Weird Pelicans draft pick situation

[Celtics2021]

Normally teams that miss the playoffs get better draft picks, and teams that make the playoffs get worse draft picks, and thus management and player goals are often misaligned for teams on the cusp of playoff contention,

However, the Pelicans have a weird situation, and all their eggs are in the playoff basket.  Firstly, they owe their pick to Portland, but only if it is between picks 5 and 14.  Make the playoffs, and as of today the Pels would pick 15th, allowing them to keep their pick this year.

But wait, there’s more.  If the Lakers pick between 1-10, the Pels get that pick, but if it’s 11-30, it goes to Memphis.  If the season ended today, the Lakers would be in the 11th spot.  However, if the Pelicans make the playoffs, as described above, the Lakers would move to the 10th spot, as the Pels would have knocked either the Clippers or Wolves into the lottery.

In other words, if the Pels get through the play-in games, not only do they make the playoffs, they would also get two picks in the 10-15 range, whereas missing the playoffs also knocks them out of the first round.

[JSD]

TP interesting scenario here

[gouki88]

TP, this is a cool post, and one that I would never really have thought to look into given my disinterest in the draft now that the Celtics don't have any FRP.

It makes New Orleans quite an interesting team. Say they do land picks 10 and 15, all the while developing Herb Jones, Alexander-Walker, Hayes and Trey Murphy. Even without Zion that could make for an incredibly interesting young group of role players to support Ingram, McCollum and Valanciunas.

I am still absolutely filthy we did not draft Herb Jones.

[Smartacus]

TP, this is a cool post, and one that I would never really have thought to look into given my disinterest in the draft now that the Celtics don't have any FRP.

It makes New Orleans quite an interesting team. Say they do land picks 10 and 15, all the while developing Herb Jones, Alexander-Walker, Hayes and Trey Murphy. Even without Zion that could make for an incredibly interesting young group of role players to support Ingram, McCollum and Valanciunas.

I am still absolutely filthy we did not draft Herb Jones.

Alexander Walker was traded to the Jazz at the deadline but otherwise I agree that New Orleans is developing a nice young core supported by 3 complimentary B+ to A- vets.

IMO Zion is going to start to face some serious heat for quitting on this roster. People saw right through the Rich Paul Anthony Davis situation and were not fooled by Ben Simmons for that matter either. Harden's reputation has been run through the dirt, although in Harden's case winning should bring him right back to elite status.

Public opinion is usually cyclical and in the age the 24 news cycle every angle is poured over with a fine tooth comb. Zion acting petulant and letting his body fall apart while his team making strides without him is not going to look worse by the day. This could actually be a case where the public sides with the team more than the player.

[Donoghus]

That's pretty hilarious.

[libermaniac]

You are forgetting about the lottery with respect to the Lakers pick.

[johnnygreen]

I was wondering why New Orleans made the trade for McCollum. Maybe it had to do with trying to leapfrog the Lakers, and getting that pick.

[gouki88]

TP, this is a cool post, and one that I would never really have thought to look into given my disinterest in the draft now that the Celtics don't have any FRP.

It makes New Orleans quite an interesting team. Say they do land picks 10 and 15, all the while developing Herb Jones, Alexander-Walker, Hayes and Trey Murphy. Even without Zion that could make for an incredibly interesting young group of role players to support Ingram, McCollum and Valanciunas.

I am still absolutely filthy we did not draft Herb Jones.

Alexander Walker was traded to the Jazz at the deadline but otherwise I agree that New Orleans is developing a nice young core supported by 3 complimentary B+ to A- vets.

IMO Zion is going to start to face some serious heat for quitting on this roster. People saw right through the Rich Paul Anthony Davis situation and were not fooled by Ben Simmons for that matter either. Harden's reputation has been run through the dirt, although in Harden's case winning should bring him right back to elite status.

Public opinion is usually cyclical and in the age the 24 news cycle every angle is poured over with a fine tooth comb. Zion acting petulant and letting his body fall apart while his team making strides without him is not going to look worse by the day. This could actually be a case where the public sides with the team more than the player.

If that wasn't evidence of me not paying enough attention to non-Celtics teams I dunno what is!

Agree that this is a bad look for Zion. Especially with guys like JJ Redick (someone who doesn't seem to be a troublemaker) coming out and stating what he did.

[RodyTur10]

I was wondering why New Orleans made the trade for McCollum. Maybe it had to do with trying to leapfrog the Lakers, and getting that pick.

CJ McCollum has had a great start in New Orleans in his first 8 games, truly playing like an All Star.

CJ McCollum: 27/6/6 (52/42/77) and 2.8 A/TO, 62 TS%, +5.9 NR. (record 4-4)

[Moranis]

I was wondering why New Orleans made the trade for McCollum. Maybe it had to do with trying to leapfrog the Lakers, and getting that pick.

Because he is an all star level player in his prime that didn't cost them that much to acquire. 

[gouki88]

I was wondering why New Orleans made the trade for McCollum. Maybe it had to do with trying to leapfrog the Lakers, and getting that pick.

CJ McCollum has had a great start in New Orleans in his first 8 games, truly playing like an All Star.

CJ McCollum: 27/6/6 (52/42/77) and 2.8 A/TO, 62 TS%, +5.9 NR. (record 4-4)

He always excelled as the lead ball-handler when Lillard was out

[johnnygreen]

When I saw this topic about a month ago, I so desperately want to see this whole thing come to fruition. With the Lakers being officially eliminated from the playoffs, that became the first domino to fall in this scenario. I can't wait for the draft lottery now, where I hope the Lakers get the first pick and have to hand it off to New Orleans.

[Celtics2021]

When I saw this topic about a month ago, I so desperately want to see this whole thing come to fruition. With the Lakers being officially eliminated from the playoffs, that became the first domino to fall in this scenario. I can't wait for the draft lottery now, where I hope the Lakers get the first pick and have to hand it off to New Orleans.

Yeah, it looks like the Pels are going to come out ahead with the Lakers pick.  Curious to see whether they can pull of a play-in upset from the 9th seed and wind up with pick 15 as well. It would make the Blazers’ return for McCollum terrible.