Brook Lopez to Pelicans picking up traction

[Moranis]

http://www.basketballinsiders.com/brook-lopez-headlines-pelicans-and-nets-trade-talks/

Evans, Galloway, Frazier, 2018 protected 1st for Lopez is basic framework

[BitterJim]

The Pelicans would have to be stupid to include an unprotected pick

Luckily for the Nets, they are, so we'll see if they do indeed go for it

[wdleehi]

Depending on the protection, this is good for the Celtics. 


Lopez was the only player on the Nets that had a shot of being attractive to top FA. 

[wdleehi]

The Pelicans would have to be stupid to include an unprotected pick

Luckily for the Nets, they are, so we'll see if they do indeed go for it

It does say "protected" and is for 2018. 

[jambr380]

You would think the Nets would really try to get one good first (late lottery) or two okay firsts for Lopez. Not sure what the protection is on the '18 first or if the Nets have high hopes for Tyreke, but if the Nets are tearing it down [officially], they need to get as much as they can (and get as many chances in the draft as they can).

[Eja117]

Do these "league sources" have names?

[hpantazo]

This would be great for the Celtics. Tyreke Evans is an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season, no way he stays in Brooklyn. On top of that, the pick is reportedly in 2018 so there is no chance it helps them next season.

If this rumor is true, then I'm guessing the Pelicans lost out on Okafor.

[RockinRyA]

They shouldve traded Lopez 2 years ago. Like I said before, sure the Celtics will get better picks, but they will have a better rebuild path. Now look at them.

[green_bballers13]

I don't think it really matters all that much for us. The Nets are clearly the worst team in the NBA with Lopez. They won't be any better without him. We have two very valuable assets from them in the way of draft picks, but that ends next year. There's almost no way they are not a deep lottery team in 2018 as well.

[footey]

This would be great for the Celtics. Tyreke Evans is an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season, no way he stays in Brooklyn. On top of that, the pick is reportedly in 2018 so there is no chance it helps them next season.

If this rumor is true, then I'm guessing the Pelicans lost out on Okafor.

If Evans plays well there and is offered a great contract, why wouldn't he stay?

Hard to imagine the Nets playing worse. I'd just assume they stand still and keep stinking!!

[Tr1boy]

nets need this trade and seal the deal for the Celts

i love our gm King i mean Ainge

[celticsclay]

If this happens it is probably another team out of the Philly big men chase. Does this mean we could backdoor into Noel?

Porltand got Nurkic, Denver got Plumlee and then Pelicans would not want Davis and Lopez and a philly big.

Only place still on the list that would not have done a trade is Chicago.

[slamtheking]

I don't think it really matters all that much for us. The Nets are clearly the worst team in the NBA with Lopez. They won't be any better without him. We have two very valuable assets from them in the way of draft picks, but that ends next year. There's almost no way they are not a deep lottery team in 2018 as well.

been saying that since before the 2016 draft.  Nets will continue to stink as long as we hold their draft picks.  they have none of their picks to accrue cheap, young talent with real potential and as long as they stink they're not a draw for good FAs (never mind top FAs)

[kraidstar]

Honestly, reading about rumors like this I feel bad for the Pelicans fans.

They have a near-transcendent talent in Anthony Davis, and yet they are thinking of sending a first-rounder, as well as one of their only decent guards (Evans) for Brook Lopez.

If they do acquire Lopez, they are further hampering their ability to improve in the future. I really don't see how they can build a contender around Davis. I would be very angry with the organization if I were him.

Has there ever been a more hopeless situation for a team with a young superstar?

[DefenseWinsChamps]

Small ball and streaky shooting is a great equalizer to mediocrity. Just ask ... us from 2014. 

Let me explain. Lavert and RHJ don't look like all-stars, but they do look like solid role players that are versatile in many ways. But with Lin out, they have relied on WHITEHEAD as their primary creator.

Evans and Frazier would immediately be the best two creators on this team. This team would be able to roll out a lineup of Evans-Galloway-Lavert-RHJ-Booker. That's not a playoff team, but that is an interesting small ball team that could switch everything and occasionally get hot from outside.

That is a demonstratively better team than this year. In this NBA, if you don't have the talent to fit a big man, you are better if you go small ball with lesser players. It's just the way it is.

And I'm still a pretty big believer in Evans game. This guy has upped his 3 point shooter and is still a top level driver and athlete.