10 Trade Exception Options for the Pelicans
Tomas Satoransky
Satoransky saw his minutes decline sharply after the additions of both Trey Burke and Brandon Jennings. After ending the season fourth on the point guard depth chart, it seems realistic to expect the Wizards will try to move on from the 26 year old.
Scott Brooks did try Satoransky at small forward in small ball lineups, but admitted he wasn’t comfortable in the role.
What Satoransky lacks in athleticism he makes up for in size (6’7), basketball IQ, and energy. He’s a willing defender with ball handling capability who can create his own offense and rebound.
Justin Hamilton
Again, the Nets are desperate for any assets they can acquire, and a second round pick should be considered a king’s salary in exchange for the stretch five big man.
Hamilton has the potential to be a rich man’s Jason Smith. His offensive rating scored higher than Brook Lopez’s, and he shot 30% from three (better than Anthony Davis’ 29%).
Hamilton will not tip the scale by any means, but he can offer a punch off the bench should the Pelicans find the ability to move on from Alexis Ajinca and Omer Asik.
Noah Vonleh
The Portland Trailblazers have a jaw dropping $140 million dollars dedicated to their 2017 roster. Experts will point to Allen Crabbe, Evan Turner, Moe Harkless and Myers Leonard as the candidates most likely to be moved, but if the Blazers want any flexibility, one player will not be enough.
Noah Vonleh showed promised once Jusurf Nurkic was brought to town, and is ever improving at the tender age of 21. Paul Allen certainly has the pockets to pay deep into the luxury tax, but after finishing 41-41, is it really worth it? With Harkless, Al-Farouq Aminu, Ed Davis, and Myers Leonard all capable of manning the four spot, Vonleh can be pried away from the Blazers in a salary saving move provided the Pels include the correct draft price.
Lucas Nogueira
Nogueira is a legitimate defender and a quality backup center.
He’s not likely to find pl
aying time going forward with young rookie Jakob Poeltl, Jonas Valancunias, and the rumored returning Serge Ibaka.
The Raptors are already flirting with the luxury tax line at $80 million guaranteed for 2017, and with Serge Ibaka and Kyle Lowry demanding max or near max contracts, the Raptors will be forced to cut salary somewhere.
Nogueira averaged three blocks per 36 minutes, improved the Raptors offensive rating, and drastically improved their defensive rating. The Raptors continued success at the center position in absence of Bismack Biyombo largely came as a result of the young man from Brazil.
Shabazz Napier
Napier is stuck in a rut for the third time in his brief career.
He spent 2016-17 watching two young stars in Damian Lilliard and CJ McCollum and while he averaged an impressive 15 points, five assists, five rebounds and two steals per 36 minutes, there is no way he ever sees that much playing time.
Napier often bodied up against opposing teams best offensive guards while seeing minutes with turnstiles like Dame and CJ, and carries veteran intelligence having seen four years at the University of Connecticut.
With his contract set to expire at season’s end, you can bet the Blazers would be willing to give him away for a future second round pick or less.