It's too much of a step backwards for the Pelicans after their playoff run, which, with a healthy Boogie, could have gone deep with Golden State.
In other words, after this trade the Pelicans absolutely would have to worry about re-signing Rondo and Cousins. When you lose AD and Jrue and then let Rondo go too....the team is just all the way gone. A recovering Porzingis (when?), Horford and Rozier won't cut it... The picks are nice, but this is a trade to make when on the absolute verge of losing Davis, not before that point.
If they trade AD this summer they have to re-sign Boogie (even if they added Horford and Porzingis) and then be patient with his recovery....but in the meantime they need a true healthy star to keep the success going.
What if Boogie isn't staying? There is a chance he goes to Lakers with PG. Also Pelicans have seen both sides to Rondo they may not want to resign him. If those two things happen its
Holiday, Moore, Hill, Mirotic, Davis
Vs
Rozier, Lee, Mirotic, Horford, Porzingis.
Both lineups fall of course to Rockets and Warriors. The second Pelican team at least has cap space and good picks coming up to improve the club. The first team is in no man's land with a super star who will probably ask for a trade his last year.
I think if Boogie isn't staying they'll hold on even tighter to AD until they're forced to trade. With a guy like AD I don't think his value will drop much in a forced trade scenario because the number of teams competing will keep the value up as high as it should be.
Not saying your trade wouldn't work out in the long run, but it just would be a big gamble for the future and also a step back next year.
If he's going to demand a trade, then I think they'll wait and trade him at that juncture....there would be so many teams competing with offers...I think they could do better than the above deal, even if it's just a fully recovered Porzingis who is playing well and a Sac. pick that turns out to be #2, 3 or 4 in next year's draft...or other deals entirely. I'm not sure the timing on AD's contract so I can't speak to that...My impression was they don't have to rush...and I think they can do better.....and if they do something this summer I think they can ask for a healthy superstar as well as draft picks...I think Porzingis needs to establish/re-establish himself as a big time, durable star before giving up AD for him.
Giannis, Kyrie, Towns, plus draft picks and or other young potential stars. I don't think Rozier is there yet value wise and Horford's age plus contract are off putting.
To get AD at this point would require a huge cost. My own idea was Irving, Brown and Horford for AD and Holiday...which I can't say is worth it, but certainly yes if the Celtics think they know Irving's future plans don't include Boston. Irving much closer to health than Porzingis. Brown more appealing for next year's Pels than the future picks. That's how scary I think the cost would be. Danny might say no, though I kind of like it as I'm such a fan of Jrue Holiday, of course AD, and would enjoy watching Rozier continue in Boston...
Jrue, Rozier, Smart, Larkin
Hayward, Smart, Bird
Tatum, Hayward, Morris, Smart, Ojeleye
AD, Morris, Tatum, Theis, Ojeleye
Baynes, AD, Theis
free agent back up center
pick 27: Spellman, Khyri Thomas, DiVenzo, Okogie
Danny probably says no to this deal...And Pelicans say no too unless Irving shocks everyone and says yes I want to be a Pelican for the next 5 years...
Let's revisit your trade after Porzingis shows signs of full recovery....