Pelicans Already Obvious Flaws and Simple Solutions.

Pelicans Already Obvious Flaws and Simple Solutions.

New Orleans Has been off to a solid start this season, much better than last season. 3 of their 4 losses have been in overtime on the road by 3 or less points. The team is one of the top teams in Points Per Game and about average in Opponents Points Per Game. However, there are two obvious places the Pelicans could improve with very little effort and cost. Trade for a different Big who can protect the rim better than Jaxson Hayes and Billy Hernangomez. Trade Devonte Graham for a Guard who is a more consistent shooter and less of a defensive mis-match.

Jonas Valenciunus and Larry Nance Jr. have been a pretty good pairing at the center spot. However, Jaxson Hayes has not. The pelicans are bottom 8 in points in the paint at 52.4 points per game. It is currently too easy to score on the pelicans down low, especially in the clutch. Jaxson Hayes can’t solve this problem because he struggles guarding centers and can't shoot the ball well enough to play the 4. If Nance or JV ever get injured or foul out, the pelicans are in trouble. Even a Big who could play next to nance and help protect the rim and space the floor would help in certain lineups. New Orleans can fill this hole for just a second round pick or two.

Devonte Graham has had a better start to this season than he finished the last. However, whenever he is in, he’s playing next to CJ Mccollum or Jose Alverado as the 2 guard. He is a defensive liability there standing at 6 feet tall. The Pelicans are also in the bottom third in Free Throw percentage at 76.2%. The Pelicans can replace those minutes of a 2 guard for one who is a bigger and better defender that also shoots better from the line. Once again, the cost should only be a couple second round picks.

What big should the Pels get? Several teams have quality versatile bigs who aren’t essential to their teams future. The Pelicans are after a decently versatile big who can help protect the rim and hopefully space the floor. They should be able to play next to larry Nance or protect the paint without a center on the floor. So we need to find a team who values picks over their current players or who are having a disappointing start to the season who need to trade a big for more guard play.

The Magic, Pistons, Thunder, Jazz, and Hornets all are hungry for picks to strengthen the future of their teams. The Timberwolves and Kings haven’t had as good a start to the season as they would have liked and are playing their bench bigs less than normal. First, let’s look at players who can shoot and protect the basket: Mo Bamba, Naz Reid, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Mike Muscala, Kelly Olynyk, PJ Washington. These are all guys who can play next to Larry Nance and even Jonas Valenciunus if need be. Then we have some players who can’t shoot but do a good job protecting the rim and could serve as an off the bench center: Nerlans Noel, Richaun Holmes.

Now, let’s get into the data on The Bigs:

Mo Bamba- Shot 38% from 3 on 4 attempts per game last year. 7’l with a 7’10 wingspan. Block percent of 6%. Contests 40% of shots at the rim. Opponents shoot 6.2% below their average when Mo bamba contests a shot. Bamba is decently mobile and his incredible wingspan allows him to contest shots everyone else can’t.

-Bamba is averaging half as many minutes and is being replaced by Bol Bol and Paolo Banchero. He isn’t shooting great this year. Magic should be willing to part with him no problem for some draft capital. People gripe about his motor and his love for shooting 3’s but put him in the Pelicans culture of team play and hard work and he will thrive. He has crazy measurements and potentials and just needs a change of scenery. A center shooting 38% on 4 three pointers would be so valuable for the Pelicans.

(Will work once its December 15th)

Naz Reid- Shot 35% from 3 on 2.2 attempts per game last year. 6’9 with a 7’3 wingspan. Block percent of 5.6%. Contests 46% of shots at the rim. Opponents shoot 10.5% below their average when Naz Reid contests a shot. Those are CRAZY numbers. He also shot 42.2% from three in the playoffs last year. He has a decent handle and moves his feet super well. Can defend Pick n Roll very well and can decently guard other positions. Reid would play fantastic next to larry nance as well as by himself. He plays hard, went undrafted, and played college at LSU. He is a perfect match.

-Naz Reid is averaging less minutes and a DNP. When he does play he is playing at the 4. Timberwolves are in need of better guard play and already have two all star centers. Should be able to get Naz in a three team trade with the rockets or Raptors for a guard or two.

Jeremiah Robinson-Earl- Shoots 36.3% from 3 on 3.3 attempts per game in career. 6’9 with a 6’10 wingspan. Block percent of 1.3%. Contests 42.5% of shots at the rim. Opponents shoot 5.6% below their average when JRE contents a shot. He is young but plays with heart. Attended Villanova and knows how to play team ball and defense. Should work with the Pels’ values and mindset.

