When sports news is slow during the dog days of summer, we'd usually see an NBA trade involving a current all-star as big news, but last week, this was not the case. I'm referring to the Jrue Holiday deal, which sent to Nerlens Noel and a 2014 first-rounder to Philadelphia in exchange for the 23-year-old point guard becoming a Pelican. Maybe it was the Nets going all in that night or the dozens of other trades or even the epic Bill Simmons-Doc Rivers verbal war, but the Holiday trade has flown way under the radar considering what he brings to a young franchise.
First off, let's looks at how Holiday fits into the Pelicans backcourt. He and Eric Gordon form a very solid backcourt on paper. The lengthy Holiday is an above average defender and will pick up the slack of Gordon on that end. Of course Holiday will start at the point, which would move Greivis Vasquez to the bench. Vasquez was one of the league's most improved players last season, so it's uncertain how he would cope with a bench role after a career year. But Vasquez as sixth man would be a nice move for the Pelicans. Much like Jarrett Jack in Golden State, Vasquez could be a combo guard who is comfortable with or without the ball in crunch time. But what about those Tyreke Evans rumors?
The presence of Evans would officially mean New Orleans has a crowded backcourt. The four-year/$44 million deal that the Pelicans offered Evans is likely contingent on his willingness to play small forward. On a team already full of ball-handlers, would Evans be of any help? It's unclear if he'd be anything more than an insurance policy for the fragile Gordon. But using him at small forward would give the Pelicans a non-guard who can create his own shot. Ryan Anderson is a great rebounder and three-point shooter, but he can't put the ball on the floor. This would make Evans a nice foil to Anderson on the opposite wing.
Finally, we cannot talk about New Orleans without mentioning Anthony Davis. The number one overall pick from 2012 is the most important person in this franchise. After a good, but sometimes hobbled rookie year, Davis should be ready for a leap next year. And although he's a future all-star, Davis may not be a complete player until his fourth season. In Davis, the Pelicans have a franchise cornerstone. He's destined to become a 20-10, shot-blocking monster, but until then, he and the Pelicans will be one of those teams that are just "not there yet."
So will New Orleans be a playoff team next year? In a word, no. I like their team, but the West is just too tough. For instance, the two playoff teams from last year that are the most uncertain to be back next year are the Lakers and Nuggets. Assuming these two teams have lousy offseasons and don't look postseason bound, a re-tooled Mavs team and solid Blazers team will probably take their place. Throw in a healthy Kevin Love in Minnesota and the Pelicans are clearly on the outside looking in, along with other young teams like Utah and Phoenix.
As we've learned from Charlotte, switching mascots from the Hornets is not always a good thing. But with a core lead by The Brow and That Boy Jrue, New Orleans could be in a lot worse shape. Good luck, you Pelicans.
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