Tag / New Orleans Pelicans

by Christopher Powell

Cousins, Hield Highlight All-Star Night Trade ! 

Last week Coach Calipari said a team filled with former University of Kentucky Wildcats  players would beat the Golden State Warriors or Cleveland Cavaliers to win a an NBA championship . After pondering that I thought , damn he’s right( projected lineup: John Wall, Devin Booker, Anthony Davis, Karl-Anthony Towns & Demarcus Cousins). The first thought was how could you stop the Demarcus “Boogie” Cousins and Anthony Davis front court? Well New Orleans GM Dell Demps was probably thinking the same thing as he pulled off the following trade:


Pelicans Recieve:  Demarcus Cousins,  Omri Casspi

Kings Recieve: Buddy Hield, Tyreke Evans, Langston Galloway, 2017 1st round pick (Top 3 protected) , 2017 2nd round pick

USA Today


This trade has a slice of irony  with a hint of interesting to say the least.

Boogie Cousins was on pace this summer to be the highest player in NBA History (under the Designated Player Extension aka DPE) as he was expected to sign a 5 year $209 Million dollar contract extension. The DPE clause was actually put in place to keep Cousins in Sacramento, in this case the Kings could offer him more money than any other team if he was to test the free agent market. The Pelicans can only offer Cousins a 5 year $180 million dollar deal.

The Kings once again are in rebuilding mode. For the life of me I totally don’t see a plan. The only piece that can make a immediate impact is Buddy Hield , who is averaging over 8 PPG. The draft picks in this strong draft class could help but its actually possible they may lose a pick. Their original pick is a top 10 protected pick ( which its possible that they will probably land a top 10 pick and keep their pick). Now the Pelicans pick ( the one the Kings aqurried in the trade) looks like a possible 17-22 overall pick. The building piece will probably be a pick in the 2017 draft.

by Christopher Powell

NBA Draft 2016: Winners & Losers

2016-NBA-mock-Draft

 

This years NBA Draft was the type of draft that we always envision (multiple trading of picks, surprise picks & college coaches calling GMs begging for them to pick their former players) .There were definitely winners and losers in this years draft so I will give you top 3 winners and top 3 losers…

 

Winners: 

Orlando Magic: The Magic pulled off the biggest trade of the draft in their favor. Losing Victor Oladipo is major but the Magic need a all-star caliber guy whp can take them to the next level. Acquiring Serge Ibaka will give the Magic a legitimate defensive presence that will bode well with Aaron Gordon, Evan Fournier & company. I expect Serge to become a all-star and taking the Magic to another level.

Phoenix Suns: The Suns biggest need was to solidify their front court. Drafting Croatian sensation Dragan Bender and trading up to draft Marquese Chriss will address the Suns needs immediately. The Suns are now Kentucky U of guards once again by drafting Tyler Ulis ( 5’9 who has a Celtics Isaiah Thomas type of abilities) teaming up w/ Eric Bledsoe, Devin Booker, & Archie Goodwin.

Atlanta Hawks : The Hawks prior to the draft may have struck gold by trading Jeff Teauge. I’m  only saying that its gold because of the fact that Teauge was on the trading block for the majority of the 15-16 season and to come away w/ a lottery pick is a heck of a deal. Drafting Taurean Prince and DeAndre Bembry will provide the Hawks two excellent wing defenders and  guys with eons of college experience.

 

 

LOSERS

Boston Celtics: You had one Job and one Job only….Trade your picks for a viable starter who can make an immediate impact…HELL you had 8 PICKS…this is what they did with the picks  (Disclaimer : you may only know 3 of them tops!!)..(Source ESPN)

1 (3): Jaylen Brown, SF, California

1 (16): Guerschon Yabusele, PF, France

1 (23): Ante Zizic, C, Croatia

2 (45): Demetrius Jackson, PG, Notre Dame

2 (51): Ben Bentil, PF, Providence

2 (58): Abdel Nader, PF, Iowa State

Traded away: Nos. 31 and 35 to the Grizzlies

Traded for: 2019 Grizzlies first-round pick

The Celtics are on the verge of becoming a 50 plus wining team and it was contingent on a strong draft. Hopefully a Tier 1 or Tier 2 Free-agent will land in their lap.

Milwaukee Bucks: THON MAKER…Need i say more…I understand Jalen Rose stating that we are in the age of position-less basketball, but getting a guy who is similar to your  best player ( German Freak) at #10 is the biggest stretch since The Cavs drafting Anthony Bennett #1 in 2013. Maker is a raw prospect who at this point is the biggest mystery going forward

Sacremento Kings: Are you surprised that the Kings are on this list? They have been on this list damn near every year specially this decade. They are the Clippers of the 80’s 90’s and the early 2000s when it comes to NBA Draft …just cant get it right to save their lives. First you trade down to get Georgious Papaginaonis , a German big-man then you draft Skal Labissiere ( a stretch power forward at best). I give the kings a crumb of kudos by drafting Malachi Richardson who is a excellent scorer who has great length..

 

 

 

 

 

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