-it’s no secret the Thunder are hoarding picks. JRE is playing 5 less minutes this year and could easily be out of the rotation next year when Cher Holmgrom is healthy. Could be available for a second round pick or 2

Mike Muscala- Shot 42.9% from 3 on 3.8 attempts per game last year. 6’10 with a 7’1 wingspan. Block percent of 4.1%. Contests 41.3% of shots at the rim. Opponents shoot 15.3% below their average when contests a shot. He plays hard and somehow defends well even though he's not the most athletic. He could run Pick n Pops with Zion and BI that would be deadly. He is a little older and could be motivated to go and get a ring for his career.

-Mike Muscala is 31 and Thunder would be fine without him. Definitely could get him for a second rounder or two. Maybe even would be interested in Jaxson Hayes potential and size.

(Will work once its December 15th)

Kelly Olynyk- Shoots 37% from 3 on 3.3 attempts per game in his career. 6’11 with a 6’10 wingspan. Blocks percent of 2.2%. Contests 43.7% of shots at the rim. Opponents shoot 4.3% below their average when contests a shot. Kelly also averages 3.3 deflections per 36(90th percentile) Kelly is a work horse and a glue guy. Can play with Nance or JV or by himself. Having an AMAZING season so far with the Jazz. He is an international player so he fits what the Pelicans look for.

-Jazz are winning two many games and Kelly is too old for the Jazz’s new timeline. Should be available so jazz can win less games. Jazz are also looking to stockpile picks. Should be available for 2 second round picks. Jazz could also be interested in Hayes' size and potential and Garret Temple's veteran locker room presence.

(Will work once its December 15th)

PJ Washington- Shoots 37.5% from 3 on 4.4 attempts per game in his career. 6’7 with a 7’2.5 wingspan. Block percent of 3.3%. Contest 40.1% of shots at the rim. Opponents shoot 1.6% below their average when contests a shot. PJ also averages 2.8 deflections per 36(80th percentile). He would be great next to JV or Nance. Can bring energy off the bench and create his own shot. Played college in the south so he fits what the Pelicans like.

-PJ is a pretty good piece for the Hornets. Not sure how available he is. But he is definitely not untouchable. May be available for some second round picks. Could be interested in Hayes and Kira Lewis.

Nerlans Noel- 6’11 with a 7’3.75 wingspan. Block percent of 5.5%. Contests 48.5% of shots at the rim. Opponents shoot 10.8% below their average when Noel contests a shot. Noel also averages 4.4 deflections per 36(98th percentile). Those Defense Numbers are ELITE. Good size and strength-could be an answer to Anthony Davis, Jokic, Ayton, and KAT in the playoffs. He clearly has integrity in his defensive game. Played college in the south so he fits what the Pelicans like.

-Has only played THREE GAMES this year and only due to other players minor injuries. The Pistons definitely do not need him. Definitely should be available for a second or round 2.

Richaun Holmes- 6’9 with a 7’1.5 wingspan. Block percent of 3.3%. Contest 45.4% of shots at the rim. Opponents shoot 9.1% below their average when contests a shot. Really good athlete and very explosive. He is nearing the end of his prime after spending it at a disappointing Kings team. Now they are starting to give up on him. The Pelicans showing him they want him and giving him a chance at a title could unleash his fullest form. Played college in the south so he fits what the Pelicans like.

-His minutes have been halved and has a DNP. Kings are having a disappointing start and could be desperate to make a change to the roster. Could be interested in Devonte Graham due to lack of quality bench guard play. Could be interested in a few second round picks.

Now, back to guards. Who is up for grabs that shoots and defends better than Devonte Graham? Josh Richardson and Malik Beasley. Both the Spurs and Jazz are winning more games than they would like this season. They have both previously claimed their guards to be available for 1st round picks. However the Jazz Claimed the same for Bogdanovic and got no picks for him. Offering Devonte Graham and 2-3 second round picks should get one of the two teams to bite. The Pels will be getting back a 6’5 guard who defends better and shoots more consistently than Devonte Graham for cheap. It’s a no brainer.

Richardson shot 44.4% from 3 and 94.6% from the line for the spurs last year with 2.3 assists. 6’5.5 with a 6’10 wingspan. 2.4 deflections per 36. Decent rim protection. Can guard 1-4.

-Spurs are winning too many games. Richardson’s minutes have been halved. Easy swap for DG and some seconds.

Beasley averaged 38.8% from 3 and 84.5% from the line over the last three seasons with 2 assists. 6’4 with a 6’7 wingspan. Can guard 1-4. Hardly fouls. Younger.

-Jazz didn't even get a first for Bogdanovic. Should bite for 2 seconds OR easy trade for Beasley and Olynyk for a first rounder.

Graham is not being played as a creator/ point guard so his assist numbers are falling and aren't really needed. These other two guards can shoot better and still get similar assist numbers while strengthening the Pelicans defense. They won’t be targeted on defense like Devonte is. They both have 4-5 inches on him and can decently defend 1-4. Both make way more sense playing in the Pelicans system where most players are 6’7 and create lineups with small ball lineups that are actually pretty big. They are both just way better fits.