How the Pelicans Could Trade Tyreke Evans

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Trade# 1: Getting into the Draft

Oct 30, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; Indiana Pacers power forward David West (21) is guarded by New Orleans Pelicans power forward Anthony Davis (23) during the first half of a game at New Orleans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Pelicans Receive: David West, CJ Miles, Chris Copeland, 11th Pick in the 2015 draft

Pacers Receive: Tyreke Evans, Ryan Anderson

Why the Pelicans do it:

The major asset here is the 11th pick in the upcoming draft. That pick would likely guarantee the Pelicans one of either:

Willie Cauley Stien: C, Elite defender, insane athleticism (Comparison: Tyson Chandler)

Kelly Oubre Jr.: SF/PF that plays great perimeter defense and can shoot threes, also a solid passer and playmaker, but inconsistent as a go-to scorer. (Comparison: Andre Iguodala)

Frank Kaminsky: Stretch-four, 6’10” and can defend centers if necessary (Comparison: younger Ryan Anderson, slightly better defender)

Drafting one of these players would be huge for the Pelicans. If they draft Willie-Trill they could drop Omer Asik, and they would have around 10 million to spend in free agency as a result.

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Lets say they offer Loul Deng a 20/2 and convince him to opt out, that means they would start next season with a starting lineup of Jrue Holiday–Eric Gordon-Loul Deng-Anthony Davis-Willie Cauley-Stien with David West, Norris Cole, CJ Watson and Quincy Pondexter coming off the bench.

David West is really only included in this deal to match salaries, but he would be a great veteran presence off the bench and would return to the team he spent his prime years playing for. He’s also a free agent after this season, so his 12 million dollar contract won’t hurt our flexibility long-term.

Why the Pacers do it:

The Pacers want to win now. Paul George will return next season three years older than Anthony Davis and want to contend. Lance Stephenson succeeded with the Pacers as a secondary ball handler to him, and Tyreke Evans is as close to Lance Stephenson as you can get.

George Hill is fine as a three and D guy, but he isn’t a great primary playmaker. Tyreke Evans was the Pelican’s primary ball-handler after Jrue Holiday’s injury and he had multiple 10-12 assist games while leading their offense.

The biggest thing the Pacers offense lacked last season was penetration, and Tyreke Evans will provide even more slashing ability than Lance Stephenson did a season ago.

May 18, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Lance Stephenson (1) drives to the basket against Miami Heat forward LeBron James (6) in game one of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats Miami 107-96. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Tyreke is also a tough scrappy player who will fit in with the gritty team mentality Larry Bird and Frank Vogel have crafted for the Pacers.

The advantage is that he won’t create the same chemistry issues Stevenson was blamed for during the 13′-14′ season, which will be appreciated by the Pacers vets.

Additionally they get to replace David West with Ryan Anderson. West would be fine as a bench veteran or a 6th man, but he doesn’t provide great defense, and he can’t shoot threes.

To be a valuable NBA player in today’s modern league you need to do one of those things, which makes guys like David West, Zach Randolph, and David Lee a dying breed.

The Pacers would still be able to keep their defensive core of Hill-George-Hilbert intact while also massively improving their offense by bringing in a stretch-four and an expert slasher and playmaker.

Next: The Next Pau Gasol?

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