Pelica Debrief
Fansided

10 Trade Exception Options for the Pelicans

By Preston Ellis

Mar 31, 2017; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) celebrates from the bench with forward DeMarcus Cousins (0) during the fourth quarter of a game against the Sacramento Kings at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Kings 117-89. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2017; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) celebrates from the bench with forward DeMarcus Cousins (0) during the fourth quarter of a game against the Sacramento Kings at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Kings 117-89. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 2
Next

General Manager Dell Demps wisely used the Demarcus Cousins trade to acquire a Trade Exception in exchange for Buddy Hield’s $3.6 million dollar annual contract.

Here is a list of ten players currently under contract, eligible to fill the void:

Will Barton

The former Trailblazer and University of Memphis Pouncer (I know, hilarious) is guilty of simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

With young stars like Jamal Murray and Gary Harris, and first round pick Malik Beasley waiting in the wings, there aren’t enough minutes to go around.

This, in addition to Barton being in the last year of his deal, makes him the most ideal candidate.

Troy Daniels

The fourth year journeyman is the spark plug off the bench the Pelicans found in Jordan Crawford.

But you can never have too much shooting, right?

Where Daniels struggles in predictability and unreliable defense, he makes up for red hot shooting. Daniels shot a scorching 47% and 48% in his previous two seasons before settling for a meager 39% in 2017.

Daniels has never averaged more than 17 minutes per season, and is falling out of favor in Memphis with newcomers Andrew Harrison and Wayne Selden Jr taking the bulk of his minutes.

More from Pelican Debrief

KJ McDaniels

KJ is best known for his infamous one year deal signed with the 76ers in his rookie season after being selected 32nd overall.

However, KJ has untapped potential.  He’s more than effective in transition, can finish at the rim, and has the size and leaping ability to disrupt offensive wing players and give us highlight reel dunks like these.

After only averaging seven minutes per game with the Rockets, he was moved to Brooklyn in a salary dump.  McDaniels scored in double figures in six of his final nine games after numerous DNP Coach’s Decisions.

The young man needs minutes.  The Pelicans can give him that.  The Nets are desperate for picks, and a future 2nd will be all it would take to pry the former Tiger away.

Emmanuel Mudiay 

Mar 31, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Emmanuel Mudiay (0) is defended by New Orleans Pelicans guard Jordan Hamilton (25) during the first quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Emmanuel Mudiay (0) is defended by New Orleans Pelicans guard Jordan Hamilton (25) during the first quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

This one’s a long shot.

The Nuggets are in a rebuild and yet Mudiay found himself third on the depth chart behind lottery pick Jamal Murray, and elder statesman Jameer Nelson!?

It shouldn’t matter how well Jameer Nelson plays. When you are on the outside of the playoffs looking in, and you are giving meaningful minutes and reps to a 35 year old player, odds are your future in Denver is in doubt.

Per 36 minuts Mudiay’s numbers (15 pts, six assists) are eerily similar to Jrue Holiday’s (15 and seven) this past season.  However, he shot a dreadful 38% from the field.

With Murray assuming the point guard of the future mantle, Mudiay can be had for a lottery protected first in 2018.  It would be a mistake to give up on the Zaire native just two years into his NBA career.

Nik Stauskus

Stauskus showed great improvement with the 76ers in 2017.  His development as a shooter (38% from 3), coupled with his improving offensive game and ball handling make him an interesting player to target.

It’s irrefutable he is only getting better according to John Palowski, and can even take minutes at point guard.

Sauce Castillo is a beyond abysmal defender, but paired next to Jrue Holiday might just be the break he needs to take his game to the next level.

Home/Pelicans News