Rumors and speculation fly fast and furious this time of year, and today is centered mostly on point guards. Let’s take a look at some stories flying around the interweb:
– Bradford Doolittle proposes a Rajon Rondo for Greivis Vasquez and the sixth pick swap in his latest piece. I have proposed something similar recently, but strongly felt that it would take more than that to land an All-NBA caliber player.
– Chad Ford said that the Magic would be willing to give up Aaron Afflalo and take back Caron Butler’s salary just to get Eric Bledsoe. In the past, I have looked into Bledsoe’s trade value, and even had a deal proposed that sent Afflalo to the Clips.
– If Bledsoe goes to Orlando, the door would be left wide open for Trey Burke to become a Pelican. Looking at how the draft stands right now, it is hard to see anybody else in the top five taking him. According to nola.com, the Pelicans would be interested if he were there.
– John Reid proposes a move up to #3 to get Otto Porter. I would be on board with that, with one exception: That trade would be impossible. You can’t agree to a trade that is dependant on trading a guy not even on your roster. Other than that, I like the overall idea of moving up to secure a player that fills your greatest need.
So, a couple of interesting things to discuss. Thoughts?
80 responses to “New Orleans Pelicans Afternoon Bullets: Vasquez, Rondo, Bledsoe, Burke, and more”
The Doolitte piece was kind of a joke. I don’t see how it’s possible for the Pelicans to acquire Rondo for a backup PG and a 6th pick in a “weak” draft.
I think the Magic trade makes a lot of sense for both parties. Afflalo gives defense and three point shooting and fits nicely with Paul. The Magic getting Eric Bledsoe would enable them to pick McLemore with the second pick.
If Trey Burke becomes a Pelican I will not be happy. I’d much rather take McCollum.
I would be all for trading up to get Porter, but the question is what do the Wizards (or even Cavs) want for the pick. I would give up Lopez and 6th to move to 3 in a second.
I can’t see either team doing the Rondo trade. We wouldn’t because we’d have Rondo’s ACL injury and whatever injury Gordon has at the time to deal with. The Celtics wouldn’t because Vasquez would just be a role player in their future, and the 6th pick doesn’t have enough value.
I think the Afflalo trade would be good for both sides. Clippers: Paul-Afflalo-Barnes(possibly)-Griffin-Jordan is better than last year’s team. Magic: Bledsoe-McLemore-Harris-Nicholson-Vucevic with Harkless of the bench is a scary core that can use some of the pieces to get a superstar. The way if affects us is that we’d practically need to draft a point guard because Jennings will cost too much, and no one else is really out there.
I’d move up, but I’d rather keep the assets to make some other trades down the line because I’m fairly certain that we can get a quality point guard of our choice at 6.
No desire for Rondo. The guy can’t even make a free throw if his life depended on it. Greivis’ defense is putrid, but at least he can play multiple positions, can shoot the ball fairly effectively, and passes well.
nola70118 Rondo is >>>>>>>>>>> Vasquez. To say you wouldn’t do this trade is wild. There’s no way Boston would do this trade – their fanbase would revolt.
Roger.That. nola70118 I stand strong sir and want nothing to do with Rondo. That said, I’d do it for Bradley and Pierce in a heartbeat.
nola70118
Roger.That. don’t think you’re thinking like a GM. Rondo is a 50 cent piece. #6 pick and Vazquez are two quarters. You always take the bigger coin in the NBA. Even if Rondo doesn’t work out he’d be a huge asset to move when the time is right. That being said, it’s never going to happen.
If Rondo is 50 cent, how many guys are a dollar? If you are strictly talking about on the court performance, Rondo is a top 12-15 player IMO. Vasquez is maybe top 100. More like 120ish and the rookie would be having a good year if he is league average (around 200 or so)
Why in the world would a GM trade a top 15 guy for the 120th and 200th best players? Even more insane, why would the other team say no if it were offered?
Michael McNamara I agree he’s more like 75 cents but for simplicity of the argument I used 50 cents since theres no such thing as a “75 cent piece”
Roger.That. Michael McNamara well, more like an Australian nickel.
