NBA Trade Deadline 2015: Will the Pelicans Make a Move?
By Mike Delayo
A lot has changed for mankind since its entrance onto planet Earth. Technologies have evolved, languages have multiplied, and civilizations have come and gone more frequently than Brett Favre.
One thing that has not changed?
The fact that humans absolutely love their gossip. As the February 19th NBA trade deadline approaches, NBA fans ranging from show goers to savants will be glued to their devices waiting to see if their favorite team is being talked about.
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Dec 12, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Ryan Anderson (33) reacts after making a three point basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Cavaliers 119-114. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
The Pelicans’ core looks like it will be staying put including Ryan Anderson, who has been a hot trade commodity for most of his career.
I would be shocked to see any of the top eight players depart before the end of the season, but nothing can be ruled out until the deadline has come to a close.
If a move is to be made to attempt to bolster the Pels’ playoff chances, it will most likely be for a backup point guard.
Since Holiday has been out and Tyreke has taken on starting responsibility, the backup situation has been unstable.
General Manager Dell Demps gave Nate Wolters two ten day contracts and just signed Toney Douglas to his first on Wednesday.
These transactions are a sign that Jimmer Fredette, who has been with the team all season, is not someone New Orleans is 100% committed to in the future.
If Toney Douglas does not blow the roof off of Utah and Indiana in the last remaining games before the All-Star Break, I do not expect him to stick around.
Jameer Nelson and Mo Williams are the two names that come to mind as potential targets for the Pelicans.
Both are proven veterans with sizable playoff experience, traits that only Quincy Pondexter can claim on the current roster.
Throw in that they are both perimeter threats with relatively high basketball IQs and either becomes a desirable asset for a team in need.
John Salmons, Jimmer Fredette and Jeff Withey would be the most likely trade chips in any deadline transaction. Using ESPN’s NBA Trade Machine (which can determine if a trade can actually work or not), I threw together the two most likely deals:
Nelson was a key cog to the Dwight Howard led Orlando Magic teams in the last decade. Although his shooting numbers have declined this season, he still has the ability to draw defenders to him at the three point line.
His facilitating and his shot making ability make him a solid bench contributor, and one that could prove valuable for the Pelicans.
Mo Williams likes to put the ball in the bucket, no matter what it takes. At least one of Tyreke Evans and Jrue Holiday will be on the floor for most of the time in New Orleans, so the ability to be productive without being a primary ball handler is key.
Williams is on the floor to put up shots, and he would not still be in the league if he was not pretty good at it.
He scored 52 points in a game this season!
A more consistent threat would be nice, but the Pelicans lack a true heat check shooter like Anthony Morrow this year. Adding Mo Williams would just provide another weapon to a sometimes stagnant offense.
These two moves may not ever see the light of day, but they do represent a possibility for the Pelicans. As the deadline draws closer, expect more and more trade rumors to flood the NBA Twitter-verse.
If history has taught us anything it is that big trades may remain dormant, but the speculation around them will spread like wild fire……..