The Pelicans have seemed to be one of the most active teams in the trade market the past few weeks as they desperately search for a talented big man to play alongside Anthony Davis. I mean when their only other true center options are Omer Asik and Alexis Ajinca can you blame them?
While they have been firmly entrenched in the Jahlil Okafor sweepstakes, Michael Scotto of Basketball Insiders reported Monday that they have been in serious discussions for a trade to acquire Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez.
Sources: Nets and Pelicans discussed a Brook Lopez trade for Tyreke Evans, Langston Galloway, Tim Frazier & a pick. https://t.co/GUIMWtPhc3
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) February 13, 2017
According to Scotto, the current package includes Tyreke Evans, Langston Galloway, Tim Frazier and a protected 2018 1st round pick.
One would assume that the prospective pick would be lottery protected which would be a good safety net for the Pelicans if they make a deal.
This trade would make some sense on both sides as Lopez is a talented center in his prime that can score in a variety of ways and allow for maximum offensive spacing with his rare ability for a player of his position to shoot the three ball. He is shooting just under 34 percent this season.
He has one more year and $22.8 million left on his current deal before becoming a free agent in 2018. That would give the organization time to see how well he meshes with Davis.
This deal wouldn’t be ideal for the Nets, as they would basically be trading their most valuable trade chip to have a couple more rotational guards (they have plenty) in Galloway and Frazier on a cheap contract for the next year and take a few month look at whether they would want to re-sign and pay big money to talented yet oft-injured guard Tyreke Evans who becomes a free agent this summer.
This trade would be great for New Orleans and the Nets just might do it if they can’t find anything better and want to move on from Lopez.