JabberWalker Roger.That. Michael McNamara
What’s an Australian nickel?
But agreed, if you can get Rondo, everyone only Davis and Anderson should be untouchable. Rondo’s proven he can be the best guy on the court in any playoff series, and you’ll need that to beat OKC and Miami
Roger.That. nola70118 You’re right that he’d be a great trade chip, but I guess I don’t have a good feeling about Rondo. It says a lot to me that the Celtics are willing to trade him, and I also hate that he can’t make free throws. But maybe his defense would be so good for the team that I’d let it slide. Who knows.
Either way, I’m glad we’re going to be active this offseason. History has shown that Demps doesn’t make many bad moves.
Rondo is one of the best p.Ayers in the league. But he has to play with shooters to be effective.
Ryan Anderson would enjoy becoming an All-Star, though. Anthony Davis as well.
nola70118 The Celtics are only trading him if they get an all-star or all star caliber player in return or a return like Denver got for Melo, (and they want to tank next year for 2014 draft) they aren’t willing to trade him for a package like this. This is the writer’s scenario, not an actual rumor. I think the ESPN writer is cuckoo if he thinks that the C’s would take a back up player and a #6 pick in a weak draft as good value for Rondo (injury or not, he is still a star player, all star too). They could definitely do better.
Roger.That. Michael McNamara There is if you’re Darrell from Storage Wars.
Rajon Rondo is a great player but I would much rather have Avery Bradley. I would do the 6th pick and Gordon for Bradley and Pierce any day of the week and twice on Sundays.
Here’s my strategy:
Trade with Wizards nets us Porter, they get Bennett, Lopez or Smiht (their choice) plus a future 2nd rounder.
Trade future unprotected first rounder for rights to Cody Zeller at the 9th, 10th or 11th spot (wherever you can snag him).
Sign free agent point guard (Jack, Jennings) to a $11MM per year type of deal.You’re
rolling out a young and interesting/competitive lineup of
Jennings/Gordon/AFA/Davis/Lopez with reserves
Andersen/Vasquez/Porter/Zeller/Rivers
I’d also love to go after Chris Andersen – he’s the type of veteran leader and hustle we need, plus he’d get our paltry crowd excited.
Roger.That. I had been wondering the ENTIRE YEAR why no one had signed Birdman. Then Miami swoops in and picks him up. Would be interesting to have him @ the 5 alongside Brow.
Roger.That. I’d rather take my chances on Bennett than trade all of those assets for Porter. Also, $11 million for Jack/Jennings??? I’ll have what he’s having. ^ 🙂
I feel that if the offer we have to beat for Bledsoe is a solid player in Afflalo and the willingness to take on a bad contract, we would be better suited looking for PG help elsewhere.
I like Rondo but his ACL injury combined with his turnover trouble make me a little nervous about making a big move for him. His turnovers per game have increased every year to 3.9 a game last year. Also, his turnover percentage last year was about 22% while Vasquez’s was around 18%. Not that I think that Vasquez is the future, but giving up a possible solid player at the sixth pick along with another in Greivis for Rondo would worry me. If the front office is confident that he can recover completely though, his contract is fair and he would make the Pelicans a fierce defensive team, inside and out.
Ddiamondd
I agree with this part of what you said, especially the part I underlined: “I feel that if the offer we have to beat for Bledsoe is a solid
player in Afflalo and the willingness to take on a bad contract, we
would be better suited looking for PG help elsewhere.
I like Rondo but his ACL injury combined with his turnover trouble make me a little nervous about making a big move for him.”
I also question the Celtics doing the Rondo trade as written, and there is no way want Jennings.
We should have a trade down deal, preferably two for one, in our back pocket that gets exercised if Burke is gone at six (as are Oladipo, McLemore and Porter).
I’m still for us taking on Perkins and getting Thabo for Lopez.
I’d do the Rondo trade in a second. The guys an incredible player. Makes everyone around him better. Only Paul, Parker and DWill in that league Like MM, I think Boston is going to want more.
