it’s $12m per year and it’s evident Mitch agrees

And yet he’s still worth x3 times more than Monk.

And it’s evident the entire NBA agrees.

Now Slam, this thread is about Devonte so let’s keep it about Devonte

[JDR720]

We're more or less either getting a pick in the 15-18 range or 2 in the 35-45 range.

I don't see the Pelicans making the playoffs. I also don't see Zion sticking around if they don't make progress. So the latter of those 2nd round picks may have some solid value.

I may even prefer the 2nd round picks if they're both in the mid/low 30's. Mitch, at least so far, has shown to be pretty savvy at drafting.

[vtime]

Zion can’t leave. No player has ever turned down the rookie max post 2016.

[JMAC3]

So since we are all Pelicans fans for next season, this is what our second depth chart is looking like.

PG- Devonte Graham- Kira Lewis
SG- Nickeil Alexander Walker- Tomas Satoransky- Garrett Temple
SF- Brandon Ingram- Trey Murphy- Didi Louzada- Naji Marshall
PF- Zion Williamson- Herb Jones- Wenyen Gabriel
C- Jonas Valanciunas- Jaxson Hayes- Willy Hernangomez

Still have restricted rights to Josh Hart*

[Liver_Pooty]

So since we are all Pelicans fans for next season, this is what our second depth chart is looking like.

PG- Devonte Graham- Kira Lewis
SG- Nickeil Alexander Walker- Tomas Satoransky- Garrett Temple
SF- Brandon Ingram- Trey Murphy- Didi Louzada- Naji Marshall
PF- Zion Williamson- Herb Jones- Wenyen Gabriel
C- Jonas Valanciunas- Jaxson Hayes- Willy Hernangomez

Still have restricted rights to Josh Hart*

If NAW develops that's a really good team. Lewis will start over Graham by the all star break

[CuseMayne]

That's....still not a very impressive roster IMO.

[Diop]

I can see how the steady hand and outside shooting of Devonte could help that team

[Hornet Mania]

I'm fairly optimistic we can get that 1st rounder, especially if Zion can play the majority of games.

West teams who are definitely in the playoffs (barring major injuries)
-Lakers
-Suns
-Jazz
-Nuggets
-Mavs

West teams who could go either way/likely play-in teams
-Clippers
-Warriors
-Blazers
-Grizzlies
-Pelicans

West teams with little to no chance of playoffs
-Kings
-Spurs
-Rockets
-Thunder
-Wolves

So imo we have five teams fighting for three spots. Better than 50/50 shot we get the pick. I think the West has weakened in the middle, I can easily imagine Portland blowing it up midseason or the Warriors underwhelming again despite Super Saiyan Steph. In either of those cases the Wolves probably enter the play-in picture.

[Benjamin Linus]

Not feelin the depth on that team. Outside of their top three guys, that roster is kinda weak. Especially if Hayes is gonna miss some time. NAW, Kira, and Murphy are gonna have to step up and they need to bring Josh Hart back

Last season they had the eighth worst defense, so going from Lonzo to Graham probably doesn't help and not sure how much better Valanciunas is over Adams on the defensive end. Zion staying on the court is probably the biggest factor. They went 29-32 (.475) when Zion played and 2-9 (.181) when he was out

[Chapelchilla]

I'm fairly optimistic we can get that 1st rounder, especially if Zion can play the majority of games.

West teams who are definitely in the playoffs (barring major injuries)
-Lakers
-Suns
-Jazz
-Nuggets
-Mavs

West teams who could go either way/likely play-in teams
-Clippers
-Warriors
-Blazers
-Grizzlies
-Pelicans

West teams with little to no chance of playoffs
-Kings
-Spurs
-Rockets
-Thunder
-Wolves

So imo we have five teams fighting for three spots. Better than 50/50 shot we get the pick. I think the West has weakened in the middle, I can easily imagine Portland blowing it up midseason or the Warriors underwhelming again despite Super Saiyan Steph. In either of those cases the Wolves probably enter the play-in picture.

I think Portland is trending down and if Kawhi does not play (likely?) the Clippers are too. It should be interesting out West.

[luciano-davidwesley]

A very Devontesque 2/14 14.3% shooting performance vs Minny. Glad we didn't pay him.