As much as we loved Greivis Vasquez giving his all for the New Orleans Pelicans last year, the writing appears to be on the wall for the league’s Most Improved Player runner-up. Greivis Vasquez will be moved at some point this summer. With the trade for Jrue Holiday and the selection of Pierre Jackson, combined with the need to get Austin Rivers minutes in order to continue his development, it looks like Vasquez is the odd man out. The good news is that Vasquez’s trade value is at its absolute peak after a fantastic season statistically. Combine that with the fact that he is set to make just a hair over two million dollars next season, and you can imagine that several suitors should be lined up to secure his services.

In this piece, we will take a look at what the Pelicans might want in return, and which interested teams can put together a trade that might be appealing to Dell Demps.

What Does Dell Want in Return?

1. A Future First Round Pick

Trading Vasquez for a future pick helps open up some additional cap space for a free agent or trade while also giving Dell an asset to use down the line. Though a future first round pick won’t help the Pelicans win any games this year, it might be the ideal item to get back in return because it won’t count against the cap this season.

2. A Euro Stash

In addition to several guys taken in Thursday draft, there are numerous players whose rights are owned by NBA teams that are playing overseas right now. Again, it is a future commodity that will not count against the cap this year.

3. A Small Forward

Obviously there are several on the free agent market, but Dell might prefer a player locked into a contract currently on another team. Since the Pelicans have cap room, they can make an “uneven trade”, with them getting back far more salary then they give up by sending Vasquez to that team.

4. An Upgrade at Center

Robin Lopez is nice, but it is not unreasonable to question whether he can be a starter on a true contender. Perhaps a combination of Vasquez and Lopez can provide them with an upgrade.

Possible Trade Partners

Denver Nuggets

Former Pelicans executive Tim Connelly is calling the shots now in Denver and you could see a scenario where Dell and his former right hand man do a trade that works out for both teams. In fact, I see three that work.

Greivis Vasquez for Wilson Chandler

George Karl loved Andre Miller, but Karl isn’t in Denver anymore, so perhaps Connelly jettisons Miller in another deal and brings in Vasquez to backup Ty Lawson. With Connelly saying that signing Iguodala is a major priority this offseason, shedding Chandler from the books could be a wise move. The Nuggets save nearly five million dollars, trading one reserve for another. The Pelicans, meanwhile, get a guy capable of coming in and starting at small forward immediately.

Greivis Vasquez and Jason Smith for Danilo Gallinari

It seems crazy to think that Denver will move Gallinari, but again, Connelly did not give Danilo that contract extension. Maybe he prefers Chandler to Danilo, and maybe new coach Brian Shaw will as well, since he clearly values defense. While losing Smith will be tough, Danilo Gallinari could give the Pelicans a great perimeter threat to help spread the court.

Greivis Vasquez and Robin Lopez for Javale McGee

Again, Connelly did not give McGee that contract. It is possible that he would prefer two assets to one at 70% the cost. The Pelicans, meanwhile, could have even more length down low than they would have had if they kept 6th pick Nerlens Noel. A defensive core of Holiday and Gordon on the perimeter with Davis and McGee down low could be downright scary.

Atlanta Hawks

If somebody throws a huge offer at restricted free agent Jeff Teague, the Hawks might just let him walk. If that happens, Atlanta could be in the market for a starting point guard on a great contract.

Brooklyn’s 2014 1st round pick and Atlanta’s 2014 2nd round pick for Vasquez

With Brooklyn likely to be a top-4 seed in the East after a mega trade landed them KG and Paul Pierce, it is likely that these two picks will land somewhere between 24 and 40, but if Dell is following the Spurs model, he believes that he can get quality role players picking late in the draft. And again, this opens up cap space, which opens up flexibility for Dealer Dell to work his magic elsewhere. It also opens up a trade exception that Dell can use anytime in the next year.

Chicago Bulls

Vasquez for the rights to Nikola Mirotic

Honestly, this one is the dream scenario because Mirotic could be a stud when he finally comes over to the States. His buyout situation is tricky, so he likely won’t come over until 2015 or 2016, but he has quasi All-Star potential. Maybe the Bulls don’t want to wait that long or risk him staying over permanently like Fran Vasquez, so they trade him now for a player that can help them win this year. If so, Dell would jump all over that.

Utah Jazz

Vasquez for the rights to Ante Tomic

Word in Utah is that the Jazz don’t want to rush the development of Trey Burke. They took it slow with Stockton, and even Deron Williams somewhat his first year, and would like to do the same with Burke. Having a guy like Vasquez start for a year, then transition to the bench would be perfect for Utah. Meanwhile, the Pelicans get a very good big man prospect in Ante Tomic. Tomic just turned 26 and has tons of professional experience, meaning that if you bring him over in a year or two, he can play instantly, much in the same way that Gustavo Ayon did two seasons ago.

Vasquez and Lopez for Al Jefferson (sign and trade)

The Pelicans add a low post presence to the roster, while the Jazz add a mentor to Burke and a center to share time with Enes Kanter at less than half the cost. The Pelicans can put a 3 or 4 year deal on the table for Jefferson with an average starting salary around 10-12 million and still have the ability to get a decent free agent with the ‘room exception.’

Milwaukee Bucks

Vasquez for Luc Mbah a Moute, Milwaukee’s 2014 2nd round pick, and Houston’s 2014 2nd round pick

I got some pretty good intel that the Bucks are looking at Vasquez. With their very fluid current situation, it is hard to see what they can offer, but a deal centered around a defensive specialist in Mbah a Moute wouldn’t be horrible. Perhaps the Pelicans get a more offensive minded small forward in free agency, then swing a deal for Mbah a Moute to bring him off the bench.

Detroit Pistons

Grevis Vasquez for Kyle Singler

You know how Chandler Parsons contract looks ridiculous right now, and because of that, he is one of the most valuable commodities in the NBA? That could be Singler in a year or two. He is owed just 3.5 million dollars TOTAL over the next three years. His first year in Detroit wasn’t anything earth shattering, but he showed he can play, starting 74 games for the Pistons in his rookie deal, scoring 11.3 points while grabbing 5.2 rebounds. The Pistons drafted another perimeter guy in KCP, and word is that they want to shift Branden Knight to the two and they are willing to let Jose Calderon walk. Vasquez could be perfect here.

Got any additional scenarios that fit what Dell might be looking for? Post them below. Also, feel free to comment on the ones you see here.