I love this article about the Kawhi Leonard for George Hill trade:
http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/9316310/analyzing-kawhi-leonard-george-hill-trade-2013-conference-finals.
I just hope our organization gets near to the Spurs level of creativity and player development.
Wow, that’s a curveball but that’s a genius move by the Magic if they do it. This is a terrible turn of events for our Pels though. Not only would that take away Bledsoe but it would make either Trey Burke or Brandon Jennings the most likely options. I want nothing to do with Burke and after hearing the guy from Bucksketball’s thoughts on Jennings I’m definitely not excited about that. I’m just gonna hope that Orlando doesn’t go through with it
Not a huge fan of Rondo due to his intermitten effort..
But I wouldn’t even have to think about pulling the trigger on that trade. I don’t think there’s any way, as Mike Mac said, that we’d get Rondo for a backup PG and #6 in whats supposed to be a weak draft
Ignoring all the logistics, and reacting to these rumors from the perspective of pure basketball and artistic enjoyment , how could you not want Rondo and Davis on a team together. When in big game mode, Rondo is the most interesting player in basketball , even in frustrating mid season mode versus the Magic he’s still compelling ( good or bad ). Pair that with Davis’s already avant-garde basketball styling …. and you might as well start projecting Fellini films on the court . Verlaine and Rimbaud psshhh you mean Davis and Rondo . BALL IN.
It seems that most either love the potential Rondo deal or hate it. I’m somewhat lukewarm about it.
What worries me is the fact that he tore his ACL and that we’ll be paying him about $11 million and paying our other guard, who is very injury-prone, about $14 million. That’s too much money tied in there and could potentially be a horrid way to spend ~$25 million. I’d rather go with a guard in the draft (CJ, Burke, MCW, Schroeder).
People seem to want to rush the rebuild. We need to take it slow and build a team that will have “sustained success.” We don’t need to make the playoffs next season; it’s only year 2 of the rebuild (the lockout year doesn’t count). The key is spending wisely.
jsl05 Two things I disagree with.
1.) Gordon should have NOTHING to do with your decision making process. You don’t pass on a trade you would otherwise make because you made a mistake on Gordon. Now, you are compounding the Gordon mistake. That deal is done, it should have no effect on the next deal. I hear this all the time when people say “We can’t give Gordon away for scraps because he was the key part of the CP3 deal.” What does one have to do with the other?
2. “Rush the rebuild” does not apply to a 27 year old point guard in my opinion. Bringing in a guy like Iguodala, an older guy whose game is dependant on athleticism would be rushing the rebuild. Rondo does not qualify IMO. The way I see it, I am 99% positive that Rondo will be better than any of those rookie PG’s over the next 5 years. 70% sure he will be better than them in years 6-8. So, if we are talking about being better 9 years from now, then yes, IF those guys pan out, they might make us better at that point, but I wouldn’t even hesitate to acquire Rondo if there was even a chance and I highly doubt Dell would either.
My problems with Rondo:
1) He’s missing offseason workouts, training camp, and maybe part of the season. The chemistry will not develop.
2) He stops the flow of the offense; that is why the Celtics were better without him in the season.
3) He’s a guy that can’t be in at the end of the game with his FT shooting.
4) Not a big concern, but this is where the “rushing the rebuild” comes in: What happens to Rivers? Does he get adequate playing time? Does he get to prove himself?
My idea for a rebuild is to use all your draft picks to build a core. No big contracts. Then, go get the big fish to help this developing team reach the top.
The ideal situation would be to do the Gordon-Deng trade. Draft whomever. Let Deng leave next offseason. Get the big fish.
jsl05 Now, those are solid reasons. In order, 2 worries me the most, 4 a little bit, 3 and 1 not so much.
Michael McNamara jsl05 number 2) the Celtics were not really better without him in the season (went 13-16 to end the season after going 8-1 on a home-heavy schedule). Definitely not in the postseason. It was the offense (mid-range jumper heavy) that was ineffective. No other season was he detrimental to their offense; that team (last season Celtics) wasn’t very good period (probably because of new players and older players declining factoring in) can’t blame him solely.
jsl05 Look at the bright side – if they both go down to injury we’ll have a lottery pick in the best draft since 2007.
