Per NO Pelicians site: (Trade Suggest) Get Ryan Anderson, Koufos and WCStein

[Who]

I like that new-look Pelicans team

PG: Jrue Holiday
SG: Courtney Lee
SF: Rudy Gay
PF: Jordan Mickey
 C: Anthony Davis

Athletic group. Two shot-blockers. Size on the perimeter. Top defensive backcourt. Strong defensive foundation to build around. Good rebounding. Three shot-creators in Davis, Gay and Holiday. Two shooters / finishers in Lee and Mickey. Pretty good offensive team.

I think that is a big improvement over their current situation.

It would probably be Gay at the 4 and Tyreke Evans at the 3 (or AD at the 4 and Asik at the 5), there's no way they'd start Mickey

I agree that they won't do it and will instead do as you say here ...

But I think their best choice is to this. This is what I think they should do.
Rather than what they would do = which I agree 100% with you that they would start Asik or Tyreke instead.

Then use Tyreke and Asik off the bench. My reasons:

(1) Asik = I want Anthony Davis at center. I don't like how Asik + Davis play together. I want Davis around the rim defensively as often as possible. Not chasing shooters 20-25 feet from the basket. Asik makes New Orleans too slow. More lethal with extra speed.
(2) I like Tyreke as 6th man. Less hands to feed on offense (Gay, Davis, Holiday in starting unit already). Also offers stable bench production (Tyreke alongside Asik) to build high quality bench.
(3) I want Davis to have some help in the paint. Gay doesn't provide that. Mickey brings that with superior interior play. Create more of a defense + rebounding team mindset.

I like that Gay at PF lineup with Tyreke on the floor at SF as New Orleans' late game lineup. Lots of weapons. Very difficult to defend.

I think this is the best way to develop their whole team & team identity. As well as Mickey as an individual who I think is a valuable piece of this trade.

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I am not high on Mickey's ability to contribute right away. Not as a starter. But I'd throw him straight into the deep end on this team. With Ryan Anderson gone, I don't see any quality big man alternatives ... so I'll take the most talented young guy who I believe has the potential to become a quality starter in future and roll with him. Let him learn his lessons as we go along. Probably only as a 16-22mpg type guy.

I do think Mickey can be an adequate backup PF right away.