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Absent Anthony Davis (as I suspect they will be), the Pelicans should make Brook Lopez a priority free agent target. He would be the perfect complement and mentor for Zion Williamson. Lopez will stretch the floor with his range (opening the lane for the slashing ZW), his length is something the Pelicans sorely need to be competitive on the backboards should Davis skip out, and his defensive presence would give the Pels a fighting chance against the likes of Giannis, Jokic, Vucevic, Embiid, etal.
Heck, as I think about it, even if 'the Brow' would decide to extend here with the Pelicans, Lopez should still be a priority. What frontcourt in the league would be better than (BL, ZW, AD). Would all this be possible if AD returned? That would depend on what the Pels (and Julius Randal) decide to do with regard to his free agency situation. But a starting lineup that includes: Brook Lopez, Anthony Davis, Zion Williamson, Jrue Holiday and a competent Point Guard (Rajon Rondo, anyone?) would stack up favorably with anyone. And, Davis wouldn't be asked to man up on some of the bigger aforementioned centers in the league (he wouldn't be taking the pounding he's had to, up until now).
How would this Depth Chart stack up in the West?
Center: Brook Lopez, Jahlil Okafor
Forward: Anthony Davis, Christian Wood, Cheick Diallo
Forward: Zion Williamson, Stanley Johnson
Guard: Jrue Holiday, Frank Jackson, Kenrich Williams
Guard: Rajon Rondo, Elfrid Payton (under our terms)
We would still have two players of note under contract on the roster - E'Twaun Moore and Solomon Hill. IMO there is value to Moore's contract, so maybe there could be a trade worked out for both expiring contracts with a second rounder or two coming back this way next year.
If AD could find a better situation than this anywhere (with the Pelicans holding the cards), adios...he's not about winning. Then, I would set my sight on a trade that would somehow involve RJ Barrett or Ja Morant at some level.
Heck, as I think about it, even if 'the Brow' would decide to extend here with the Pelicans, Lopez should still be a priority. What frontcourt in the league would be better than (BL, ZW, AD). Would all this be possible if AD returned? That would depend on what the Pels (and Julius Randal) decide to do with regard to his free agency situation. But a starting lineup that includes: Brook Lopez, Anthony Davis, Zion Williamson, Jrue Holiday and a competent Point Guard (Rajon Rondo, anyone?) would stack up favorably with anyone. And, Davis wouldn't be asked to man up on some of the bigger aforementioned centers in the league (he wouldn't be taking the pounding he's had to, up until now).
How would this Depth Chart stack up in the West?
Center: Brook Lopez, Jahlil Okafor
Forward: Anthony Davis, Christian Wood, Cheick Diallo
Forward: Zion Williamson, Stanley Johnson
Guard: Jrue Holiday, Frank Jackson, Kenrich Williams
Guard: Rajon Rondo, Elfrid Payton (under our terms)
We would still have two players of note under contract on the roster - E'Twaun Moore and Solomon Hill. IMO there is value to Moore's contract, so maybe there could be a trade worked out for both expiring contracts with a second rounder or two coming back this way next year.
If AD could find a better situation than this anywhere (with the Pelicans holding the cards), adios...he's not about winning. Then, I would set my sight on a trade that would somehow involve RJ Barrett or Ja Morant at some level.
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