Roger.That. jsl05 Wiggins/Parker to pair with Rondo/Anderson/AD/Gordon(healthy)?
HO-LEE-CRAP!
As a huge Bledsoe fan, my heart just sunk when I read that rumor because, as other posters have pointed out, the trade makes so much sense for both sides. (My spirits were temporarily lifted when I laughed my a$$ off reading the Reid piece, though I didn’t understand why he didn’t also propose including x Henry, mopete and bonzi wells to sweeten the deal. Wtf times pic?!?,, you fired two thirds of your writers but moe and Larry keep jobs?! ( curly got promoted to play by play))
Our only hope on the magic front is to swap pieces with them. Gordon, Lopez and 6 for aflalo Harris and 2 and flip aflalo for Bledsoe? If they really like Burke and or Gordon they might
Lopez Vasquez and 6 for Harris and 2? Doesn’t get us Bledsoe but this still get Burke in this scenario and maybe pass on Bledsoe.
They do have duplication with Harris and harkless so possibly one of those young studs could be available for 3 hungry team
Houpgarou I saw/went to a lot of Magic games this year. They really like Harris and want him to play the 4. They also are really high on Harkless. I don’t see either of them being moved. They feel like they have a solid core of Vucevic, Harris, Harkless, and Nicholson.
Jared Ennis Houpgarou Those guys ceilings are C+/B- players in my opinion. Teams fall in love with their own guys and miss the window when they have the most trade value. Personally, I don’t think Tobias Harris’s value will ever be higher than it is right now. He put up fake numbers on a horrible team and is still on a good contract. I would move him ASAP if I was Orlando, but I know they won’t
Michael McNamara
I dunno if i’d say they were entirely fake numbers. He was putting up decent ones when he got a little burn for the Bucks at the end of the 11/12 season. Plus he was shooting decent %’s which is usually a reasonable sign that he’d be able to convert his performace to a slightly smaller role on a better team.
However, if we did trade for him I’d imagine you could reasonably expect something like 12/7 on 9 shots a game with similar defensive numbers to Aminu. He’d have to bump his 3 pt shooting up to about 35% for me to really want him starting at SF for the Pels though.
Agree on his value being at an all time high though. That being the case, I don’t see us being able to put together something (unless they’re interested in Gordon) that they would value high enough to send us Afflalo or Harris + their #2 pick..
I understand the big numbers on a bad team thing, but in this season wether we try and assess the capabilities of 19 and 20 yr olds, it’s hard not to raise an eyebrow at a 20 year old Harris who blocked 1.5 shots grabbed 8.5 bds and showed an offensive game which included an ability to get past people and create his own shots. His problem is that lik Bennett, he’s a classic tweeter who is too slow to guard at the 3 but is not big enough to bang.
Still I think at his age it’s unfair to pigeonhole him into a letter grade when he’s still developing and is in the infant stages of his nba career. We’d be ecstatic to see that potential in the 20 y olds on our roster.
He’s def a great asset for a gm to have in the war chest. Harkless is more of a classic 3 and Monty type player, but I think he’s probly untouchable
Houpgarou Why did Milwaukee trade him? For a rental of Reddick in a postseason that they had NO CHANCE.
Caffeinedisaster Houpgarou
Yeah, but that frees up Reddick now and he would be a nice piece for us (quality player and lock presence) if don’t add any other SGs.
Caffeine,
I don’t ever operate under an assumption that an NBA gm must always be correct. I cant tell you why mil brain trust gave up on him, but I can say that a player who shows he can block shots in the NBA, rebound, and create his own shot at 20 is someone not to be dismissed, regardless of bad team # inflation
Michael McNamara Jared Ennis Houpgarou
Michael I would like for you in detail to explain what you consider are fake stats?
daThRONe Michael McNamara Jared Ennis Houpgarou Fake stats don’t mean the guy is horrible, it just means his stats do not accurately depict how good he is. He is not an 18ppg player in this league if he is on a team that actually matters that opponents are actually scouting for.
