NOLA/ORL

[Skybox]

NOLA sends: CJ McCollum ($33.3m)
ORL sends: Wendell Carter ($13m), Cole Anthony ($13m)

NOLA gets the versatile floor-spreading Center Zion needs, on a team-friendly deal, with sufficient heady play on both ends. Leave the "meet me at the rim" highlights to Zion, but WCJ is very capable of averaging double doubles in the right system/roster. Cole is not on NOLA's wish-list, but for this to make sense for ORL, they want to move Cole's salary along. His extension hits at $13m per, which is not out of line for what Cole can do, given the opportunity. ORL's (expected) summer moves, along with the (expected/hopeful) emergence of Anthony Black & Jett Howard, seem to render Cole between a rock and a hard place. Looking at NOLA's roster, Cole could easily drop in as an energy sixth-man, or even starter -if "Point Zion" is the plan. Hawkins or Daniels would both make nice complementary guards next to Cole. NOLA also clears an additional $7m. This solves a big problem for NOLA, but also leaves the PG position in question - is Daniels or Anthony able to pick up more, in their unorthodox lineup. Also, Ingram seems likely to be moved...certainly he could bring back a high-level PG like Dejounte or Garland, both of which would certainly be upgrades.

ORL bets on 2 years of healthy vet leadership, offensive creation, and elite shooting. Anthony Black is expected to start picking up PG minutes with Fultz and Cole out of his lane. Last year, Black wasn't ready and ORL, essentially, played without ANY PG, and instead relied on Paolo & Franz, two 6'10 forwards for nearly all of their offensive creation. That's unsustainable, no matter how good your defense is. Point being, if Black is ready, he can keep CJ's minutes down a bit and give ORL different looks.

Does ORL need to add a couple srps or, maybe, DEN 25 frp? I'm thinking no - due to the fit and the financials, but lmk

[jbk1234]

If I'm the Pelicans, I want Anthony going to a third team. I also want an Ingram-for-a lead-guard trade lined up before I pull the trigger. I don't want to start the season with CJ as lead guard, but that option is miles better than Cole Anthony as lead guard.

[Skybox]

If I'm the Pelicans, I want Anthony going to a third team. I also want an Ingram-for-a lead-guard trade lined up before I pull the trigger. I don't want to start the season with CJ as lead guard, but that option is miles better than Cole Anthony as lead guard.

Ideally, yes...but who's your Center is another consideration. Not going to find a more complementary player to Zion at $13m per. Maybe NOLA locks down one opportunity and then focuses on the next...IF they can't do it all overnight.

I really want Murray to ORL, but Ingram certainly seems like more of a possibility to win-now ATL. NOLA could maybe even get more back, in terms of picks, maybe a young guy like AJ Griffin, or at least another $11m in cap relief and never having to hear Ingram talk about a max extension again (priceless).

I don't think Garland would be out of the question either - assuming Mitchell re-ups. That's a straight salary match that CLE might go for.

[Colbinii]

If I'm the Pelicans, I want Anthony going to a third team. I also want an Ingram-for-a lead-guard trade lined up before I pull the trigger. I don't want to start the season with CJ as lead guard, but that option is miles better than Cole Anthony as lead guard.

Yup, teams can want want want, but seldom do teams get the perfect player or situation.

[jbk1234]

If I'm the Pelicans, I want Anthony going to a third team. I also want an Ingram-for-a lead-guard trade lined up before I pull the trigger. I don't want to start the season with CJ as lead guard, but that option is miles better than Cole Anthony as lead guard.

Ideally, yes...but who's your Center is another consideration. Not going to find a more complementary player to Zion at $13m per. Maybe NOLA locks down one opportunity and then focuses on the next...IF they can't do it all overnight.

I really want Murray to ORL, but Ingram certainly seems like more of a possibility to win-now ATL. NOLA could maybe even get more back, in terms of picks, maybe a young guy like AJ Griffin, or at least another $11m in cap relief and never having to hear Ingram talk about a max extension again (priceless).

I don't think Garland would be out of the question either - assuming Mitchell re-ups. That's a straight salary match that CLE might go for.

It's a straight salary match for this season, and if Ingram will sign an extension at 25% of the cap going forward, it will be a straight salary match going forward. If he wants a vet max, I'm less certain it's doable.

[jbk1234]

If I'm the Pelicans, I want Anthony going to a third team. I also want an Ingram-for-a lead-guard trade lined up before I pull the trigger. I don't want to start the season with CJ as lead guard, but that option is miles better than Cole Anthony as lead guard.

Yup, teams can want want want, but seldom do teams get the perfect player or situation.

