With the loss of DeMarcus Cousins, the New Orleans Pelicans are now scrambling around to find the much-needed help to keep themselves at bay for a playoff spot. Cousins was registering 25.2 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game prior to the season-ending Achilles tear — numbers that are impossible to replace in a snap.
Still, that's what the Pels front office should and would have to do if they don't want to get that dreaded pink slip. General manager Dell Demps appeared to make progress Tuesday night when it was reported that they had made a deal with the Chicago Bulls to acquire scoring stretch four, Nikola Mirotic, until it got called off.
Mitch Lawrence of Sporting Ways detailed what axed the trade:
“Mirotic wants his $12.5 million team option for next season picked up — he can veto the deal if it isn’t. The Pels don’t want to guarantee the $12.5 million because of luxury tax concerns.”
“We’ll see what happens with Mirotic, who likes the idea of playing again with Rajon Rondo, the former Bull, but doesn’t like the idea of losing his Bird rights… we’ll see if the Pels think he’s worth it.”
Due to the uncertainty on the said trade, Demps and his staff are now focusing on two other options — also according to Lawrence in the same article.
“Pels have also been linked to the Hawks' Kent Bazemore and the Lakers’ Jordan Clarkson.”
Like Mirotic, the two playmaking guards can be the added offense they are searching for. Bazemore is a do-it-all swingman that currently averages 12.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.7 steals per game, while Clarkson is a big guard that can make baskets quickly, as evidenced by netting 22.3 points per 36 minutes of play this season.
The Hawks and the Lakers could both be willing participants in such trades, as they are virtually out of playoff contention and are just looking to free up some cap space.
Follow Us
Subscribe