When you get on the scouting report and other teams take you seriously, trying to shut you down, and you still put up numbers; then I think your numbers reflect who you are.
Darren Collison averaged 18 and 9 as a starter for us. Those were fake numbers. He is solid, but he aint 18 and 9. Dell sold him at his peak. I would do the same if I were the Magic.
Michael McNamara daThRONe Jared Ennis Houpgarou
Ok that’s exactly how I would define it. Just making sure I was following you correctly.
Unfortunately when I was dreaming about trades with magic, I hadn’t looked at their cap situation and hadn’t realized they were saddled with so many bad and or questionable contracts. Can’t see them taking on Gordon unless we take crap back, they might not be able to take on Lopez, though he or greivis might be right in the wheelhouse of what they can afford
Dream scenario wold be draft Trey Burke at 6, get a 6’6 3 and D shooting guard to start at the 2, trade EG plus our 2014 unprotected pick for Paul George, move Ryno to the starting power forward spot, and have Anthony Davis start at the 5. We keep Rivers to be a backup pg or trade chip, have GV be our 6th man/third guard and play a Manu Ginobli type role for us, keep Darius Miller as our backup 3 and continue to develop him, move J-Smitty back to his more natural position as a backup PF, and keep Lopez a our backup big bodied center to bang with the big boys. Keep Roberts, Mason, Thomas, and Amundson to round out our roster. This gives us a Playoff team immediately. While also being young enough to improve over the next 3 or 4 years for our championship RUNS. Also our core or Burke George Anderson and Davis would be signed up for the next 4-5 years
Rondo for the 6th i’ll take it he’s an all star and will be ready for opening day wheres the downside?
If the Pels don’t upgrade the pg with a veteran well Demps have to b e the dumbest gm in NBA.
So the Magic will trade Afflalo to acquire Bledsoe?
Then they’re DEFINITELY picking McLemore.
I know I’m gonna catch hell for this one….
RONDO > BLEDSOE
Caffeinedisaster
Why would you catch hell? I don’t know how anybody would say right now otherwise.
Now who’s better for this team moving forward is up for discussion IMO.
daThRONe Caffeinedisaster There are lots of Bledsoe fans out there, myself included. While he’s excellent at defense, he doesn’t measure up to the leadership of Rondo.
The ACL thing doesn’t worry me as Rondo’s game is not about athleticism, but craftiness.
If BLEDSOE had an ACL injury, stick a fork in him.
1. Don’t think Boston trades Rondo for so little assets. Not sure how Ainge view this draft, however when so many report come out about how so many execs view this draft I can’t think it’s too high.
2. That trade would be ideal for both parties. Magic can continue their rebuild and have good young players at every position that ideally mature all around the same time. The Clippers turn depth at CP3’s position into a player that should fit perfectly in the starting line up with him.
3. Great as I’ve said all along Trey Burke the best player in this draft.
4. Do not want Porter. His upside is far too low IMO. to take top 7 let alone to trade up to get. No thank you.
daThRONe http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rt-VBf-esdI
Trey’s not looking so bad.
BTW, I LOVE that the video preview comes up instead of a link. KUDOS to the guys in the site redesign!
Burke is worth the 6th pick
Caffeinedisaster daThRONe
His work ethic is insane, he’s coachable, he’s smart, he comes from a stable family, he’ll skilled beyond his years at his position, and most importantly he hates losing with a passion, but at the same time can still be a great teammate.
The kid work ethic is amazing.
daThRONe LOVE the footwork on the 2 basketball dribbling drill.
No ones talking about Jennings imo i think he needs to be in a serious coaching enviorment like the Pels. Monty Williams brings a strong christian approch to players would be great to get Cousins he’s a bigger center than Lopez and can score.This guy deserve to be in a mature enviorment just like Jennings.
Papa Pelican
I don’t want to pay big money to a guy who needs to rely on his environment to mature. I love guys like Burke, Oladipo, or MKG because they love getting better. You don’t have to force them into improving or buying into winning ways. Especially not guards. If this was a big with insane physical gift maybe, but the guy who has the ball in his hands no way.