Let me put it this way, I'd forego the opportunity to add WCJ if the end result was downgrading from CJ to Anthony and it wouldn't be a particularly close call. The Pelicans aren't looking to get worse on the court and that's the end result of this trade.

[jayjaysee]

I think NOP only does this if they have the DJM or Mitchell or Garland trade done. Without that, this just makes them a lot worse and I don’t think they risk having to start an MLE point guard. Or picking between Cole or Daniels..

I think it’s a smart trade for Orlando and they can put all their efforts into overpaying Claxton or Hartenstein.

[Skybox]

If I'm the Pelicans, I want Anthony going to a third team. I also want an Ingram-for-a lead-guard trade lined up before I pull the trigger. I don't want to start the season with CJ as lead guard, but that option is miles better than Cole Anthony as lead guard.

Yup, teams can want want want, but seldom do teams get the perfect player or situation.

Let me put it this way, I'd forego the opportunity to add WCJ if the end result was downgrading from CJ to Anthony and it wouldn't be a particularly close call. The Pelicans aren't looking to get worse on the court and that's the end result of this trade.

I get it. That's what I said from the beginning...ORL not looking to downgrade from WCJ to Mo Wagner either...it's a step, in both cases.

[Texas Chuck]

https://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2384584

Spectacular for Pels…ORL says no. Cole & DEN 25 frp or a couple srps for CJ and his salary is closer.

I’d much rather see ORL pony up for Murray, but ATL is probably looking for win-now vets. Ingram looks good for Murray or Garland, imo. WCJ not being thrown in by ORL to help NOLA’s ideal summer plan and salary cap.

OP changed his mind quite a bit on this one. I gave the Magic more value and it was spectacular for the other team and just not something Orlando could consider.

[Whole Truth]

If I'm the Pelicans, I want Anthony going to a third team. I also want an Ingram-for-a lead-guard trade lined up before I pull the trigger. I don't want to start the season with CJ as lead guard, but that option is miles better than Cole Anthony as lead guard.

Yup, teams can want want want, but seldom do teams get the perfect player or situation.

Let me put it this way, I'd forego the opportunity to add WCJ if the end result was downgrading from CJ to Anthony and it wouldn't be a particularly close call. The Pelicans aren't looking to get worse on the court and that's the end result of this trade.

I'd do this trade if it creates the right amount of cap space. I'd have to look at NO's cap situation to see if 12m is a viable amount to allow NO's to target a free agent C. (15-20m cap space).

If NO's were to trade BI for a guard, CJ's 30m would either have to go to the bench or get traded. So for me Carter & Cole are passable targets for CJ though I agree it's a down grade to his elite spacing & creation ability. The difference for me would be the money saved allowing NO's a free agency avenue to a specific C to compliment Carter who has bad defensive metrics on a good defensive team. I see him more as a quality backup or I would flip him in trade. I think Atlanta have some interest in a spacing C too.

IMO stats suggest Zion needs defensive compensation more so than spacing. reason CJ's elite spacing is being traded. WCJ doesn't address that.

2 depth pieces & enough money to sign a free agent C works conceptually for me. I'd add pick value to make it Isaac instead of Carter.

[Whole Truth]

(15-20m Free agent) - WCJ
Zion - Nance
Murphy - Daniels
Herb - Hawkins/Daniels
BI traded for guard - Cole/Daniels

If trading BI for a guard sends CJ's 30m to the bench, the above is a better balanced bench. Jose is great but his lack of size is exposed in the PO's & Carter would be a quality depth option. The real benefit in trade, is NO's generating enough cap space to sign a free agent C. Claxton has similar defensive metrics to Allen as a rim runner. Safer route IMO.

[Skybox]

https://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2384584

Spectacular for Pels…ORL says no. Cole & DEN 25 frp or a couple srps for CJ and his salary is closer.

I’d much rather see ORL pony up for Murray, but ATL is probably looking for win-now vets. Ingram looks good for Murray or Garland, imo. WCJ not being thrown in by ORL to help NOLA’s ideal summer plan and salary cap.

OP changed his mind quite a bit on this one. I gave the Magic more value and it was spectacular for the other team and just not something Orlando could consider.

Kind of got me there...maybe because it was YOUR idea

I'm missing #21 in my OP, but I sure would like it...now that ORL is not fighting off the bottom, I really like some of the draft class towards the back part of the first...I think as time and online bickering goes on, I lower my standards for what I expect ORL to do this summer. They've been excruciatingly patient...I hope they can pull off a Murray deal, but I'm not holding my breath...I've always been a fan of CJ's, but he's getting up there.

[Texas Chuck]

Kind of got me there...maybe because it was YOUR idea

Oh I know that's the reason. Y