I don’t think Jennings is a mx player but if he’s willing to take $8 million over $10 million i understand.Bledsoe i would like to see traded because he’s under contract and the Pels can extend his contract cheap.
Papa Pelican
Of course if you can get Jennings at a great value you’d be crazy to turn that down. However as much as dude has talked about playing in big markets I don’t see that happening.
At the same time i like that the Pels are so much like the Saints because they’ve high character guys and no one is egotistic.Jennings is a headcase but after everything you’ve said i perfer Burke in the draft of Bledsoe via trade.
What big market he talking about because he wont be with the Knicks unless the Bucks would be dumb enough to take Stodumire’s bad contrace in a sign in trade,the Lakers at this point is in rebuliding mode,the Clips thats CP3 team and Mavs is the last resort for Jennings.
Papa Pelican
With Kobe ,Nash, Gasol, and MWP the Lakers can’t even being the rebuilding process. They can only amnesty Kobe(not going to happen), Gasol or MWP.
Not sure what markets Jennings had in mind or which cities he view as large markets, however I think I can safely assume that that list doesn’t include NOLA.
daThRONe Papa Pelican A shoot-first PG can work, but only if done CONSISTENTLY. (see Curry/Westbrook)
Jennings doesn’t have that kind of consistency with his scoring.
Lakers will amnesty MWP, and most likely trade Pau.
Would shock the hell out of me if they actually amnestied/traded Kobe though. 🙂
The reason i say the Lakers could be rebuliding and try to trade Gasol at least because with Kobe wont be ready to play agin til january the earliest.After all D Howard could be somewhere else anyway.
If i can get Rondo then i would do it in a second even though i think it is wishful thinking …as for the magic deal i was happy when i heard the news i want them to take Bledose not a big fan of his i am content with taking Burke at 6 i think he can be an All Star with his work ethic and Monty as his coach to push him on the defense side of the ball and i know this is off topic but do you think about Tyreke Evans would be a good fit at the three he is long and athlete and won’t get max deal in my opinon
I wouldn’t take Rondo now! He will use next season to pull a Derrick Rose and recover, leaving the Pels with 1 season left on his contract. This draft scares the crap out of me but we hopefully won’t have a pick this high again for a very long time.
I like the thought of using Vasquez off the bench, take best player available this yr and trade next yrs pick while other teams think we’re still gonna stink. Be smart in free agency and continue to build around AD and Ryno!
Vasquez and and Pick 6 for Rondo is something I would likely pull the trigger. I really like Burke, but I think Rondo has the ability to do some special things and how can we assure Burke is there at six? If point guard were to be the option. I’m a little more hesitant though than I would be a handful of months ago. Rondo coming off the ACL is scary, and we saw what Rose did with his recovery.
That scares me. I don’t know if Rondo would do that or not, but I can’t help but think it. Rose is likely a Bull for his career. Would Rondo spend the rest of his career in New Orleans? I don’t know. That would be tough to lose a year. However, I would still make the trade. I’d just be a little nervous about Rondo’s recovery. But, I’d love to add him.
I’ve been a Hornets/Pelicans fan for the past 18 years. That being said, this team has made some of the dumbest personnel moves in the history of the NBA. How nice would it be to have Darren Collison running the point and have Marcus Thornton coming off the bench? The Pelicans could be right where the Pacers are right now.
Ummm, actually they wouldn’t. Pacers are where they at because they are long athletic and play fierce d.uch as I love em, those two didn’t do that. Indy jettisoned dc cuz he didn’t fit into their scheme
Houpgarou
I was referring more to the blueprint that Indiana laid. I was using those 2 players as examples of the bad trades that they made.
Actually, gm dell demps record with trades is pretty damn nice, though he did have to give up some assets to clear all the terrible contracts bower gave out. Noe the hornets salary sheet is a thing of beauty, all team options and value contracts
http://hoopshype.com/salaries/new_orleans.htm
Call me crazy…Iverson?
Pros: Got something to prove.
Cons: Well, you know…geez….he’s…well….
Like the Rondo value if his health is good.
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